Pittsburgh Teamies Get Ready for I Made It! Market's Winter Season

Etsy Pittsburgh team members' favorite indie market's winter season offers three great opportunities to avoid the holiday shopping rush! I Made It! Market, our area's (and Los Angeles') unique and most popular indie craft scene event, starts off a trio of crafty bashes with I Made It! Junior at the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh on November 22nd, 12–4pm. December's exciting craft-aganzas start off with I Made It! for the Holidays on December 5th, 12-5pm, at Pittsburgh's Union Project. The Last Minute Market happens On December 19 from 10 am – 6 pm at the Screw Factory in Cleveland, OH, a collaboration with Cleveland Handmade. This is a great opportunity to expand your customer base and network with Cleveland artists.


Come out and support local indie artisans, meet Etsy Pittsburgh crafters, and finish your holiday shopping list with unique Steeltown creations!

Steel Town Crafters Represent at Steampunk Day!

Etsy Pittsburgh members Tamara and Niffer recently delighted in the neo-Victorian funkitude that is Steampunk, recently vending their wares at Brooklyn Indie Market's Second Annual Steampunk Day in late October. There they peddled their handmade fabulosity and took in the Fashion Show and all-around eye-candy!

Tamara had this to say about the day on her blog:

A rift in the space time continuum opened as steampunk fashion invaded Carroll Gardens in the Gowanus neighborhood of Brooklyn. Neither the rain throughout the day, that was downright torrential at times, nor the rerouting of the F train that normally stops around the corner from the market deterred adventuring enthusiasts who turned out in large numbers.

Tam! And Tam's table displaying her repurposed beer bottles decorated with Absinthe ad images.

Outside the red and white striped circus tent, attendees in their steampunk style could be seen strolling along side cars, buses, and modern businesses. Inside, stepping through the doors of the tent transported attendees back in time to an era that exists as an alternate timeline. Shiny brass gears and items inspired by steam powered technology mingle with Victorian fashion. Whimsical wares incorporating this technology with a Victorian aesthetic are the norm in this alternate era and were offered for sale by 20 different vendors.

Niffer!

The event was widely covered by the press and stories can be seen at the following locations: Time Out New York, Steampunk Day at the Brooklyn Indie Market, Metromix New York (the edge of my table is in photo 47/51, to the left of Berit New York, and Niffer can be seen in photo 48/51), nonsociety (scroll right until you find the 10/24 entry), & Celine Gaille's blog La Preneuse de Temps.

Tam, of Barker Bell Heirlooms and Designs, and Niffer, of 19 Moons, are also excited to be attending & vending at the Steampunk World's Fair in May 2010!

America Unchained! Support and Celebrate Local Businesses and Artisans!

On November 21st, 2009, take part in America Unchained, a campaign by the American Business Alliance (AMIBA) in which everyone in the US is encouraged to support only locally-owned independent businesses for the entire day! This is a great opportunity to build awareness of indie artisans and crafters in your local economy, as well as any other non-chain businesses. Whether shopping, eating out, or doing other business for this entire day, AMIBA says, can "maximize the impact of your dollars and inject potentially millions more into the local economy!"


As the holidays and shopping madness fast approach, consider purchasing local handmade gifts for everyone on your list! Did you know that local independent businesses create about three and a half times the local economic activity as chains do?! AMIBA director Jennifer Rocke explains that indie biz "pays local employees, use the goods and services of other local indie biz, and give back to the community far more than chains." According to Rockne, independents generate 70% more local economic impact per square foot than chain stores! Pledging to buy only handmade for the holidays (or anytime) can give a huge boost to your neighborhood's economic well-being. You'll have the perfect opportunity at Pittsburgh's I Made It! for the Holidays at the Union Project on December 5th, when 50 crafty area vendors will gather to vend their handmade goodies!

The choice of what businesses to patronize can have huge and lasting consequences. Take America Unchained on the 21st as a chance to spread the word that small indie businesses like artisans and crafters are critical parts of your cities' cultural, social, and economic impact. Supporting them is better for us and for the community's health and prosperity!

Thanks to Karen Holsopple of Pittsburgh's East End Food Co-op for her article that inspired this one!