Our team is proud to announce that we're one of the sponsors of Handmade Arcade and will have a team table at the event. Stop by, sign up for our newsletter, or any number of Etsy newsletters, and receive a FREE raffle ticket for your chance to win one of two (2) $50.00 Etsy gift certificates or twenty five (25) $25.00 Etsy gift certificates. They can be redeemed online at any Etsy shop that accepts gift certificates. While you're at our table you can also pick up some free swag from Etsy and purchase raffle tickets to win our basket filled with handmade goodies made by the members of our team. Proceeds from the gift basket will benefit the Pittsburgh Center for Creative Reuse (PCCR) and the basket will include a gift certificate for PCCR as well. You can also meet some members of our team, talk to them about Etsy, and purchase handmade items directly from them.
Handmade Arcade, now in its ninth year, brings young, innovative crafters and progressive do-it-yourself designers to the David L. Lawrence Convention Center on December 8, 2012 to sell, their handmade, locally produced, and offbeat wares at a bustling marketplace.
This event provides craft artists working outside mainstream and fine arts sectors with a grassroots, high-visibility venue to sell wares, build community, network, and share their artistic practice.
With last year's event, Handmade Arcade found a new eco-friendly home at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center which allows them to continue their commitment to the environment through the convention center's green practices (www.greenfirst.us). This new home also provides space for more vendors than ever before (150+), the addition of new areas to feature demonstration artists, DJs, and musicians. The central downtown location is accessible via car, bus, T, bike, and foot and there is extensive on- and off-site parking.
Situated on-site, near the vendors, their welcoming Hands-on Handmade area features a variety of drop-in, short, and day-long interactive programs — including craft demonstrations, mini-tutorials, make-and-take activities, craft competitions, and art installations — all designed to bridge the gap between consumers and creators.
Don't miss your chance to support local artists and purchase unique handmade holiday gifts for those on your list at this year's event. Remember, you're not only supporting local artists, but your local economy as well. According to The 3/50 Project, a national small business advocacy group, for every $100.00 that is spent at a small, local business, $68.00 will return to the community. (Info from "5 Benefits to Shopping on Small Business Saturday" FORBESWOMAN, November 11, 2011)
Several of our team members at the boutique will be vending at this event, including:
AjwCreations
Audra Azoury Jewelry
Barker’s Herbs & Heirlooms
bel monili by l.marlane
charmed by nature
CreativeCustomology
Designs by Samantha
Erika Elyn
Everyday Balloons
juNxtaposition
lazypeas
Miss Mousie Love
Nina Ramone Knitwear
Recycled Reads
strawberryluna
Trilodeon
Vehement Romantic
Whimsical Wonders
Check out our Facebook page for your chance to win a pair of Early Birdie Passes. These passes are $15.00 each and are available for purchase online or at Wild Card in Lawrenceville. Each pass provides shoppers with the exclusive opportunity to shop one hour before the event opens to the public. Early Birdie shoppers will have first pick to purchase all the unique and one-of-a-kind items that crafters will be selling and be given a bag full of goodies and coupons. (Children 12 and under are admitted free with an adult.)
Team Members who will be at the team table throughout the day include:
Textile Gifts by Lynn Forman
Gillie Beans BoutiqueBookCraft
Wakula Works
John the CraftistNot Your Granny's Afghan
Neighborhood Blonde
BobbidiBoo
Rebecca Bailey Photo
Beth Hedin
Erra Creations
We hope to see you there!
