Life Lessons Learned at Craft Shows

If you pay attention when you're out in public, especially when vending at craft shows, you can learn valuable lessons. Some apply to your craft business, some to just life in general. Lessons I've been learning that I'm trying to better implement are as follows:

1) Listen.
Hear your customers. Learn from them. If they like what you're making except for... listen and make adjustments for the next time or offer to do custom work. Look at each show as an opportunity to perform consumer research.

2) Smile.
This is especially important when your day isn't going well. People don't want to be around unhappy negative people. Don't keep potential customers away by complaining about your day or looking miserable. Sometimes others are having a bad day too and something as simple as a smile might make things just a little easier for them. Even if they don't buy something from you one day, you never know when you might see them again.

3) Pay attention.
Some items get attention from customers regardless of how you display them. Others may not get noticed at all. Pay attention to which items your customers are looking at and what they're saying as they do. Make notes of what works and what doesn't and continue fine tuning your display at each show.

4) Follow through.
We all get busy and only have a set number of hours in each day. Try to prioritize tasks in terms of follow through. If I owe someone an answer, I don't want to keep them waiting and yet sometimes I get busy and let things slide. When it happens to me I get truly frustrated, especially if having to wait for information from someone else holds me up so I'm trying to do a better job of following through myself. With customers especially, they're more likely to return for future purchases if you do well with this.

5) Be consistent.
This goes along with follow through as well. If you tell people something they will likely remember it even if you don't. People know other people. You never know who they'll talk to. Due to this, if you tell one person x but do y, you can be fairly certain it will come back to haunt you. You never want to find yourself in a situation where you told customer #1 something, then tell customer #2 the opposite and have them call you on it. While I haven't been guilty of this, I have been on the receiving end and can tell you it's not a good position to find yourself in.

6) Treat others the way you want them to treat you.
This lesson is simple and basic and one most of us should have learned as children. Some of us try to live our lives according to that lesson and some people appear to have forgotten it or never learned it. Try not to let them impact your actions. I feel it's still important to keep in mind as I navigate my way through life. Setting a good example just might rub off on others. If you're nice and friendly and offer to watch a neighbor's booth while they go to the restroom, chances are good they'll do the same for you.

7) You can't make everyone happy all the time.
The best you can do is make the majority of people happy. There will always be at least one person that you can't please no matter what you do. There are always things going on in other people's lives that impact their perspective that you have no control over. Try not to let them affect you negatively.

8) Have fun!
Life is too short not to find a way to enjoy yourself. If you're vending at a craft show, I'm guessing you're trying to find a way to make money doing something you enjoy. Even if it's an off day and you're not making money that day, find a way to have fun at the event. Enjoy interacting with your customers. Get to know your neighbors. If there's music at the event, enjoy the opportunity to hear a new performer. By looking at the positive side of things, you'll most likely have the best day possible given any situation you may find yourself in.

I realize there are many lessons I've missed but the above are themes that seem to come up frequently. These are items I'm trying to improve my implementation of. I am by no means trying to claim I'm an expert at them. I am human after all and therefore imperfect. Despite this, I'm trying to do what I can to improve. What lessons have you learned that are particularly useful? I'd love to hear about them. Let's learn from each other.

Whaddaya Get When You Combine STE With Vintage Hot Rods?

Whaddaya Get When You Combine STE With Vintage Hot Rods & Motorcycles? You get two fabulous upcoming car and motorcycle rallies! Woohoo! Steel Town Etsy crafters will be teaming up with these two fabulous shows, vending our handmade wares along with hot rods, pin up girls, live music, prize givaways, old school good times, and the coolest of the cool around Pittsburgh! Two events you definitely won't want to miss!

Oh, and artisans, both shows are still accepting vendors!


1st Annual Steel City Rockers vs. Mods Vintage Motorcycle & Scooter Rally



Pittsburgh's first vintage motorcycle and scooter rally! Get out the gear, polish up the Nortons, Triumphs, and BMWs or Vespas, Lambrettas,and Allstates (depending on your allegiance) and commemorate this unique period in Motorcycle history with the First Annual Steel City Rockers vs. Mods! Join us for a one-of-a-kind rally featuring bands, DJs, a pin-up-girl contest, raffles, tattoos, entertainment, vendors, and of course, lots of bikes! Special guest judges will be on-site to distribute awards to both motorcycles and scooters. Come on out and help us make this event one to remember! A portion of our proceeds will benefit Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh's Hard Head Patrol.

Visit http://steelcityrockersvsmods.com for more info!


Steeltown Shakedown, hosted by The Drifters Car Club



On Saturday, September 11, The Drifters will be hosting the 5th annual Steeltown Shakedown at the Twin Hi Way Drive-In on Route 60 in Robinson Township. This all day car show is open to all pre-65 rat rods, hot rods, and custom cruisers. Shop the vendors and enjoy the various raffles, flamethrower contest, pin up contest, and live music. If that isn’t enough for, then prepare yourself for a one night only showing of a true vintage movie when the sun goes down. Bring your old ride and help us celebrate the 76th anniversary of the very first drive-in movie theater the only way we know how: ol’ skool.

Visit www.steeltownshakedown.com for more details.

South Side Works Artists Exposed- Come See STE This Weekend!

Getting all prepped and juiced up for a three-day weekend of crafty vending coming up at the end of this week! Woot! :) Come and check out at least twelve Steel Town Etsy artisans and their unique handmade wares there, along with lots of other talented crafters. See a list of artisans on I Made It! Market's blog. Hope to see you- we love to meet local handmade lovers and supporters! :)





SouthSide Works Exposed is an outdoor bazaar and music festival celebrating summer and the arts in Pittsburgh. The setting for this event is in and around the Town Square of the SouthSide Works.

More than 70 local artists and craftspeople will be selling handmade wares including ceramics, photography, paintings, jewelry, clothing, nat...ural body products, woodworked games and more.

Each day features food from SouthSide Works restaurants, drinks, music and traveling entertainers – and a dedicated area for kids!

To learn about the excitement and to see a sample of the artisans, visit http://www.imadeitmarket.com/ or http://www.southsideworks.com.

An Action-Packed Indie Crafts Weekend for STE Artisans!

Steel Town Etsy artisans have got a busy buzzy weekend of indie craft shows this weekend with I Made It! Market! Come and see our wares in person and say hello! :) Shop local, buy handmade! Hope to see you there!

WYEP Summer Music Festival- Friday, June 25th, 4-8:00 pm, Schenley Plaza in Oakland. Enjoy an evening of free live music and fun, including a kids area and a local crafter marketplace. I Made It! Market artisans will be outside on Schenley Drive between the Carnegie Museum and Library. For more information on this fantastic outdoor celebration of music and arts, visit WYEP's Website at: http://www.wyep.org/.




Handmade in Marriage- Saturday, June 26th, 11-5 pm, Wildcard in Lawrenceville. The first annual indie wedding showcase featuring 20 local vendors who can help make your day PERFECT! Meet local photographers, disc jockeys, designers specializing in: jewelry, clothing, invitations, flowers and more. This event is free to attend. Visit www.handmadeinmarriage.com for more information.




I Made It! Market Indie Craft Sale and Birthday Party, sponsored by The Cotton Factory- Sunday, June 27th, 12-5 pm, Jewish Community Center (JCC) in Squirrel Hill. There will be cake, balloons, kids activities, a local indie artisan marketplace. See I Made It! Market's website for more details.

Steel Town Etsy Handmade Trunk Show Announced!

Steel Town Etsy artisans will host an indie craft trunk show on August 6th, 2010 at Schmutz Lodge from 5:30 pm to 10:00 pm.

Happening as part of the artsy frolic, food, people, and buzz that is Penn Avenue’s Unblurred Art Gallery Crawl, the trunk show will bring together some of Pittsburgh’s most talented artisans and their unique, sometimes offbeat, handmade wares!

Join our celebration of local arts and culture for fun, mingling with the creatively cool, and the opportunity to meet the faces behind Steel Town Etsy! Awaiting you is one-of-a-kind and original art of all types of media; handcrafted and upcycled jewelry, clothing, and toys; and steampunk, zombie-inspired, and nature-influenced goods made with plenty o’ Steel Town love!

Here’s to crafty shopping, one of the country’s most vibrant arts and indie craft scenes, and supporting the handmade movement and local independent artisans!

We still have a few vendor spaces available for Steel Town Etsy members.  If you're interested in vending, please contact Tamara at barkerbellheirlooms(at)hotmail(dot)com.

Meet Steel Town Etsy Artisans at April Art & Craft Events!

The craft show season is officially kicking off as Spring rolls in, and we are all super excited to get out there to sell our handmade wares, network with other local crafty folk, and meet our craft-loving Pittsburgh customers!

Look for us at the following upcoming local events, both in PA and OH. We hope to see you there!

PITTSBURGH

April 10th:
I Made It! Market presents Chili With the Works: Spring Arts & Chili Festival. South Side Works in the former Joseph Beth Booksellers space. Saturday, April 10, 2010, 2-8pm. 60+ local indie craft vendors. Celebrity-judged Chili Contest sponsored by SSW and ESPN Radio. Live entertainment and activities for the kiddos.

April 23rd:
Gallery Crawl in the Cultural District. Shop w/our local artisans at Northside Urban Pathways School at 914 Penn Ave! Art. Music. Dance. Networking. Fun. A free showcase of art and entertainment in the heart of Pittsburgh's Cultural District, Friday, April 23rd between 5:30 and 9:00 pm.


OHIO

April 9-10th:
ArtIsAlive 2010 sponsored by ArtsinStark in cooperation with The Canton Museum of Art. Canton, OH. April 9-10th, 2010. A great party with great stuff, great entertainment and a whole lot of fun, fun, fun.

Nifty Craft Show List 2010

2010 ARTS & CRAFT SHOWS

Vending opportunities for local crafters and shopping opportunities for the craft-happy (though in many cases, these are one in the same)! ;)

Support local businesses, shop handmade, and bask in the love that goes into every crafty creation!

This is a somewhat random list that is by no means a comprehensive one. If you'd like us to add add an event, email steeltownetsy@gmail.com or convo us via Etsy at http://steeltownetsy.etsy.com.


2010 LOCAL SHOWS
(Pittsburgh and surrounding areas)

ONGOING

Saturdays: Lawrenceville Little Flea, corner of Butler St. and 36th. (Goeller's parking lot) in Lawrenceville. 8am-3pm.

Sundays: Pittsburgh Flea, 21st st & Railroad, Strip District. 8am-3pm


JUNE

24-27: Thunder in the Valley® Annual Motorcycle Rally, Johnstown, PA, June 24-27, 2010. For cending info, contact For vending information, contact Karen Soliday at Greater Johnstown/Cambria County Convention & Visitors Bureau. Call 1-800-237-8590, x31 or send an email to karens@visitjohnstownpa.com.

25: I Made It! with WYEP's Summer Music Festival, Schenley Plaza, Oakland. Friday, June 25th, 4-8pm. Application.

26-27: Fourth Annual "Art in the Wilds" Fine Arts Show, Kane, PA, June 26-27, 2010. Applications due March 1st.

27: I Made It! Market's Birthday Party, Jewish Community Center (JCC), Squirrel Hill. Sunday, June 27th, 12-5pm. Application.


JULY

1-4: Westmoreland Arts and Heritage Festival, Twin Lakes Park, Greensburg, PA, July 1-4, 2010. Applications due March 1st.

16-18: I Made It! Market for the South Side Works Exposed Artists Market. South Side Works, Pittsburgh, PA. July 16-18, 2010. Application.

18: Polish Hill Arts Festival, Sunday, July 18th, 12-8pm. Applications by May 15th.

23-25: Discover Presque Isle, Erie, PA, July 23-25, 2010. Applications due June 1st.


AUGUST

14-15: Art Fair on the Boardwalk- Conneaut Lake Art Fair, Conneaut Lake Park. Applications by June 15th.

SEPTEMBER

Co-op Art Harvest, September, 2010. Watch website for details.

4-5: 21st Annual Music in the Mountains, Ohiopyle, State Park, Fayette County, PA. Labor Day weekend, September 4-5, 2010. Watch website for details, or contact Friends of Ohiopyle at eeohiopyle@qcol.net.

11: The Steeltown Shakedown, Twin Hi-Way Drive in on Rte. 60, Sept 11 from 1 pm until? A pre-65 hot rod/car with live bands, vendors, pin-up contest, trophies, pinstriper and tattoo artist on site, and a vintage movie at dusk! Watch website for details.

11-12: Wild Wind Folk Art & Craft Show, Warren, PA, September 11-12.

17-19: The Horror Realm Convention, Crowne Plaza, Pittsburgh South. September 17-19, 2010. Check website for vendor information.

18-19: Covered Bridge Festival, Washington County, September 18-19th. Contact Washington Co. Tourism office for vending details. (800)531-4114/(724) 228-5520 or info@visitwashingtoncountypa.com.

25: Ebensburg PotatoFest 2010:Downtown Ebensburg, PA, Saturday, September 25, 2010, 9-5pm. Applications due August 13th.

1-3: Franklin Applefest, Franklin, Pa October 1-3, 2010. Applications are accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis.

8-10: Ligonier Days October 8-10, 2010. Applications due March 31st.


OCTOBER

23: The Holly and the Ivy Art and Craft Show. Embassy Suites Hotel, Moon Township. October 23, 11am-9pm. Contact Chris at (724) 728-3018 or by e-mail at info@hollyivy.com for more info.

23: St. Thomas More Art & Craft Show, Bethel Park, October 23, 2010. Applications due May 30th. Call 412-833-0031 for more information.


NOVEMBER

13-14: The Holly and the Ivy Art and Craft Show. Pittsburgh North Marriott, Cranberry Township. November 13-14, 2010. Contact Chris at (724) 728-3018 or by e-mail at info@hollyivy.com for more info.

20-21: The Holly and the Ivy Art and Craft Show. Seven Oaks Country Club, Beaver.
November 20-21, 2010. Contact Chris at (724) 728-3018 or by e-mail at info@hollyivy.com for more info.


DECEMBER

4: I Made It! for the Holidays, The Union Project, Pittsburgh, PA. December 4, 2010, 12-6pm. Watch I Made It!'s website for details.


ROADTRIP ANYONE?
(Shows across PA and in neighboring states.)

ONGOING

Every First Sunday: Crafty By Nature Outdoor Indie Market, Shupp’s Grove in Adamstown, PA (Lancaster County). May thought October. 9am-4pm.


AUGUST

7: Lakewood Arts Festival, Lakewood, OH, August 7, 2010. Applications due March 15th.


OCTOBER

1-3: Oglebayfest, Artist and Gourmet Markets, Wheeling, WV. Applications by April 30th.


DECEMBER

18: Last Minute Market presented by I Made It! Market and Cleveland Handmade, December 18, 2010. Watch I Made It!'s and Cleveland Handmade's websites for details.

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!

Crafts 'N At Craft Show by the PCC is open for applications

Crafts N’At is an opportunity for independent crafters to show and sell their wares, establish their business, and to celebrate creativity.

It features over 50 vendors, make & take crafts for children and adults, craft demonstrations, live performances, a Chinese auction and raffle, and an outdoor BBQ.

The Union Project
801 North Negley Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15206
Saturday, September 5, 2009 {Labor Day Weekend}
Open to the Public: 10am to 6pm
General Information: http://pghcraftcollective.com/craftsnat.html
Vendor Information: http://pghcraftcollective.com/vendors.html
Promotional Items: http://pghcraftcollective.com/promotionaltems.html

Introducing Black Cats & Co! Today's CityCraft Handmade Holiday Happy Hour Market featured artist.

I'm pleased to introduce you to today's featured CityCraft artist - Black Cats & Co.

Melanie Widmer of Black Cats & Co., says "I make beaded jewelry using semiprecious stones and pearls. I like to mix stones and pearls and put things together in unexpected ways. I also search out lesser known stones, like Sesame Jasper, Lizard Skin Agate and Tiger Iron. Lately, I've been working a lot with copper, which complements many stones and is a great look for fall and winter. For the holiday season, I've been making earrings with blown glass beads that look like mini tree ornaments. The beads are hollow, so the earrings are lightweight and festive.

Come to Navarra on December 18th from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm to shop local, shop handmade, and see Black Cats & Co along with numerous other talented artisans.

Introducing Vintage Hotcakes. Today's CityCraft Handmade Holiday Happy Hour Market Featured Artist.

I'm pleased to introduce you to today's featured CityCraft artist - Vintage Hotcakes.

Dawn Ellis of Vintage Hotcakes, makes home & personal accessories fashioned from vintage, new & recycled materials. Her craftsmanship is impeccable and her creations rarely fail to elicit smiles. From her Etsy profile, " I don’t use patterns for any of my creations & sew ‘free style’ as I like to call it. I also love buying handmade..."

She is an invaluable member of the Etsy Pittsburgh Team!

Come to Navarra on December 18th from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm to shop local, shop handmade, and see Vintage Hotcakes along with numerous other talented artisans.

CityCraft Handmade Holiday Happy Hour Market

As part of their ongoing effort to create local selling opportunities for artisans in and around the Pittsburgh area, the Etsy Pittsburgh Street Team is happy to announce the CityCraft Handmade Holiday Happy Hour Market on Thursday, December 18, 2008 from 5:00 to 9:00 pm at Navarra (next to Bossa Nova) 131 7th Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222.

This event, in downtown Pittsburgh, will feature 40 local artisans selling their handmade wares, performances by local musicians (schedule and details TBA), and how-to crafting demonstrations.

Mark the date on your calendar and come join us for a last chance to buy handmade for the holidays!

A few vendor spaces are still available. For applications, questions, or more info, email barkerbellheirlooms@hotmail.com.