HANDMADE ARCADE
Handmade Arcade celebrates the cutting edge of craft by connecting creators and consumers through making, sharing and learning.

Pittsburgh’s award-winning independent craft fair returns with its largest event ever on Saturday, December 8, 2018 at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center! Showcasing more than 200 cutting-edge, craft-based artists, designers and makers from all over Pittsburgh, Western Pennsylvania and the United States, Handmade Arcade is the region’s leading “shop-small, buy-local event” of the holiday season. Pittsburgh’s first and largest independent craft fair since 2004, Handmade Arcade will also feature an Early Birdie Shopping Preview, an all-ages Hands-on Handmade Activity Area, fabulous art raffles, a Framer’s Market and Activity presented by the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council, a Youth Maker Alley, music by local DJs and more!

EVENT DETAILS:
DATE: Saturday, December 8, 2018
TIME: 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
LOCATION: David L. Lawrence Convention Center
1000 Fort Duquesne Blvd, Pittsburgh, PA, 15222
ADMISSION: FREE
WEBSITE: handmadearcade.com
FACEBOOK: facebook.com/handmadearcade
TWITTER: @HandmadeArcade
INSTAGRAM: @handmadearcade

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS:
239 Total Vendors
83 First-time Vendors
18 Craft Corridor Vendors
16 Hands-on Handmade Activities
10 Youth Makers
8 Hours of Shopping
4 DJs
… and more!

View the 2018 Handmade Arcade Vendor List here:
http://www.handmadearcade.org/vendors/2018-vendor-list/

For its largest event ever, Handmade Arcade market will showcase more than 200 cutting-edge, craft-based artists, designers and makers from all over Pittsburgh, Western Pennsylvania and the United States. Pittsburgh’s first and largest independent craft fair since 2004, Handmade Arcade is the region’s leading “shop-small, buy-local event” of the holiday season.

One of Pittsburgh’s most anticipated events, Handmade Arcade’s thoughtfully curated market offers an authentic, engaging and personal shopping experience featuring innovative, affordable and hand-crafted products made by some of the country’s leading independent crafters — who are all on hand to talk with attendees about their creative process, innovative product lines, tools and techniques and background. Vendors represent a diverse range of craft media and backgrounds, including first-time sellers, high school students, emerging and national makers, and returning favorites.

Products for sale will span the following categories: accessories; original artwork; prints; bath and body products; clothing for adults and children; children’s products; pet products; housewares and home goods; jewelry; paper goods; toys; and more!

Unique products for 2018 include: iPhone cases constructed from sustainably-sourced wood reclaimed from damaged local trees; wallets made from used baseball gloves; elegant glassware; felted animal sculptures; celebrity plush dolls; organic bath and beauty products; fashions made from salvaged fabrics; stylish home decor; funky and fine art jewelry; coasters made from recycled vinyl records; contemporary photography; custom-made shaving supplies; fantastical Tarot Cards; kitschy plaques; wooden six-pack holders; metalwork; robot toys; beer-themed candles; fiber art wall hangings; intricate origami objects; and much more! Offering something for every taste and budget, prices for items at Handmade Arcade typically range from $5 to $250.

At Handmade Arcade, the experience of selecting and purchasing handmade products is informed by a strong sense of personality, community and creativity. Committed to showcasing handmade goods — many integrating upcycled, sustainable, found, locally-sourced and eco-friendly materials — Handmade Arcade takes place inside the world’s first green convention center, which is easily accessible by car, bike and public transportation.

Handmade Arcade is returning to the upper-level Hall B of the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, which offers natural light, expanded event and aisle space and access to a spacious lobby and balcony with river and city views.

HANDS-ON HANDMADE ACTIVITY AREA
Be a maker, get crafty and celebrate D.I.Y. culture at Handmade Arcade’s expanded Hands-on Handmade Activity Area! Free to all ages, HOHA invites attendees to participate in inclusive, engaging and innovative art, craft, tech and learning activities led by 16 Pittsburgh-based artists, arts organizations, art collectives and more. Situated adjacent to the vendor marketplace, thoughtfully curated area features drop-in projects, demonstrations, mini-tutorials, workshops, games, installations and more. Designed to bridge the gap between consumers and producers, HOHA engages attendees and vendors alike in a shared creative process, while encouraging the public to consider the role of art, craft and making in their own lives.

Check out the 2018 Hands-on Handmade Activity Area schedule here:
http://www.handmadearcade.org/hands-on-handmade/

EARLY BIRDIE SHOPPING PREVIEW
Want to beat the crowds and get a first look at all of the handmade wares? Purchase an Early Birdie ticket and enjoy the exclusive opportunity to shop one hour before the event opens to the public. Early Birdie ticket holders will receive a black cotton tote bag designed by Handmade Arcade artist Kim Fox (Worker Bird) and filled with crafty coupons and swag from event sponsors and vendors. A limited number of $20 Early Birdie tickets will be sold online. Get yours before they sell out: http://www.handmadearcade.org/early-birdie/

Handmade Arcade will also feature fabulous art raffles, a Framer’s Market and Activity presented by the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council, a Youth Maker Alley, music by local DJs Mary Mack, Stephanie Tsong (Jellyfish), Pete Spynda (Pandemic) and Jennifer Baron (The Garment District) and more!

TO LEARN MORE, VISIT: http://www.handmadearcade.org