All Early Birdie passes for Handmade Arcade 2009 have been SOLD. Thanks so much for supporting Handmade Arcade! We’ll see all you Early Birdies at 9:45am. And don’t worry — you won’t have to wait outside!

A is for AA Bondy screenprinted poster by Largemammal, Absinthe Perfume Oil from Squeaky-Queen Soap Laboratory, Apple photograph pendant by Pretty Vicious, Ascots from Anchored in Pittsburgh, Alexa Band from The Candy Thief   B is for Button barettes from CutieCooties, Bowling Pin Earrings by Autumn’s Antics, Bird skirts by lilbunni, Ballerina snow globe from eclare, Black Mustaches print by Emily Berezin, Button bouquets from disCARDS, Black Pugs Rule Pocket Mirror from My Favorite Mirror   C is for Cruelty-free bath products from Sunstone Soap, China Doll Bib from Petit Tresor, Craft-to-go roll ups from MoxyGirl, Chocolate Chip Cookies from Dozen Bake Shop, City of Rock T-shirt from Campfire Goods, Color wheels shirts by Kate Stevens, Crafty Superstar by Grace Dobush of gracie sparkles books, Crocheted animals by Rin Meek of Girl Pie   D is for Dutch Tulip Garden Tunic by Red Prairie Press, Dinner napkins by The Point Needlecraft and Fabric Arts, Duquesne Incline Coasters from War Admiral Press, Double Pyramid Necklace from Beth Pohlman Jewelry   E is for Elvis Costello print by Autumn&Eve Illustration, Earthy Soap Trip from Biggs & Featherbelle, Electricity for the birch lantern by Kirkiture, Early Birdie Tickets for Handmade Arcade   F is for Fruit Salad onesie from Squidfire, Fawn in the Forest Necklace from Figs & Ginger, Fushion Beaded Earrings from wearableJULES, Friends and Foes from Friend or Foe, Felt flower pins from MandaLin   G is for Groom Cuff links by Yummy & Company, Glass beads from Sweetgrass Beadworks, Green Galaxy Clutch from Red Clover Clutch, God Save Pittsburgh T-shirt from Commonwealth Press   H is for Hedgehog postards from rhymes with twee, Hand-dyed yarn by Hooktastic Designs, Hula hoops from Spinster Hoops, Handbound books by Paper Breakfast  I is for I Heart Robot Necklace from Stevie Lynn Jewelry, Icing on the cupcakes from Coco’s Cupcake Café   J is for Jerusalem Vintage Map Pendant from Anne Holman Jewelry Design, Jackie O. plastic canvas from Tiny Rat   K is for Knit One, Embellish Too by Cosette Cornelius-Bates of CosyKnits (literally), Kids aprons from Petunia Girls   L is for Leaf Green Belt from Miss Alison, Lovebird Checkbook Cover from Get Felt Up!, Little Orange Bag from PristineSewing, Letterpress cards by Sapling Press, Leg warmers from By Suz, Lace Bird Clock by Garbella   M is for Mason Jar Recipe Cards by Pink Bathtub Designs, Mike Budai, 1” Magnet sets from Miss Chief Productions, Metallica Tee Tote Bag by Lisa Lorraine of Girl Pie   N is for Napalm Lipbalm from Stinkybomb Soaps, Needle felted objects from ZuzaBlue, Navy and Gray Plaid Hat from Endless Hats, Non-toxic dyed yarn from CitySpun Handspun Yarn, Necktie wallets from prix-prix   O is for Owl pillows from Gingercake, One-year subscription to Ker-bloom!, Organic franks from Franktuary   P is for Payphone Key Bracelet from 19 Moons, Peace on Earth holiday cards from L2 Design Collective, Potholders made from repurposed fabric by Curious Machine, Pillowcase dresses by Christa Yandrich of Girl Pie, Pressed Mineral Eye Shadow from Kitty in Pinx   Q is for Quiche from Coca Café   R is for Recycled notebooks by Subu, Inc., Reusable snack bags by Jen Licon-Conner of Girl Pie   S is for Snail Woodcut by Tugboat Printshop, Silkscreened designs by Dreamy Days Printing, Steelers gear from Diondega, Sustain Our Libraries poster by Mary Tremonte of Justseeds, Sewn stationery by Umbrella Girl Productions   T is for Tea Kettle Windchime from Whimsical Wonders, Talk Nerdy To Me Postcard by Rar Rar Press   U is for Upcycled sweater bags by Wren & Rita, United States pin ring made by Ringo Wild, Unicorn Mountain, Unisex Handmade Arcade t-shirts   V is for Vesper Sock Club brought to you by Knitterly Things, Vintage book picture frames from Genghis Khraft, Vegan sweet treats from My Goodies Bakery, Vintage wallpaper notecards by Buzz Buzz Designs   W is for Wilco screenprinted poster by strawberryluna, Walnut and Maple Wood Belt Buckle by Solidio Wood & Metal Craft, Wild Horses Tee from Fresh Popcorn Productions   X is for Small-3X sized clothing from The Garbologist’s Wife, X-mas Tree Brooch from the littlest bean  Y is for Yellow Wildflower Buttons from RedRaven Studios   Z is for Zinfandel upcycled wine bottle cheese plate by Mitchell Glassworks

We’re so very close to finalizing our 2009 home and date. There will be a Handmade Arcade this year – please don’t fret!

Thank you to everyone for your suggestions and hopeful wishes in securing a 2009 Handmade Arcade location. We want you to know that we are still working on it and should have an idea of what is happening soon. We’ll keep you posted, we promise!

If you’re not on our mailing list, a post of the request sent out this morning —

Planning for the sixth annual Handmade Arcade is underway. Pittsburgh’s first and largest independent craft fair, Handmade Arcade has become a highly-anticipated fixture of the holiday shopping season. Last year, the event drew 9,000 attendees over two days.

We are having scheduling issues with our desired venue and are exploring options for a new space. IF WE CANNOT CONFIRM A SUITABLE SPACE BY AUGUST 21, WE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO HOLD AN EVENT IN 2009.

The venue must meet these specifications:
- At least 25,000 square feet of clean, open space – ideally up to 30-35,000 square feet (last year, our venue accomodated 9,000 people over two days in about 35,000 square feet of space)
- Heating
- Lighting
- Negotiable rental rate

Our preferred characteristics:
- On-site restrooms
- Parking or convenient access via public transportation
- Additional accessible outlets
- Availability to serve food

Possible Dates:
- Sat/Sun November 14-15
- Sat/Sun November 21-22
- Sat/Sun December 12-13

Notes:
- We are open to the idea of making this year’s event a one-day event.
- The venue should be in the city limits.

Please send suggestions for venues with any contact information to info [@] handmadearcade.com. Feel free to forward this email to your networks.

We are accepting suggestions until Monday, August 17.

On June 1, Handmade Arcade was pleased to attend the second Work of Art Awards Ceremony of the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council.  We were one of the finalists for the People’s Choice Award, and were thrilled to find that we, for the second time, had won!

Thank you to all who voted for us!  And of course, thanks to all of you who help make this such a great event year after year.  From the vendors to the shoppers to the volunteers, HA is definitely the product of many hands.

Thanks to everyone who voted for us for the GPAC People’s Choice Award. We are one of three finalists and will learn if we won the award at the GPAC Work of Art Awards on June 1. Stay tuned for details.

Thanks to all who came out to the Handmade Arcade this past weekend! Truly, it’s amazing to see y’all come through the door — that’s what we work all year to make happen.

Needless to say, we’re all laying low, picking up, and trying to remember what we were doing before the frenzy of the last couple of days. In the meantime, go visit our vendor list — we’re sure they have something fantastic that you missed! And, if you’re not on our mailing list, please add your email address so that we can keep you up-to-date.

Watch this space for a full Thank You list and press clippings in the next couple of days.

Tune in tomorrow between 9-10am when Jennifer and Jessica visit the set of Pittsburgh Today Live on KDKA. They will be talking about HA:08 and displaying a small sample of crafty items available this weekend.

We’ll post the video as soon as it goes online!