Handmade Arcade, December 2009 from Brian Staszel on Vimeo.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Handmade Arcade?
Handmade Arcade is run by a collective of creative Pittsburghers who have helped to shape and bolster Pittsburgh’s independent craft scene over the past six years. Founded in 2004 — when no events in the Pittsburgh region served the burgeoning DIY craft community — Handmade Arcade provides crafters working outside the mainstream/fine arts sector with a grassroots high-visibility venue to sell wares and build community.

The group’s founders — who, along with new volunteers, still run the event today — were inspired to organize a craft fair of Pittsburgh’s own that would tap into a national movement and provide a welcoming venue for artists and shoppers to come together. Handmade Arcade’s growth has coincided with the international resurgence of crafting, as new generations are reclaiming and reinventing craft materials and methods.

In 2007 and 2009, Handmade Arcade received The People’s Choice Award for Best Arts Event from the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council. Activities organized by Handmade Arcade have been covered by numerous national media outlets, including The New York Times, Salon, Venus Magazine, and National Public Radio. This fall, Handmade Arcade is featured in Craftwerk 2.0, an international exhibition exploring D.I.Y. production and global “Craftivism” movements now on view at the Jonkoping County Museum in Sweden.

Tapping into a vibrant subculture of young, innovative designers who bring a fresh, artistic, and often subversive sensibility to traditional crafting, Handmade Arcade provides Pittsburgh-based crafters with an alternative to high-end, fine arts fairs and traditional craft venues, while connecting the city to a thriving craft culture that is sweeping the nation from Brooklyn to Berkeley. Handmade Arcade has made sure that Pittsburgh remains on this significant cultural map. Creative, motivated individuals come to Handmade Arcade to build an audience for their handmade products, and they leave seeing Pittsburgh in a new, positive light.

Handmade Arcade supports crafting as an avenue for accessible artistic expression, facilitates opportunities for independent artists to establish locally owned and/or home-based businesses, and seeks out new strategies for educating and empowering independent crafters to be successful on their own terms.

When and where is the Handmade Arcade?
Saturday, November 12th, 11:00 am – 7:00 pm at the David L Lawrence Convention Center

What types of crafts are sold at Handmade Arcade?
All kinds of cool crafts! You’ll find innovative jewelry, scary and sweet stuffed creatures, knitted accessories, silk screened prints and tees, felted fashions, hand bound books, spun yarns, stationery, ‘zines, housewares and lots more.

How do I apply to be a vendor at Handmade Arcade?
The application process will begin at the time of or shortly following the announcement of the next date and location.

I’d like to help sponsor your event; how does that work?
You can email us at sponsor@handmadearcade.com. We have a variety of sponsorship levels and are always willing to work with you. For more information about Handmade Arcade sponsorship opportunities, click here.

I’d like to do a story about Handmade Arcade. Where should I go for more information?
You can email us at press@handmadearcade.com and we will send out a press kit to you right away. We’ll gladly answer your specific questions, put you in touch with our craft vendors and assist/advise you of photo opportunities. For more information about Handmade Arcade in the pres, click here.

How can I help with Handmade Arcade?
We love our volunteers! Volunteer shifts are only two hours, allowing you plenty of time to enjoy the event and get a jump start on your holiday shopping. Volunteers are needed to help with all kinds of stuff during the event day like assisting vendors, selling HA merchandise, setup/teardown and monitoring demos. For more information or to volunteer, click here.

What about Handmade Arcade gear?
We’ll soon be selling items like t-shirts, posters, and buttons to benefit future Handmade Arcade events.

Handmade Arcade Facts

Handmade Arcade has grown every year:

• HA:04  Nov. 13, 2004, 32 vendors, 1,000 attendees
• HA:05  Nov. 12, 2005, 80 vendors, 2,000 attendees
• HA:06  Nov. 11, 2006, 118 vendors, 5,000 attendees
• HA:07  Nov. 10 & 11, 2007, 110 vendors, 7,000 attendees
• HA:08  Nov.  13 & 14, 2008, 100 vendors, 9,000 attendees
• HA:09  December 12, 2009, 90 vendors, 9,000 attendees 

In 2007 and 2009, Handmade Arcade received The People’s Choice Award for Best Arts Event from the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council. This award is voted on by the public.

The majority of HA attendees are socially conscious, forward-thinking consumers, ages 18 – 40.

Handmade Arcade has reach beyond the Pittsburgh area. Vendors and attendees have come from:

• New York
• Illinois
• Massachusetts
• Vermont
• Washington DC
• West Virginia
• Connecticut
• Tennessee
• Canada
• Japan

Handmade Arcade has an extensive online network, including handmadearcade.com and an active presence on social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter, MySpace and Fliker. HA maintains its own blog on handmadearcade.com and is frequently the subject of personal and professional bloggers.

Handmade Arcade has established partnerships with many local organizations and businesses including:

• Artists Image Resource
• Commonwealth Press
• WYEP-FM
• The Saturday Light Brigade
• The Sprout Fund
• Coca Café
• Franktuary
• Zipcar
• Dozen Cupcakes & Bake Shop
• Shadyside Chamber of Commerce