Handmade Arcade Returns for 2021 Holiday Season

Handmade Arcade is excited to announce the participating makers and schedule of events for its In-Person Holiday Market, which returns to the David L. Lawrence Convention Center on Saturday, December 4, 2021. This highly anticipated event—the largest holiday market in the region, featuring over 200 talented makers, artists, and craftspeople—has become a staple of holiday festivities in Pittsburgh since it launched in 2004. 

“We are thrilled to bring back our in-person market, which has become a quintessential part of the holiday season and a critical opportunity for local artists to sustain their businesses,” says Tricia Brancolini-Foley, Executive Director of Handmade Arcade. “This is my favorite time of year. It’s a magical experience to see so many makers—established artists and rising stars—gathered in a hall, sharing their exceptional work with our community.”

With its return to the Convention Center, Handmade Arcade is prioritizing the health and comfort of shoppers and makers by implementing updated safety protocols, including social distancing, a mask requirement for attendees older than two, zoned areas for eating and drinking, and an additional hall to allow for more space between booths and wider walkways. In order to reduce crowding at the check-in desk, every shopper will need to reserve a free timed admission pass by registering on the event site.

From a large selection of Pittsburgh-based brands to makers from as far away as Portland, Oregon, the market features artists with a variety of different skills and backgrounds. The market includes well-known makers from past years Una Biologicals, Otto Finn, and garbella, and new-to-Handmade-Arcade vendors like fashion designer Kiya Tomlin and ceramic artist Jackson Creations. Products include jewelry and accessories, artwork, bath and body products, clothing, children’s products, housewares and home decor, paper goods, pet products, ceramics, metalwork, glassware, and more.

In addition to the acclaimed in-person market, Handmade Arcade is hosting a virtual holiday market from November 27–29 for shoppers who prefer to find those perfect seasonal gifts online. 

“We launched the virtual market in response to the pandemic in 2020, and were excited to see our audience grow beyond the regional shoppers who come to the in-person market every year,” says Brancolini-Foley. “We have makers who prefer to participate virtually, too. By offering a hybrid experience this year, we’re making sure that anyone who wants to support artists and makers has the opportunity to do so, whether they come to the Convention Center or browse from the comfort of home.”

Handmade Arcade Holiday Market: A can’t-miss handmade extravaganza

IN PERSON 
Handmade Arcade revives the magic of its in-person market! The In-Person Holiday Market features 200 of the region’s talented makers at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center on Saturday, December 4. On Friday, December 3, join us for our annual Happy Hour Fundraiser, an exclusive opportunity to meet with makers and shop before the doors open to early bird shoppers on Saturday.

Friday Night Happy Hour Fundraiser: December 3, 5–7:30 p.m.
Presented by Una Biologicals

  • Tickets: $35

  • Shoppers get 25 free raffle tickets

  • The first 400 attendees receive a mini gift from Una Biologicals

  • Cash bar (drinks must be consumed in designated areas)

  • Attendees over the age of two must wear a mask

Early Bird Shopping: December 4, 9:30–11 a.m.

  • Tickets: $25 (only 400 available!)

  • Shoppers get 25 free raffle tickets

  • Attendees over the age of two must wear a mask

Handmade Arcade In-Person Holiday Market: December 4, 11 a.m.–7 p.m.

  • 200+ makers from the Pittsburgh region, whose products range from home décor to purses, tableware to baby clothes, jewelry to artwork, and more

  • Health and safety protocols

    • Timed admission: every attendee must reserve their free admission slot in advance to reduce crowds at check-in

    • Attendees over the age of two must wear a mask

    • Booths are distanced throughout two large halls, allowing for social distancing

    • Food and drink must be consumed in zoned areas

  • Hands-on Handmade Activity Area
    Four large-scale demonstrations that will continue throughout the day:

    • Mural artist Jayla Patton paints a large-scale area piece

    • Pittsburgh Glass Center shows how to blow glass

    • Artist Image Resources and students from CAPA high school demonstrate oversized screen printing techniques

    • Protohaven brings their mobile metal forge to demonstrate fundamental blacksmithing techniques

  • Youth Maker Alley

    • This amazing program provides 6 of Pittsburgh’s youth makers, ages 13–19, with professional maker mentoring, a stipend, and a spot at the in-person market

  • Craft Corridor

    • We’ve added 10 more booths to Craft Corridor, a program that offers emerging makers a low booth price to participate in the market

    • Meet 30 brand new makers and shop their incredible products

  • Take-and-make Craft Kits

    • Pick up a free craft kit, which includes all the materials and instructions you’ll need to create your own handmade product

    • More details will be announced in the coming weeks, but example kits could include bath bombs, beads, butterflies, cards, stickers, googly eyes, fabric quilt squares, and more

VIRTUAL

The virtual market goes live onhandmadearcade.orgat 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, November 27, and closes at 11:59 p.m. on Monday, November 29. Featuring over 200 makers, the virtual market is a great way to order unique gifts.

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