The Crafty Guide to Cincinnati

In my eight years living in Cincinnati, I’ve seen the city grow into a real center for creative activity. Back when my friend and I started Crafty Supermarket six years ago, it was hard to find other crafters, makers and creatives. I’m very happy to report that is no longer the case, as you can see the options for creative engagement abound in my Crafty Guide to Cincinnati:

CRAFTY STORES

The Hoop & Needle
4019 Hamilton Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45223
All the supplies you need to do needlework, cross-stitching and embroidery, plus fun works of art by the owner, Purple Hippo Stitches.

Indigenous
2010 Madison Road, Cincinnati, OH 45208
This gallery has a long history of showing fine craft and art from around Cincinnati and around the world.

MiCA 12/v
1201 Vine St., Cincinnati, OH 45202
A lovely store run by a couple of design lovers with a great eye for housewares, jewelry and accessories.

Red Tree Gallery
3210 Madison Road, Cincinnati, OH 45209
A wonderful coffee shop that has expanded its gallery to include tons of work from local makers and crafters.

Rock Paper Scissors
1301 Main St., Cincinnati, OH 45202
This homegrown arts and crafts store focuses exclusively on crafts, art and music made around Cincinnati. Say hello to the shop dog!

PLACES FOR MAKERS

Brazee Street Studios
4426 Brazee Street, Cincinnati, OH 45209
If you love glass art, you’ll love this creative center where you can take a class or set up some studio time for yourself.

Funke Fired Arts
3130 Wasson Road, Cincinnati, OH 45209
This clay studio (soon to become Queen City Clay) offers lots of classes for kids and adults alike.

Hive13
2929 Spring Grove Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45225
If your interests skew tech-y, check out this hackerspace in Camp Washington. 

Maker Space at the Cincinnati Main Library
800 Vine Street, Cincinnati, OH, 45202
The main branch of the public library has a new, giganto maker space including 3D printers, lasercutters, vinyl printers, A/V recording, sewing machines and button makers, all available to use for very cheap.

The Manufactory
12055 Mosteller Road, Cincinnati, OH ‎45241
Up in the northern suburbs, this member-based makerspace offers classes in everything from woodworking to welding to lasercutting.

Sewn Studio
3212 Madison Road, Cincinnati, OH 45209
This adorable fabric shop in Oakley also hosts classes for sewists of all levels. 

CRAFT SHOWS 

• Crafty Supermarket: The show I run with my business partner, Chris, is celebrating its sixth birthday this year, and we anticipate more than 5,000 shoppers to join us and 90+ vendors at Music Hall in Over-the-Rhine on Nov. 28!
• The City Flea: A monthly urban flea market that runs from May to December each year. The next big show for them is Small Mall, bringing together bricks-and-mortar stores on Nov. 29.
• Art On Vine: This monthly art market is downtown on Fountain Square during the warmer months and up at the Rhinegeist brewery in OTR when it’s cold.
• Clay Alliance: If you love ceramics and pottery, you’ll love the two shows this organization puts on each year, in spring and around the holidays.
• Art Off Pike: Just across the river in Covington, KY, this annual big street festival includes lots of makers.
• The OFF Market: This monthly street fair in Oakley draws lots of makers and crafters from around the city.

BEST VINTAGE

Lentz & Company
339 Ludlow Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45220
This vintage shop in the very cute Gaslight District also sells handmade items from local crafters.

Mainly Art
3711 Madison Road, Cincinnati, OH 45209
If high-end mid-century modern furniture is your jam, you will love this shop that frequently sends its pieces to movie sets.

NVISION
4577 Hamilton Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45223
From the huge amounts of reasonably priced vintage clothing to the impeccable mid-century furniture, you’re bound to find something to fall in love with here.

Ohio Valley Antique Mall
7285 Dixie Highway, Fairfield, OH 45014
This gigantic antique mall is a favorite for pickers from surrounding counties, with reasonable prices and everything you could possibly hope to find. Plan to spend at least a few hours to get through it all.

CRAFTY HANGOUTS

Cheapside Cafe
326 E. Eighth St., Cincinnati OH 45202
Cool decor, great coffee and even better food at this breakfast-and-lunch spot.

Collective CAC
44 E. Sixth St., Cincinnati, OH 45202
The first floor of the Contemporary Arts Center has a brand new cafe and beautiful lounge area where you can chill.

The Comet
4579 Hamilton Ave., Cincinnati OH 45223
Have a beer, get a burrito and hang out with the creative community in Northside.

Findlay Market
1801 Race St., Cincinnati, OH 45202
Ohio’s oldest continually operating market offers fresh foods year-round, and there are great places to eat in and around the square!

Kaze
1400 Vine St., Cincinnati, OH 45202
I wholeheartedly endorse the cocktails at this Japanese gastropub on Vine Street.

MOTR
1345 Main St., Cincinnati, OH 45202
A chill local bar where you are sure to find other creative types. Try the MOTR burger!

Grace Dobush is a freelance journalist in Cincinnati and one of the organizers of Midwest Craft Con. You can follow her on Twitter at @gracedobushtogo.

Are you coming to Midwest Craft Con? Early bird tickets are on sale now until Oct. 31 or until the first 100 sell out. Don’t wait!