Category: Resources

Our favorite resources for crafters and handmade business people!

The Crafty Guide to Columbus: Part 3!
City Guides

The Crafty Guide to Columbus: Part 3!

Megan GreenLeave a comment

It’s been 3 years since we’ve hosted Craft Con and so much has changed in the city. If you are visiting Columbus for the first time or visiting our host city again, use this guide as a way to navigate your way around the Discovery District and the city for crafty spots.

Guide # 1 | Guide # 2  | Guide to Dublin

IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD

Replenish
124 S. Washington Ave
Make an appointment for yourself during your Craft Con weekend. Whether you need some pampering or a restorative session, Replenish is my go to spot for self care.  You may recall they offered yoga with with us in 2020. This gem of a space is conveniently tucked between CMA and our hotel.

Hills Market
95 N. Grant
The best little grocery store in the heart of downtown. Stock up on hotel snacks, drinks or Jeni’s Ice Cream. Hills also has a great lunch bar and deli for meals to go. They also have a small handmade section in partnership with Wild Cat Gifts and Party.

Freedom A la Cart
123 E. Spring St. 
We’ve been supporting Freedom A La Cart when we place large catering orders for both Craftin’ Outlaws and Craft Con. A kitchen with a purpose that provides work experience, training and empowerment for survivors of sex trafficking.

The Walrus
16 W. Pacemont Road, Columbus, OH 43202
Located down the street from the hotel, grab a bite or a pint after the conference.  With live music offered on Friday’s and Saturdays it’s a great way of grabbing some nightlife or just a quick meal before retiring back to your room.

Indian Oven
427 E. Main St 
Directly across the street from our hotel is delicious North Indian options. Grab some new friends and sit down for a delicious meal.

Golden Hobby Gift Shop
549 Franklin Ave  
A consignment store celebrating, promoting and working with senior artists and crafts people.

CRAFTY HAUNTS

Makers Social
461 W. Rich St.
A DIY Bar with drinks and crafts. Schedule ahead of time to guarantee a seat or wait around with a drink until one opens up.

The Sewing Hive
3455 Indianola Ave
The perfect setting to learn sewing skills or work on advanced pieces with skilled sewists helping you along the way. Check out their class schedule to make an appointment. They will also be onsite with a mending workshop.

On Paper
743 N. High St.
A haven for paper artists with supplies and inspiration for days. Grab a planner or ask them about their custom capabilities.

MARKETPLACES

  • Mystic Market: A community of mystic individuals. Hosting events once a month with their Friday night market of mysticism and enchantment. Explore readers, seers, artists, musicians, herbalist, healers, vintage oddities, fashion, crystal, magic and love
  • Mercadito Cositas Lindas: A collection of latine and hispanic exhibitors and small businesses.
  • German Village Makers Market: An outdoor market in the heart of German Village.

You can explore all of these great spots in Columbus when you join us in March/April 2023! Tickets are on sale now Don’t wait!

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State of Craft: Retail
members · News · Resources · State of Craft

State of Craft: Retail

Megan GreenLeave a comment

Midwest Craft Con hosts an online panel discussing the state of retail in the craft community.

Tuesday, August 16, 6:30pm EST, we are speaking Retail within the Midwest.

State of Craft is joined by panelists 

This hour long conversation will cover topics of

  • Maintaining their brick and mortar stores
  • Building a community within the community of your retail space 
  • Retails inclusivity in an increasingly divisive world.

State of Craft panels are a space to discuss current events in the craft world and hosted 4 times a year. Free for members who also receive access to the recorded program. $15 for non-members.

REGISTER TO JOIN
Become a Midwest Craft Con ambassador!
conference · News · Resources

Become a Midwest Craft Con ambassador!

Megan GreenLeave a comment
Do you value the importance of handmade goods?
Do you want to be a part of the handmade community but don’t know where to start?
Are you active on social media and love sharing unique finds with friends? 
Are you ready to start your handmade business or who wishes to grow their existing business?
Do you live near Columbus, Ohio?

What Is a Midwest Craft Con Ambassador?

Ambassadors help spread the word about the organization, marketplaces and the annual conference to new customers. You support the mission of MCC by lending a hand and serving on committees that make up the organization, all by sharing social media content. 

What Is Expected of a MCC Ambassador?

Create and/or repost engaging content around Midwest Craft Con’s annual conference and marketplaces to your audience on social media channels like Instagram, Facebook, Tik Tok, and Twitter. 

You meet once a month virtually for updates and provide feedback to the organizing committee. 

We ask Ambassadors to create 5 content posts a month, leading up to the events. Ambassadors are also asked to assist with 2 volunteer hours for each event: Winter Marketplace December 4, 2022 and the conference + Spring Marketplace March 31 – April 2, 2023. 

What Is the Compensation & Commitment?

In exchange for your services, you are provided with a comped ticket to attend the conference, which provides 3 days of creative content which includes: hearing the keynote, art making, access to sessions and panels. Plus name credit during opening announcements. MCC does not cover the cost of travel or lodging. Ambassadors will be extended the group discount rate for hotel costs. 

Ambassadors are to work 2 hour shifts each day of the conference and during the Winter Marketplace. Ambassadors receive one year membership to the MCC Member Platform.

You Might Be Wondering…

  • Do I have to have a large following to be an ambassador? No way! We are looking for Ambassadors who are true fans of Midwest Craft Con, enjoy spreading handmade cheer, and want to make a difference in the lives of crafting artists.
  • How do I know what to post? We’re giving our Ambassadors the freedom to post in a way that feels authentic and natural to their audience. Repost photos of your favorite Midwest Craft Con feeds, create your own video, share a review, whatever you like! We’ll also supply a list of ideas to get you started. 
  • Will I need to show up anywhere? You can help promote the excitement of Midwest Craft Con from the comfort of home. Kick your feet up, grab your drink of choice, and help us spread the word about our virtual events.  

How Do I Apply?!

Click the link below to complete our short Ambassador Application. All Ambassadors will be chosen by September 1, 2022 and contacted via email. 

AMBASSADOR APPLICATION

Event Recap – State of Craft
keynotes · members · Resources · State of Craft

Event Recap – State of Craft

Megan GreenLeave a comment

Our first, virtual State of Craft of the year hosted an engaging discussion with our guest speakers leading the conversation.

Panelists, Toni Lipsey of TL Yarn Crafts and Tricia Brancolini-Foley of Handmade Arcade shared their thoughts during the hour long program.

We covered the Etsy Strike and shared the opinion that while the online platform can still be a great place to launch your business, business owners placing their products in the care of an organization which provides competition and resellers. Tricia mentioned feedback from craft show customers who still view the e-commerce space as a secure space to buy online, compared to an individuals own website that might be unsecured.

We talked a great deal about makers who were forced to pivot events and experiences due to the early part of the pandemic, from craft fairs to releasing a new book.

As conversations continued we briefly covered the topic of sustainability, something the fiber community is having a wrecking with at the moment.

Lastly, we announced our return in 2023 with keynote Toni Lipsey!

Members can watch the entire recorded conversation and receive additional perks and promotions.

Program support made possible by:

State of Craft Panel
conference · keynotes · News · Resources · State of Craft

State of Craft Panel

Megan GreenLeave a comment

So much has changed since we meet in March at Midwest Craft Con. Craft shows and festivals have announced cancellations or postponements. Brick and mortar shops have closed their doors. E-commerce sites are seeing a decrease in online sales with custom orders from events or businesses being cancelled.

While sewists and production shops from around the nation have frantically making masks for personal use and to aid in fight of Covid-19.

As we all grasp with loss of income, distance learning with our young children and the cancellation of our creative world as we once knew it, we wanted to connect with our keynote speakers Sara Trail of Social Justice Sewing Academy and Twinkie Chan, to hear how this has impacted their missions and lives. Mostly, we want to remind our creative community that we are all feeling this loss together. This will be an ongoing monthly feature that we bring to our alumni and the creative community.

Join us on Thursday, April 9 at 8pm EST for a touchbase with our 2020 keynotes. Tickets are limited with a portion of proceeds going back to our keynotes, with a discount for alumni of Midwest Craft Con. Secure your ticket today.

Spring and Summer 2020 Craft Shows of the Midwest
City Guides · craft shows · Resources

Spring and Summer 2020 Craft Shows of the Midwest

Megan GreenLeave a comment

New year, new calendar of indie craft shows across the Midwest! We create this semiannual list of indie craft shows in the Midwest (and within driving distance of the Midwest) for makers who want to branch out to new markets, but also for shoppers who are up for a road trip! We’ll post our list of fall and holiday craft shows in August. If we missed any craft shows, add them in the comments below!

Featuring Midwest Craft Con attendees JuNxtaposition, Lofty Lou Art, Paper Acorn, Sweet Stella Designs

Know any other indie craft shows from the Midwest that should be on our list? Add them in the comments!

Fall + Holiday Shows around the Midwest!
City Guides · craft shows · News · Resources

Fall + Holiday Shows around the Midwest!

doulaknitter6 Comments

The handmade season is upon us! Makers are working their magic building up holiday inventory while still hustling their way through the summer fairs and festivals. Fans of DIY can start planning their shopping lists while makers can explore new markets to sell their handmade items.

Want to make sure you get access to early bird tickets? Sign up for our emails to get details on the next con in 2020 — Early Bird tickets will go on sale September 1st!

Know any other indie craft shows that should be on our list? Add them in the comments!

Craft Show Bingo!
craft shows · News · Resources

Craft Show Bingo!

doulaknitter1 Comment

Crafted by our Social Media Manager, Margot Madison.

Craft Fair season is an exciting and challenging time, isn’t it? You work late into the night, creating new products that blister your fingers and make your eyes go googly. You design and re-design your booth for optimum sales appeal and portability, then pray it will fit into the trunk of your car. If you’re really on the ball, you actually remember to print business cards and takeaways brochures. Ha!

Once you get to the event venue, a new set of challenges arise. Where is the designated vendor parking? How far will you have to carry your boxes of product and your booth display? Did you actually remember to bring your card reader AND your power cord for your smartphone? Will you even have electrical power? Did you remember to bring enough cash to break a $100 that some clueless person brought to purchase your $4 item?

Did you prepare for the weather? Is it going to be torrential rains today? A freak hailstorm, perhaps? Or maybe just 99 degrees and sunny so that you can bake in your crafty little tent oven.

Then, fellow crafting queen, you must be ready for… The Comments. The endless, thoughtless, careless, clueless comments from casual craft show attendees. They mean well, bless them, but it can bring even the most optimistic crafty businesswoman to her knees.

You’re not alone, Craft Warriors. To help you find some modicum of enjoyment from these careless commenters and weather disasters, we created a Craft Show Bingo card (thank you for your inspiration Carey Gustafson!) to help maintain your sanity. Feel free to download and print. Better yet, share a few with your crafting brethren. 

We wish top sales and temperate weather weekends for you to find joy and success in your crafting hobby-turned-business this season.

Download this template for your enjoyment at your next fair!

When you REALLY need a break…The 2020 Midwest Craft Con is happening February 28-March 1. Join us for workshops on marketing, business tips and also for relaxing crafty fun. Bring a friend and enjoy a well deserved weekend of happiness. Click for more information on tickets.

Spring and Summer 2019 Craft Shows of the Midwest
Resources

Spring and Summer 2019 Craft Shows of the Midwest

Megan GreenLeave a comment

Midwest art by Marcy Davy, All Things Grow

New year, new calendar of indie craft shows across the Midwest! We create this semiannual list of indie craft shows in the Midwest (and within driving distance of the Midwest) for makers who want to branch out to new markets, but also for shoppers who are up for a road trip! We’ll post our list of fall and holiday craft shows in August. If we missed any craft shows, add them in the comments below!

Vendor applications for our three affiliated craft shows are open now or soon: Craftin’ Outlaws, Crafty Mart and Crafty Supermarket!

Know any other indie craft shows from the Midwest that should be on our list? Add them in the comments!

type shy handmade Spring + Summer 2018 Midwest Craft Shows
Resources

Spring + Summer 2018 Midwest Craft Shows

Megan Green4 Comments

type shy handmade
Paper art by Type Shy

We started Midwest Craft Con after being a part of the DIY craft show scene for many years. As part of our outreach for crafters, we create this semiannual list of indie craft shows in the Midwest and within driving distance of the Midwest! This list is for makers who want to branch out to new markets, but also for shoppers who are up for a road trip! Our list of fall and holiday craft shows will go up in August. If we missed any events, add them in the comments section.

Vendor applications for our three affiliated craft shows are now open: Craftin’ Outlaws, Crafty Mart and Crafty Supermarket!

Know any other indie craft shows that should be on our list? Add them in the comments!