Want to present at Midwest Craft Con 2023?

June 2, 2022August 22, 2022 Megan GreenLeave a comment

Midwest Craft Con is looking for experienced and knowledgeable creative business owners to share their expertise with our attendees.

Our audience ranges from hobbyists, small business owners just starting out to those who have been in business for 10+ years. A successful pitch will keep one of those people in mind, and we love it when pitches have their own spin on the topic.

Breakout and Workshop sessions are 1.5 hours in length, with built in Q&A time. We are looking for sessions specifically targeted to makers regarding marketing, business, finances, legalities, work-life balance, ideation, creativity and other craft business issues. To get an idea of sessions and workshops we’ve had in the past, check out 2020s schedule here.

Workshops are designed for participants to engage with creativity, regardless of skillset. All projects should be designed as a beginner level. Allowing new students to engage and advanced students to relax.

Invited presenters will receive an honorarium, hotel stay and admission to our three-day conference with some additional surprises. We regret we aren’t able to invite to everyone who submits an idea, but we hope you will plan to join us no matter what!

We’ll get back to everyone who submits a speaking proposal in the middle of August, and announce the 2023 speaker lineup shortly thereafter.

Speaking Proposals

Workshop Proposals

conference · craft shows · keynotes · News · speakers · Sponsors · workshops

Craft Con in the Time of COVID-19

March 31, 2020May 31, 2022 britcharekLeave a comment

“It’s better to have ~~loved~~ conned and ~~lost~~ quarantined…”

90747878_10221348308127977_3750535227219378176_o — All photos courtesy of Chris Rutan Photography

As I think back to our glorious time at Midwest Craft Con 2020, I feel really lucky to be part of such an incredibly community. It was such a timely reminder before such an isolating time full of uncertainty.

We learned. We shared. We brainstormed. We crawled, crafted, karaoked. We grew as professionals, creatives, human beings. We bonded as sisters.

Thanks to our craft supply sponsor, Darice, for inspiring our instructors and offering casual crafts between sessions. We’re so happy to work so closely with an Ohio-based supply company who prides itself on supporting independant artists!

We were inspired by our speakers and instructors. Sara Trail, whose message of justice for all (and quilting for all!) resonated profoundly, despite being the youngest speaker we’ve ever had. Jennifer Perkins got us comfortable being out of our confort zone with her mixed media painting class. Elaine Grogan Luttrull got us over our fear of taxes with tips and tools. Plus many, many more.

As we move forward, before we even think about future programming (although we did announce that we will be hosting some kind of one-day event in the summer of 2021!), we want to make sure that our community is ok and want to help everyone stay connected.

We’ve hosted some virtual karaoke parties and happy hours in our private Facebook group, but we’d like to set up a more structured schedule of programming as we move forward.

Starting in April, we’re planning the following:

First Thursday: Craft Crawl: go Live in our Facebook during the day and share your craft projects, a book you’re reading. Share what you are working on or how you are passing the day.

Second Thursday: State of Craft Panel Discussion via ZOOM. We will record it and share if you can’t attend. Different topics each month with some panelists. We will record this if you can’t view during the specific time.

Third Thursday: Karaoke DAY – Dance, sing, lip sync for your life.

Fourth Thursday: Office/Happy Hour – Share a skill or offer advice.

Save the dates and we’ll get more details out soon! The best way to stay in touch is to sign up for our Newsletter.

Until next time, stay healthy and stay crafty. There are good things to come!

conference · News · workshops

DIY at Midwest Craft Con sponsored by Darice

November 7, 2019January 29, 2020 Megan GreenLeave a comment

Have you ever thought to yourself – I need a break or a little vacation to make things and get creative with my kind of people? Then Midwest Craft Con is the place where you can make it happen.

The Con has a wide variety of DIY, hands-on workshops – all geared for skill levels ranging from the beginner to the intermediate crafter and maker. The weekend is guaranteed to have you meeting lots of new friends and learning too. Explore all the making you can enjoy over the three day weekend next February. A big thank you to Darice for sponsoring the 2020 craft programming at the conference.

2020 Con DIY Workshops include:

Block Printed Wall Hangings + Tea Towels with Yetunde Rodriguez @yatoonday

Learn how to carve a block and design a pattern to create a block printed wall hanging or tea towel.

Hand Lettering with Natalie Keller Pariano @natterdoodles

New to hand lettering? Natalie will share her techniques to make a hand-lettered, canvas wall hanging.

She will also be teaching intermediate lettering for those who want to learn new and advanced techniques.

Voter Engagement Felt Patches with Al Hoff @alhoff2000

Make your own non-partisan, voter engagement patch for use on your jean jacket, bag, or whatever place you want to express yourself.

Mixed Media Painting with Jennifer Perkins @jenniferperkins

Jennifer will teach us how to “embracing our creativity” with a unique mixed media painting.

Inspirational Shrinky Dinks with Betsy Salzman @thesciencebee

Create “words of wisdom” favorite phrases, and words to inspire and motivate with this classic and fun craft now making a comeback.

Succulent Indoor Fairy Gardens with Nicole Pearch @partynwithplants

Design a magical landscape that tells a story in fun miniatures.

Darice will also be hosting their own creative sessions at Midwest Craft Con too! Pocket Journal with Darice

It’s made with cardstock and paper bags which create little pockets in each page of the journal.

Beaded earrings with Darice

Plus, there will be lots of casual, evening time craftivities for you to relax, enjoy, and spend time making with new friends. Experience pop-up shops, fun times, and crafty drinks in the rooms of our Craft Con partners and sponsors throughout the hotel on Saturday evening through our Craft Crawls.
Midwest Craft Con 3-day conference and one day tickets available now.

conference · News · speakers · workshops

Want to teach at Midwest Craft Con 2020?

June 18, 2019June 18, 2019 Megan GreenLeave a comment

Midwest Craft Con is looking for experienced creative business owners to share their hands on experiences with our attendees.

Last year attendees learned the art of shibori dying, crafted wooden jewelry and crafted their way into macrame with hands on workshops taught by creatives around the Midwest. In 2020 we are once again looking for makers to teach their skills in a variety of different formats.

Invited teachers will receive an honorarium, hotel stay and admission to our three-day conference and some additional surprises. We regret we aren’t able to invite to everyone who submits an idea, but we hope you will plan to join us no matter what! Interested teachers should apply here.

If you’ve got an idea for a talk you’d like to give at Midwest Craft Con 2020, fill out this proposal form by July 28th! We’ll get back to everyone who submits a speaking proposal in the middle of August, and announce the 2020 speaker lineup shortly thereafter.