Tag: crafty guide

dublin ohio arts council The Crafty Guide to Dublin, Ohio
City Guides

The Crafty Guide to Dublin, Ohio

Megan Green1 Comment

When we decided to move Midwest Craft Con up north of Columbus, Ohio, to the Embassy Suites Dublin for 2018, we reached out to the Dublin Arts Council to introduce ourselves and let them know we would be bringing the glitter to their quaint and historical community. Dublin is home to a number of large-scale permanent public artworks, from a statue celebrating the life of Native American Chief Leatherlips to a field of more than 100 human-sized concrete ears of corn.

Alexa Demyan tells us: “Dublin, Ohio, is the perfect location for the next Midwest Craft Con. With a variety of stores, shops, and places to visit, any crafter is sure to love this city.” Thanks to her and the Dublin Arts Council for this crafty city guide!

Will we see you in Dublin in February? Tickets for the full weekend and for single days are on sale now! You can explore Columbus, Ohio, on Thursday night and Friday morning before the Con starts on one of our crafty caravans. 

Crafty Stores

1 Stop Bead Shop
6347 Sawmill Road, Dublin, OH 43017
Catering to both novice and experienced jewelry makers, this store sells beads, stones and tools of all shapes and sizes. There are more than 90 classes offered per quarter in addition to one-on-one instructional sessions, so whether you’re a beginner or experienced jewelry maker, you’ll find materials to inspire you.

Chelsea Borough Home
54 S. High St., Dublin, OH
This home décor store features a distinct mix of trendy items, unique vintage pieces and works by local artists. Mother and daughter owners Christena and Tena Wentz are home décor enthusiasts who are dedicated to finding fun, unique and beautiful items perfect to inspire your home.

JoAnn Fabrics and Crafts
2747 Festival Lane, Dublin, OH 43017
You know this one for sure: JoAnn Fabrics and Crafts has supplies for all your arts and crafts needs, plus in-store and online classes. In addition to their vast selection of products, the company has a corporate giving policy in which they partner with certain organizations to help raise money.

Knitting Temptations
35 S. High Street, Dublin, OH 43017
This all-things-knitting store has all your knitting needs covered, with yarns made from alpaca, buffalo, silk, acrylic, linen and even paper fibers. Knitting Temptations also hosts various classes for every skill level throughout the week. If you’ve run out of your favorite yarn after leaving Dublin, you can reorder direct from their website.

Quilt Beginnings
6591 Sawmill Road, Dublin, OH 43017
This specialty quilting supply store sells fabric, sewing machines and other crafty tools in an assortment of patterns, materials and textures. Quilt Beginnings also hosts group classes and walk-in instructional sessions with experienced quilters.

Red Rooster Quilts
48 Corbins Mill Dr., Dublin, OH
Featuring Gammill Statler Stitcher quilting machines, pre-cut material and charm packs, the shop also features artisan jewelry, lampwork beads, onsite classes and more. Finished quilts and interesting completed projects adorn the store’s quirky antique displays, so stop in for some creative inspiration.

Tuesday Morning
6545 Perimeter Drive, Dublin, OH 43016
The craft department in Tuesday Morning is full of some of crafting’s best brands, including Louisa Harding, Aslan Trends, and Fiesta. You can find high-quality craft supplies including craft tools, paper crafts and scrapbooking kits from brands such as Graphic 45, Loew Cornell, and Melody Ross.

Crafty Food and Drink

101 Beer Kitchen
7509 Sawmill Road, Dublin, OH 43016
This locally owned restaurant and beer kitchen was opened in 2012 and strives to educate the community about beer and cuisine. Their extensive craft beer list features seasonal beers from all over the world. Be sure to pair a beer with some handcrafted, rustic cuisine for a delicious flavor combination.

Brazenhead
56 N. High St., Dublin, OH 43017
This Irish pub in the heart of Historic Dublin is the perfect place to enjoy authentic Irish food and beer. The restaurant got its name and is inspired by The Brazenhead, the oldest pub in Dublin, Ireland. Stop in to share stories with friends and enjoy live music on the weekends.

The Goat
5730 Silver Falls St., Dublin, OH 43016
This restaurant’s handcrafted cuisine offers delectable dishes for every palate. In addition to their daily food and happy hour specials, The Goat also hosts live entertainment and other events. The restaurant even hosts volleyball competitions during the spring and summer months.

Matt the Miller’s
6725 Avery-Muirfield Drive, Dublin, OH 43016
This restaurant with an upscale tavern atmosphere was started in Dublin, Ohio. With several beers on tap and an extensive menu featuring flatbreads, burgers and more, this is the perfect spot for a delicious dinner or Sunday brunch for the whole family.

The Pint Room
4415 W Dublin Granville Road, Dublin, OH 43017
In addition to their gourmet burgers, The Pint Room has more than 100 different craft beers available to pair with your meal, some of which are locally brewed, while others are from around the world. If you’re not looking for a full meal, their Bar Bites menu also offers smaller appetizers.

RAM Restaurant and Brewery
6632 Longshore St., Dublin, OH 43017
What makes RAM Restaurant and Brewery unique is its variety of cuisine: Every location’s menu is different. Its seasonal, local food options include sandwiches, salads, burgers and more. The Dublin location is in close proximity to the beautiful Scioto River, so be sure to explore the area after your meal.

Our CupCakery
16 N. High St., Dublin, Ohio 43017
Home of the “Create your own Cupcake Bar,” our CupCakery is always busy baking cakes, cupcakes, cookies and other desserts for all occasions. Locally owned and operated by award-winning small business owner Linda Kick, the shop also offers gluten-free treats.

Places for Makers

Dublin Arts Council
7125 Riverside Drive, Dublin, OH 43016
This local arts organization “engages the community, cultivates creativity, and fosters life-long learning through the arts.” The site features a historic French-eclectic styled building, sloping riverfront grounds with picnic tables, several piece of public art and a well-established gallery that is free to the public. Don’t miss out on the self-guided public art tour.

Marcy’s Clayground
6685 Dublin Center Drive, Dublin, OH 43017
This contemporary paint-your-own pottery studio is located in Dublin Village Center. With more than 150 ceramic pieces and 80 glazes to choose from, you can make a custom creation with stamps, stencils and more. Your piece will be ready for pickup in one week after being fired in the kiln.

Terra Gallery
36 N. High St., Dublin, OH 43017
This studio specializes in creative painting parties. The impressive gallery also offers custom framing and the option to rent the space for a private party. Check out their event calendar for more information regarding private and public painting parties, art lessons and birthday parties.

We can’t wait to get crafty with you in Dublin, Ohio, from Feb. 16 to 18, 2018!

Advertisement
gather, indie craft store, bloomington indiana The Crafty Guide to Bloomington, Indiana
City Guides · Resources

The Crafty Guide to Bloomington, Indiana

Megan Green1 Comment

Hoosiers know that Indiana is more than just Indianapolis. A little city just to the south of the capital has quite a crafty reputation, and we asked fellow conner and all around crafty badass Talia Halliday to create this crafty city guide to Bloomington, IN.

Public service announcement: The next Midwest Craft Con is Feb, 16-18, 2018, in Columbus, Ohio, and tickets are on sale now!

I’ve been lucky enough to call Bloomington home now for (omigoodness) almost 20 years and, honestly, around every corner just about every day there’s a new public art piece being installed or a new art co-op being founded. It’s amazing to live in such a small town with a heart and public hand in the arts. Our little town is so supportive of everything we do, be it an art fair, a handmade store or a mural spanning a city block. It’s a pleasure to call this artsy city home. — Talia Halliday

gather, indie craft store, bloomington indiana

Crafty Stores

Gather
116 N Walnut St, Bloomington, IN 47404
Gather is located in the heart of downtown Bloomington and carries the handmade work of over 300 makers from the Midwest and beyond, focusing on modern and independent handmade designers. Gather also hosts bi-monthly craft nights and is home to a monthly changing gallery as part of Gallery Walk Bloomington.

The Venue
114 S. Grant St., Bloomington, IN 47408
The Venue is located in a quaint Victorian house just off Kirkwood Avenue, close to Indiana University, focusing on “the finest in artistic and functional, handcrafted works of art.” They also host weekly events spanning from art talks to music.

By Hand Gallery
101 W. Kirkwood Ave. Suite #109, Bloomington, IN 47404
A handmade art gallery co-operative featuring ceramics, textiles, paintings, drawings and woodworking, as well as an extensive jewelry selection.

Made at Artisan Alley
222 W. Second St., Bloomington, IN 47403
Made focuses on selling the artwork of emerging makers in the Bloomington area. Artisan Alley is also the home of businesses including venue rental, artist studios, art galleries, co-working space, music studios, a cidery and so much more.

Honorable mentions: Global Gifts, In a Yarn Basket, Pygmalion’s Art Supplies, Kleindorfer’s Hardware, Friends of Art Bookshop

Places for Makers

Bloominglabs
1609 S Rogers St., Building 4, Bloomington, IN
Bloomington’s very own hacker space! A space for sharing tools and knowledge to make stuff! Bloominglabs is Indiana’s first maker space.

Ivy Tech John Waldron Arts Center
122 S Walnut St., Bloomington, IN
The John Waldron Arts Center houses a unique blend of artists, performers and educators. They host many stage performances, four galleries and art classes for all ages.

I-Fell Building
415 W. Fourth St., Bloomington, IN
Located on the near-west side of downtown Bloomington, the Fell houses working artists’ studios, small businesses and a bakery.

FAR Center for Contemporary Arts
505 W. Fourth St., Bloomington, IN, 47403
Opening in 2018, FAR will be host to a gallery, library, venue rental space and so much more.

Honorable mentions: Artisan Alley and the Monroe County Public Library

Craft Shows

  • Bloomington Handmade Market: Organized by Gather, BHM will be celebrating 10 years in 2018. BHM has a holiday show the second Saturday in November featuring 80+ indie makers at the Monroe Convention Center. And in 2018, BHM will be rolling out its first outdoor summer fair on the first Saturday in June.
  • Fourth Street Art Fair: Created in 1977 and held over Labor Day Weekend, Fourth Street Art Fair is one of the premier fine art fairs in the Midwest, featuring artists and craftspeople from all over the country.
  • Honorable mentions: Art Market at the Fell Building and Weekends at Artisan Alley

Best Vintage

Cherry Canary
214 W. Fourth St., Bloomington, IN 47404
The best place to find in vintage clothing in downtown Bloomington. Nuff said.

Bloomington Antique Mall
311 W. Seventh St., Bloomington, IN 47404
Located in one of Indiana’s most vibrant downtown districts, the Historic Bloomington Antique Mall features quality antiques merchants, artists, and artisans, in 50 showcases and 120 booths.

Jeff’s Warehouse
424 S. College Ave., Bloomington, IN 47403
The place to go for mid-century modern furniture and fixtures — also home to a funky fun mix of industrial fixings and decorative arts.

Crafty Hangouts

Cup & Kettle
208 N. Walnut St. #100, Bloomington, IN 47404
This tea shop downtown makes their own loose-leaf teas and serves local coffee and pastries. Locally owned (of course) by two strong lady bosses and makers, the shop hosts monthly craft nights, knit nights, games nights and more!

Hopscotch
235 W. Dodds and 212 N. Madison, Bloomington, IN
Best coffee shop in town owned by the best people. Hop has two convenient locations, the best modern style and the tastiest coffee.

Rainbow Bakery
201 S. Rogers St., Bloomington, IN
Also in the Fell Building and owned by the family behind Hop, Rainbow is a vegan bakery that has amazing pasties, donuts, muffins and cookies. The Twin Peaks references and the plant wall make this my favorite!

Talia Halliday is the owner of Conduit Press, an arts business specializing in hollow books and leather goods. She also organizes the Bloomington Handmade Market with the help of a few very opinionated minions and runs her own brick-and-mortar shop called Gather in downtown Bloomington, IN. 

The Crafty Guide to Cincinnati
City Guides

The Crafty Guide to Cincinnati

Megan Green3 Comments

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.

hoop and needle

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. 

crafty supermarket crowd

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

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!