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Show a Crafter You Care With Our Holiday Gift Guide

It’s December, so the time is ticking down to buy the crafter in your life the perfect gift. We asked the Conners in our Facebook group what they’re wishing for this year to create this crafty gift guide. (Note: The Amazon links below include our affiliate info, so we earn a few percent back on anything you buy.)

And we must put in a plug for our own swag: We are offering $5 our Never Craft Alone tees and totes from the 2018 Midwest Craft Con! This super cute swag features the design by Gemma Correll and was printed in Columbus, Ohio, by Alison Rose. You can get them in our shop here!

What do crafters want to get as gifts this year? Here’s what’s on crafters’ wish lists:

Great scissors

No matter what kind of crafts a person gets down with, really good scissors always make a great gift. Sublime Stitching has a beautiful selection of thread scissors, ranging from $15 to $110. For all-purpose cutting needs, Kai scissors are top-rated on Amazon, ranging from $15 to $80. If you want to go big, Tula Pink’s hardware system is seven pieces of German-made sewing cutlery for $172.99.

ikea skadis pegboard system

A pegboard system

Lots of our Conners want to get more organized in the new year. We suggest checking out the infinitely customizable Skadis pegboard system from IKEA. A single 30″x22″ pegboard is just $9.99, and you can add as many additional boards and accessories as you want.

A paper calendar

There’s been a real planner renaissance recently. Getting off your phone and writing down tasks by hand can really help you focus and get a handle on what you’ve got to do. Our crafters love the annual planner-style Get to Work Book ($55) and the hanging Habit Calendar from Free Period Press ($18).

habit calendar, free period press

Craft appliances

Big-ticket items like crafting appliances make amazing gifts. Our crafters especially want the Silhouette Cameo 3 ($299), which can cordlessly cut a variety of materials. The Cricut Easypress ($149) has a 9″x9″ adjustable-temperature heating plate to make iron-ons easy. And the DYMO LabelWriter ($129) can change your shipping workflow forever. These items could be business expenses — treat yourself before the end of the year to a tax writeoff!

Gift cards

Of course, if you aren’t 100% sure what the crafty person in your life has on their wish list, you can’t go wrong with a gift card to your local craft supply store or indie craft shop!

Is there anything else you’ve got on your gift list this year? Let us know in the comments!

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Never Craft Alone Swag Is on Sale for Cyber Monday!

gemma correll never craft alone toteJust for Cyber Monday, we’ve knocked $5 off the price of our tees and totes featuring the Never Craft Alone design by Gemma Correll and printed in Columbus, Ohio, by Alison Rose! You can grab a tee in a scoop neck or crew neck for $10 instead of $15, and pack all your goodies in a tote for just $5 instead of $10! It’s the perfect gift for the crafter in your life. Find it all in our shop here!

Oh and in case you were wondering, Midwest Craft Con will return in 2020! We’ve got some great stuff in store, and look forward to announcing our plans in the new year!

Love ya!
Brit, Grace and Megan

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Pre-order your Gemma Correll Never Craft Alone T-shirt!

Working with creatives we admire is definitely one of the major perks of organizing Midwest Craft Con. When we reached out to keynote speaker Gemma Correll about drawing a tote and shirt design for our next conference, we knew she was going to knock it out of the park, but we were unprepared for how CUTE it would be.

gemma correll, never craft alone

These shirts are only available online as a limited edition run. You can pick them up at Midwest Craft Con or we have an option for shipping. Many thanks to our friends Alison Rose for working with us on the production and screenprinting these shirts right in Columbus, Ohio.

Attendees of the Con can pick their shirts up during the event — use the code PUGLOVE to remove the shipping charge if you’ll pick up your shirt at Midwest Craft Con. It’s also worth noting the Con’s swag bags will be limited edition canvas totes with Gemma’s design! The deadline for pre-ordering your Never Craft Alone shirt is Feb. 6, 2018, so hop to it:

never craft alone tshirt from gemma correll and alison rose
Classic grey T-shirt starts at $15
never craft alone tshirt from gemma correll and alison rose
Raglan in black & white starts at $20
never craft alone tshirt from gemma correll and alison rose
Scoop neck gray tee starts at $15

We may have some additional totes with the Never Craft Alone image available for sale after Midwest Craft Con, and we will post those on our Big Cartel shop, but the only way to guarantee that you get one is to come to the con. 🙂

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The Introvert Life with Gemma Correll

gemma correll, cartoonist,When we asked our Conners who they’d most like to see speak at a future con, Gemma Correll’s name came up more than once. We live to serve the craft community, and we made it happen!

Originally from England, Gemma is a writer, artist and cartoonist residing in Oakland, Calif., with her trusty pug sidekicks, Mr. Pickles and Bella. Gemma’s published works include The Worrier’s Guide to Life, The Feminist Activity Book and A Pug’s Guide to Etiquette, as well as her award-winning eponymous series of quirky, humorous greeting cards and gift products that are sold all over the world. Gemma is particularly well known for her comics about mental health in collaboration with charities including Mental Health America.

Gemma will be giving a keynote talk at Midwest Craft Con 2018 in Columbus, Ohio, but until then you can learn more about her below:

How would you describe your work to someone who isn’t familiar with it?

My work is narrative-based illustration with an emphasis on simple linework, humor in the form of wordplay … and pugs.

You are so huge on social media — how do you manage your big following and still get work done?

The things I post on social media are the things that I’d be making anyway. I spend as much time as I can on personal work — it only takes a couple of minutes to post.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BVgASUzjzEF/?taken-by=gemmacorrell

Have you ever been to the Midwest before? Any thoughts, questions or concerns?

I have been to Lincoln, Neb., and Milwaukee, Wis. At first, I was very overwhelmed by the amount of space in the Midwest. I grew up in England and now live in the Bay Area in California — neither of which are known for being spacious. But I actually enjoy the feeling of freedom that comes with having more space and the more relaxed pace. I also find people in the Midwest to be very friendly. I’ve been to Louisville, Ky., a few times, and I know that’s technically the South, but it’s one of my favorite US cities.

What would you be if you weren’t an artist?

I’d be a teacher, a social worker or a psychologist, I think.

What will you talk about in your keynote?

I am planning to talk about where ideas come from, how to get through a creative block and then show you some photos of my pugs (because that’s what y’all really want to see!)

What three things would you recommend to makers?

Yoga (to help with posture and general mental health), animal companions and a good coffee maker.

What are your tips for introverts who are going to a conference?

Conferences can be a little overwhelming, especially if you’re an introvert but you feel like you have to be “on” all the time. I take frequent breaks — if I don’t, I get very tired and overstimulated. Just having a short walk outside to grab a coffee really helps.

What are you looking forward to most about Midwest Craft Con?

I find it really inspiring to be around like-minded people. I work at home by myself and it’s easy to get stuck in a rut. I really enjoy learning new crafts, too — especially when it’s just for fun (rather than for “work”). I’m also looking forward to visiting Columbus — I’ve heard good things about it, and there’s a tiki bar there that I’m dying to visit!

You can meet Gemma Correll at Midwest Craft Con in Columbus, Ohio! The event is Feb. 16-18, 2018, and early bird tickets are on sale now!

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Tickets are on sale now!

Oh yes, early bird tickets for the 2018 Midwest Craft Con are on sale NOW! Click here to get your ticket on Eventbrite. Midwest Craft Con runs from Friday afternoon to Sunday afternoon, Feb. 16-18, 2018, at the Embassy Suites Dublin, about 20 minutes north of downtown Columbus, Ohio.

Our theme for 2018 is Never Craft Alone. We are moving to a new intimate setting located about 25 minutes away from downtown Columbus to the concrete cornfields of Dublin, Ohio. Our headquarters will be the Embassy Suites Dublin, which is going to be more affordable for our Conners and offers perks like free parking and breakfast!

The Midwest Craft Con is a three-day retreat for mid-career crafters, makers and creative business owners. The conference includes inspirational keynote addresses, thought-provoking panel discussions, hands-on workshops and business-focused breakout sessions from experts from Ohio, the Midwest and beyond.

kathy cano murillo, kelley deal, gemma correll, midwest craft con keynote speakers 2018

Our keynote speakers for 2018 are the Crafty Chica herself, Kathy Cano Murillo, knitter and Breeders rockstar Kelley Deal, and cartoonist and pug parent Gemma Correll!

Breakout sessions will include expert advice on everything you need to know about running your small business, from marketing and social media to legal and accounting advice to ideas for stoking your creativity. Speakers joining us in 2018 include Stephanie Dyke, Betsy Greer, Vickie Howell, Mei Pak, Alison Rosen, Tara Swiger, Kim Werker and Adrienne Wiley! Plus we are adding more craftivities, LOTS of DIY workshops, midday stretches, pool activities and and all the googly eyes you can handle!

What’s included?

Three days of sessions, panels and keynote speakers, plus fun maker-centric activities and ample socialization time. Your ticket to Midwest Craft Con gets you 24-hour access to the Embassy Suites. The Embassy Suites offers free breakfast and a happy hour every day, and parking is free, too! Note that you’ll be responsible for paying for your own room and meals that aren’t included.

When you register, we’ll send you a confirmation email with a link to reserve your hotel room. We highly recommend staying on site, as events will go late into the evening, and our contract is contingent on our people booking rooms. We’ve negotiated a special price of $99 for attendees, and you must book through the hotel reservation link to get this rate. (The suites sleep up to six people!) We’ll also invite you to join our private Facebook group for Midwest Craft Con attendees, where you can find someone to share a room with if you’re coming on your own!

We expect early bird tickets to fly away, so do not wait to grab your three-day-pass at the discounted rate of $199. There are only 100 tickets available at that discounted rate; after early birds sell out, the full-price ticket is $249. Get your ticket here!

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Save the Date for 2018 + Keynotes Revealed!

Midwest Craft Con is back! We are returning to Columbus, Ohio, in 2018 for our third Con with three days of programming and three amazing keynote speakers!

Write it on a Post-It, save it to your phone’s calendar, wrap some yarn around your finger… whatever you gotta do to remind yourself that Midwest Craft Con is happening Feb. 16-18, 2018, and early bird tickets will go on sale August 1!

Our theme for 2018 is Never Craft Alone. We are moving to a new intimate setting located about 25 minutes away from downtown Columbus to the concrete cornfields (it’s a thing) of Dublin, Ohio. Our headquarters will be the Embassy Suites Dublin, which is going to be more affordable for our Conners and offers perks like free parking and breakfast!

And now for this crazy amazing lineup… are you ready? Our keynote speakers are:

kathy cano murillo, kelley deal, gemma correll, midwest craft con keynote speakers 2018

SERIOUSLY! We are still pinching ourselves. And we’ve still got a whole lineup of breakout speakers to announce, plus we are adding more craftivities, LOTS of DIY workshops, midday stretches, pool activities and and all the googly eyes you can handle!

We expect early bird tickets to fly away, so do not wait to grab your three-day-pass at the discounted rate of $199 when they go on sale August 1. There are only 100 tickets available at that discounted rate; after early birds sell out, the full-price ticket is $249.

Once you secure your ticket, you’ll get all the details of how to reserve your room as well as access to our secret Facebook group where you can hang out with other creative business owners all year round. You can find a roommate/new best friend in the group, too.

Sign up for our newsletter to get a reminder when tickets go on sale! No one is going to craft alone this February, and we hope to see you in 2018!