Tag: midwest

Save the Date for Midwest Craft Con 2023!
conference · craft shows · Craftin' Outlaws · keynotes · News · speakers

Save the Date for Midwest Craft Con 2023!

Featured Megan GreenLeave a comment

Midwest Craft Con is back and we have so many exciting announcements to share! 

Who’s speaking at the CON?
Our keynote for 2023 will be: Toni Lipsey of TL Yarn Crafts.

TLYarn-52

Toni Lipsey, the designer and instructor behind TL Yarn Crafts, strives to inspire others’ creativity through online tutorials and modern, approachable crochet patterns. Toni learned to crochet from her mother as a teenager and has been exploring the possibilities of yarn ever since. Her current design obsessions are oversized shawls and modern home decor. When she’s not crocheting, you can find Toni cuddled with her 2 kittens and husband in her Ohio home, binge-watching the latest true-crime thriller on Netflix. Follow her daily crochet journey on Instagram and pick up her book, The Tunisian Crochet Handbook, and patterns on tlyarncrafts.com.  Stay tuned for our full length keynote interview.

When is Midwest Craft Con returning?
Never Craft Alone at Midwest Craft Con which will be held March 31 – April 2, 2023 in Columbus, Ohio!

In addition to the 3 day conference, we are adding Craftin’ Outlaws, our annual marketplace on Sunday, April 2 to close the event. 

All experiences will be hosted at the Columbus Museum of Art. Attendees will gain access to the Museum and discounted room rate but it’s not required to stay at our contracted hotel. 

Ticket Breakdown:

  • $299.00 – Member tickets open 9/15/2022
  • $349.00 – Early Bird tickets open 10/1/2022
  • $450.00 – General admission tickets opens 11/01/2022
  • $175.00 – $200.00 Day passes open 1/15/2023

If you haven’t been to our conference, prepare yourself for an endless weekend filled with pom poms and googly eyes, while you build your creative business. Get ready for our keynote(s) to fill you with inspiration, meet your creative heroes you admire online, and prepare to see colleagues you only see across the aisle at craft fairs.  Make new friends who help provide the extra drive you need to keep your business growing, long after the conference has ended. 

Read more about joining us and lodging. 

Stay tuned for speaker & workshop sign ups, scholarship forms, roommate options, and interviews with our keynote(s) and so much more!

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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!

Save the Date for Midwest Craft Con 2020!
keynotes · News

Save the Date for Midwest Craft Con 2020!

Megan GreenLeave a comment

Midwest Craft Con is back and we have so many exciting announcements to share! Grab your ticket today. 

Who’s speaking at the CON?
Our keynotes for 2020 will be:.

  • Twinkie Chan is a crochet designer, author, blogger, YouTuber, and Creativebug instructor known for her colorful, food-themed accessories like cupcake scarves, hamburger mitts, and slushee cup purses
  • Sara Trail is an author, sewing teacher and pattern and fabric designer. A graduate of the Harvard University Graduate School of Education, she founded the Social Justice Sewing Academy (SJSA) to be a platform where youth create art that engages and educates communities. craft con 2019 (3).png

When is Midwest Craft Con returning?
Crafting your own adventure at Midwest Craft Con will start on February 28th – March 1st, 2020 in Columbus, Ohio! If you haven’t been to our conference, prepare yourself for a an endless weekend filled with pom poms and googly eyes, while you build your creative business. Get ready for our keynotes to fill you with inspiration, meet your creative heroes you admire online, and prepare to see colleagues you only see across the aisle at festivals.  Make new friends who help provide the extra drive you need to keep your business growing, long after the conference has ended.

Our theme for 2020 is Craft Your Own Adventure. We will return to the concrete cornfields (Google it!) of Dublin, Ohio. Our craft headquarters will be the Embassy Suites outside of Columbus.

Stay tuned for new team members, speaker & workshop sign ups, early bird release dates, scholarship forms, interviews with our keynotes and so much more!

RSVP Online or sign up to our newsletter to stay up to date on all the announcements!

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!

strung by shawna, string art, usa map 2018 Fall + Holiday Craft Shows Around the Midwest
News

2018 Fall + Holiday Craft Shows Around the Midwest

Megan Green2 Comments

Midwest Craft Con was founded by three craft show organizers with the mission to help people grow their handmade businesses. While we are still recovering from our conference — sign up for our emails to get details on the next con in 2020 — we are deep in the DIY craft show scene all year round. This list of craft shows and fairs around the Midwest and adjacent states for the rest of 2018 is our gift to makers who want to branch out to new markets. But it’s also for handmade fans who feel like taking a craft show road trip!

strung by shawna, string art, usa map
Art by Midwest Craft Con alumna Strung by Shawna

Know any other indie craft shows 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!

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!

Shop the Midwest Craft Con Trade Show
News

Shop the Midwest Craft Con Trade Show

Megan Green1 Comment

midwest craft con, author book signing, trade show

The Midwest has SO many great independent craft stores and boutiques. One of our many goals at Midwest Craft Con is to help connect these store owners with our  talented attendees.

Whether you’re looking to take a creative keepsake for a loved one, or pick up some books and products from our speakers for yourself, Midwest Craft Con’s trade show is a perfect place shop. You can stop by the trade show to shop from Friday 2 to 7 p.m., Saturday 12 to 6 p.m. and Sunday 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

These are the shops you’ll be able to shop with during this year’s conference:

And there’s even more fun to be had:

  • Office Hours: Some of our speakers are open to sharing their knowledge with you one-on-one with office hours you can sign up for at the Con. The hours and experts participating will be posted in the Trade Show.
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.