Craft Con reCON

Craft Con 2023 is a WIP no more!

We convened. We connected. We constructed a world around us draped in craft and sprinkled with community.

In total we hosted just over 60 attendees over the 3-day weekend, plus 30+ crafting artists during Craftin’ Outlaws.

Our speakers shared their talents and knowledge. Toni Lipsey dazzled us with her community guided keynote take. Our sponsors offered us space and materials to convene under the name of craft.

Enjoy a few pictures from the weekend, revisit out the program catalog and keep tagging us with your pictures and takeaways. Thanks to everyone who pitched in and we look forward to gathering again in 2024.

conference · News · speakers · workshops

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 · 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.

conference · News · speakers

Want to talk at Midwest Craft Con 2020?

June 2, 2019June 19, 2019 Megan GreenLeave a comment

2018 Midwest Craft Con Speakers from left to fight: Crafty Chica, Gemma Correll and Lesley Ware speaking on one of our all in panels.

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

Our audience ranges from small business owners just starting out to those who have been in business for 10 years. A successful session pitch will keep those business people in mind, and we love it when people put their own spin on the topic. Breakout sessions are 1.5 hours in length, including 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 we’ve had in the past, check out 2018’s schedule here.

Invited speakers 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!

News

Meet our Speakers in 1-on-1 Office Hours

January 22, 2018February 3, 2018 Megan Green1 Comment

purposefully restored — Image credit: Purposefully Restored

As Midwest Craft Con approaches, you’ve probably spent some time reviewing our our schedule and plotting which sessions you’ll attend. Our craft business speakers will share their knowledge with you in 1.5-hour breakout sessions that include Q&A time. Many of our speakers also post their notes or slides in the private Facebook group afterward, and our attendees often make their notes available to swap if you have to make tough decisions about which sessions to attend.

In addition to our breakout classes, our generous speakers and community sponsors are offering Office Hours during the con as well. These are 10- to 20-minute consultations and advice sessions that you can sign up for at the con.

Each day we’ll post a new list of speakers offering one-on-one time within the trade show — signups will be available on a first-come first-served basis. You simply write down your name in the time slot and then meet with your coach in the lobby. We will have reserved tables marked for these meetups.

One-on-ones will include sessions with:

Mei Pak, who can assist you with social media critiques.
Let Olivera Bratich who owns Wholly Craft and Surprise gaze into her crystal ball to tell you your business fortune!
Ask our resident account, Allison Rosen, your burning money questions.
Esther Hall can field you with advice about nonprofits and grant-writing.
The team behind Handmade Arcade will offer booth and craft show advice.
Daniella Cortez can help you with PR and and pitching your products to publications.
Jodi Lynn Burton wants to interview Conners for her podcast, Detroit Craft Academy.
Embroiderer extraordinaire Sarah Fisher can offer technical advice as well as the good, bad, and ugly of the brick and mortar retail life.
Keynote speaker Vicki Howell gives tips on making your crowdfunding campaign successful.

And even more speakers will be participating! Stop by the trade show each morning to see the day’s full list of one-on-one time slots and sign up.

News

Look who’s talking at Midwest Craft Con 2018!

September 27, 2017February 23, 2018 Megan Green1 Comment

The third edition of Midwest Craft Con, happening Feb. 16 to 18, 2018, in Columbus, Ohio, is going to be chock-full of craft business sessions, inspiring keynote talks and hands-on workshops.

Our keynote speakers are the Crafty Chica herself, Kathy Cano Murillo, cartoonist and pug parent Gemma Correll, and Kelley Deal, a knitwear designer who is also in a little band called the Breeders.

The breakout sessions on craft business topics range from marketing and PR to accounting and legalities as well as getting into wholesale and scaling up your operation. The speaker lineup for 2018 includes some familiar faces as well as new friends! Such as:

Adrienne Wiley on scaling up
Betsy Greer on craftivism
Vickie Howell on Kickstarter
Daniella Cortez on PR basics
Tasha Branham on mass retail
Margot Madison on customer profiling
Loi Lang on legalities for crafters
Kim Werker on getting Mighty Ugly

There’s just too much good stuff! Check out the whole lineup here.

The hands-on workshops are new this coming year — we’re working to make these activities free for attendees and totally casual. You’ll be able to drop in to any session that inspires you. Details to come!

You definitely don’t want to miss out — tickets are on sale now!

News

Meet a Speaker: Tara Swiger

February 2, 2017February 1, 2017 Megan GreenLeave a comment

Tara Swiger is the author of Market Yourself, a system for creating a marketing plan for your craft business. She began her entrepreneurial journey as a yarn-maker, and quit her day job in 2009 to be a full-time maker. She has been writing and teaching about handmade business for over five years, via (free) weekly lessons, her weekly podcast, and in-person and on-line courses. Her superpower is translating complex business principles into the language of artists and makers and turning theory into doable action plans. Tara’s taught marketing and business growth to traditional artists in rural North Carolina with the nonprofit Handmade in America, to yarn shop owners at their trade show, to alpaca farmers at the Camelid Conference, to makers at Craftcation and School House Craft Con, along with four classes with CreativeLIVE.

At Midwest Craft Con 2017, Tara will be teaching two sessions: Creating a Customer Path 2.0, and Developing Business Confidence.

How would you describe yourself in 10 words or less?

Enthusiastic reader, talker, teacher, author and introvert.

What is your favorite thing about the first Midwest Craft Con?

The PEOPLE! I had so many amazing conversations, hugs, and general silliness with so many people. Also, I met my now-book agent. So that was nice. 🙂

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

Well, I know what I was before I did this: A secretary. As for what I’d like to be: a psychologist. I wanna do research about why people act how they do. Motivation, failure, buying behavior — I love it all.

What are your personal and business resolutions for 2017?

They’re the same: Live my values, beam love, grow stronger and more resilient.

News

Crafting a Better Community: The Akron Craft + Social Club

January 28, 2017 britcharekLeave a comment

The Akron Craft + Social Club came together because three local creatives wanted to drive some positive change in their neighborhood, while having some fun at the same time.

Their mission is simple: to give a fun and fulfilling creative experience to themselves, to create beautiful gifts to give to one another and to give a donation to a local or national charity.

In the short time since they formed in 2016, Karen Starr, Mary Oliver Bethel and Jennifer Davis have launched monthly DIY workshops that have raised money towards local and national charities while giving Akronites the opportunity to make something unique and handmade. Their inclusive spirit has taken all the stuffiness out of philanthropy and encouraged the community to get down and dirty to inspire do-gooding! You can follow their beautifully documented adventures on Instagram.

Karen will be representing the Akron Craft+ Social Club at Midwest Craft Con by participating in a panel Sunday about philanthropic crafting. Also participating are Tricia Brancolini-Foley of Handmade Arcade, and Esther Hall, who is also teaching a session on grants for artists.

The panel will take place on Sunday. You can buy a day pass or get your ticket for a full weekend of fun here!

News

Meet a Speaker: Mei Pak

January 27, 2017February 2, 2017 Megan GreenLeave a comment

Mei Pak is a marketing strategist guiding and supporting small and creative business owners. She helps makers, artists and designers create more buzz for their business at Creative Hive Co. Business topics she is passionate about are PR and publicity, social media, wholesale, paid advertising, blogger outreach, pricing, branding, customer experience, web design and scaling up your biz without any capital. Mei also runs Tiny Hands, a line of handmade, scented food jewelry with her small team of assistants. Mei is an absolute foodie, loves chocolate, video games and adores wearing dresses.

At Midwest Craft Con 2017, Mei will be teaching sessions on Instagram Hashtag Research, Email Marketing for New And Repeat Sales, and Creating Profitable Membership and Subscription Products.

How would you describe yourself in 10 words or less?

I’m a goofball, foodie and life-long learner.

What is your earliest crafty memory?

When you have to think so far back, the memories get kind of fuzzy! I remember having these “just add water” painting books with Disney princesses. I’d dip my brush in water and paint in the drawings and the colors would magically appear! It made me feel like I could paint like an artist!

What is your favorite thing about the Midwest?

Life in the Midwest moves at the perfect pace. I love that!

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

Tough question because I believe most jobs or occupations rely heavily on creativity! But if I had to wager a guess, I might have been a math teacher in an alternate dimension.

What three things would you recommend to makers?

“The Happiness Project” by Gretchen Rubin
“Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion” by Robert Cialdini
Tony Robbins’ “Unleash The Power Within” (get that in audiobook!)

What are your personal resolutions for 2017?

I would like to spend more time dedicated to self care. I want to be happier, healthier and have less stress this year!

What are your 2017 resolutions for your business/professional life?

I’m working on scaling up my businesses with strategy and intention.

News

Meet the Speakers: Dana Walsh & Katie Swett of Weebly

January 25, 2017January 25, 2017 britcharekLeave a comment

Dana Walsh is the event and community coordinator at Weebly. While based in NYC, Dana travels across the country to work with some of Weebly’s 40 million users. Last year, both Dana led Weebly’s Like a Boss Bus Tour across the southeast to help over 1,000 Americans get signed up and online with Weebly!

Katie Swett is a senior product manager at Weebly. She currently lives in NYC with her husband and their mini goldendoodle, Henry. At Weebly, she manages two products, Weebly Themes and Weebly Promote, essentially crafting how your websites and email communications are designed.

At Midwest Craft Con 2017, Dana and Katie will present a session called Website Best Practices. They’re also giving a demonstration of what the Weebly platform can do for your small business on Friday night, followed by a hands-on workshop where conners can cook up a new website — and get a discount on their plans. Oh, and they’re providing happy hour drinks on Friday! Thanks, Weebly!

How would you describe yourself in 10 words or less?

Dana: I am an active and quirky individual who loves outdoor craftivities!

Katie: Aesthetically inclined, realistically optimistic, secretly competitive and a lifelong student.

What is your earliest crafty memory?

Dana: I recall basket weaving with my grandmother when I was about 7!

Katie: Making braided bracelets with my sister at summer swim meets.

What is your favorite thing about the Midwest?

Dana: Midwest Craft Con 🙂 and the beautiful snow!

Katie: Buckeyes (the dessert and the team) and the people!

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

Dana: I have always dreamed of being a professional athlete who gets to travel and compete across the world.

Katie: A patent lawyer, protecting people’s creations

What three things would you recommend to makers?

Dana:

Trust your unique and creative instincts.
Don’t be afraid to try something very very different and new.
Get off social media, and start living in the present and creative moment.

Katie:

Turn off your cell phones and computer — just take in your surroundings. Pinterest is GREAT, but sometimes you want to create trends and that inspiration often comes offline.
Be you — listen to yourself.
Travel — be inspired by real life and real people.

What are your personal resolutions for 2017?

Dana: I am trying to cook all my meals and get more creative in the kitchen.

Katie: I am training to run my first half marathon!