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

Hands-on craft and DIY workshops

January 14, 2018January 20, 2018 Megan Green1 Comment

At the first two Midwest Craft Cons, we focused on giving great business advice for craft business owners. But we know the creative side of our participants’ businesses is super-important, so for 2018 we’ve added a track of arts and crafts DIY sessions throughout the con so you can break up your business brainstorming to let your creative side shine. All attendees of Midwest Craft Con are able to participate in any of these classes without prior sign-ups. Get your 3-day ticket or day pass here!

DIY Workshops

Shibori Dyeing with Alternative Fashion Mob

Alternative Fashion Mob is a creative collection of fashion designers, industry professionals and couture enthusiasts dedicated to furthering the fashion industry in Columbus. You’ll see them around Columbus at events, fund raisers, pop-up boutiques, and at the mother of all fashion fests, Alternative Fashion Week. Learn the art of shibori dyeing with them at one of three workshops at Midwest Craft Con!

Painted Bangle Bracelets with Craft-a-away Camp

Located up in the woods of Michigan, you’ll find a small group of makers set up in a rustic lodge crafting their hearts off like they’re back in summer camp. Amy Cronkite will be teaching attendees to paint and design their own wooden bracelets three times over the weekend.

Macrame FUNdamentals with smARTStudio

Join smARTStudio founder Jennifer Davis for a Macrame FUNdamentals workshop, a creative opportunity to become a macramaniac! If you attend one of the three workshops, you’ll learn about the macrame process and using basic knots to create a wonderful wall hanging. Beginners are welcome. No experience necessary!

Painting party with Jesi Rodgers

You love her Instagram, and now you can paint with jesiii! She’ll host a laid-back painting party on Friday morning.

Affirmation stitching with Betsy Greer

Stitch a small affirmation Saturday morning to leave in public or give to someone you love (which could very well be yourself)!

Drawing pets with Gemma Correll

Learn to draw dogs and cats with keynote speaker and cartoonist Gemma Correll and make your own button to take home on Saturday afternoon!

Making journals with Igloo Letterpress

Learn how to bind your own journals with local maker Igloo Letterpress on Sunday morning. You’ll keep one and give the other to a charity in Columbus.

Evening craftivities

Once the day’s classes have ended and you’re SO ready to close your notebook, get ready for some more fun! The evenings at Midwest Craft Con are designed for you to let loose, unwind and make new friends over drinks, songs and crafts.

Handmade exchange: Attendees can swap handmade items with each another. Attendees must sign up ahead of time in our private Facebook group to participate.
Craft Crawl: Experience pop-up shops, fun times and crafty drinks in the rooms of our Craft Con partners and sponsors throughout the hotel on Friday evening.
Introvert hours: Play board games, puzzles or bring your work in progress to enjoy in a quiet, intimate space on Friday and Saturday evenings.
Pool party: On Friday night we’ve got extended pool hours just for conners, hosted by Surprise Modern Party. Enjoy a screening of The Knit Show with Vickie Howell and a movie TBD!
Craft Karaoke: It’s going down once again on Saturday night with One More Round Karaoke! Come prepared to sing your favorite song or just hang out and support your new friends.

News

Want to talk at Midwest Craft Con 2018?

July 11, 2017July 11, 2017 Megan GreenLeave a comment

Want to share your craft business knowledge with the entire Midwest? Midwest Craft Con is looking for experienced creative business owners to share their experiences with our attendees.

Our target audience is what we call mid-career makers, people who have run a creative business for at least two years. A successful session pitch will keep those businesspeople in mind, and we love it when people put 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. We’re not looking for medium-specific craft workshops at this time. To get an idea of sessions we’ve had in the past, check out 2017’s schedule here.

Invited speakers will receive an honorarium, hotel stay and admission to our three-day conference and some additional surprises. (If you buy an early bird ticket but then are invited to speak, we will refund your ticket.) 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!

If you’ve got an idea for a talk you’d like to give at Midwest Craft Con 2018, fill out this proposal form by Sept. 15! We’ll get back to everyone who submits a speaking proposal later in the fall, and announce the 2018 speaker lineup shortly thereafter.