Cathy Pitters is a crafter from Portland, OR who creates Bossa Nova Baby, a line of handcrafted clothes and accessories, and who co-organizes Crafty Wonderland, PDX’s art and craft extravaganza. Many of you may have heard her speak about how to organize a craft market at the Summit of Awesome last year or met her [...]

On the last weekend in January I walked the New York International Gift Fair for the first time as a merchant. It was a large, sprawling and exhausting show. The biggest take away I got from this ginormous expo was the importance of story. As a merchant, story was everything to me.
I walked the floor [...]

The Holiday Season is here. As the month progresses, warm, fuzzy, seasonal memories of yore may flood your mind: sipping egg-nog with loved ones, munching on latkes, caroling in the snow, and wearing ugly sweaters, to name a few.  I, however, believe this special time of year means one thing: WAR.
In case you didn’t already [...]

My iPhone is currently the closest thing in my life to a firstborn child or a spouse, and I’m pretty sure I am not alone in this. I have certain friends who are in long-term, committed relationships with their hand held devices.  They care for them, obsess over them, and buy things for them. And [...]

This Saturday come take a crafty break, during Crafty Bastards, and sit down with us at the Hello Craft booth (#76!) and Make Something Awesome.
This fun make and take area is where you can try your hand a making some of the instructed craft projects, or go crazy and use the supplies and come [...]

Each week follow along as we document the trials and tribulations of a festival organizer. In this behind the scenes look we share what it takes to organize and produce one of the largest and best craft fairs on the east coast. Read all the entries in the series here.

Saturday August 21, 10:12am I arrive [...]