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Happy Handmade Holiday Sale & Deals!

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There is a lot going on for everyone at this time of year , so let’s keep this short & sweet.

Our annual Happy Handmade Holiday Sale is now ON and runs through January 15, 2016. Choose to use either Coupon Code:

  1. HOHOHOLIDAY20 – For 20% off of any order, shipped anywhere in the world!
  2. HOLIDAYFREESHIP – For free Priority USPS Shipping anywhere in the US (only).

Our annual Happy Handmade Holidays Sale and Coupon Codes are good through January 31, 2016! And both Coupon Codes are valid in our Webshop here and in our Etsy Shop here as well. So you can treat your friends, family and even yes, yourself. You’ve been good. You deserve it too.

We are shipping every day with joy from our studio right to you until Christmas Eve, December 24th. For USPS Christmas Delivery Dates, click here. And for expedited shipping rate quotes email us! We’re happy to make holiday magic with you.

A Quick Word About Shopping Small:

When you shop with small businesses, handmade makers, and American made artisans your purchases make a direct impact on many lives. For instance, in our case, when you shop with us, we then also support other small, local businesses. How? We source our materials from US-based and US-manufacturing producers & distributors for our papers (like Domtar Cougar and French Paper), inks ( we use mainly Speedball), screens, squeeges, output films (all from Pittsburgh’s own Tech Support Screenprinting Supplies) and more. We also wholesale our art work to many independent shops (local favorites Wildcard in Lawrenceville and Sapling & Sons in Beaver, PA) around the country who do more of the same and support more small businesses in turn.

We think it’s a pretty great cycle; we hope that you do too. Best & brightest! Happy Holidays to all!

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It’s Handmade Arcade Time!

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HA_2015_Medium_rect_banner

 

Yay! It’s here! It’s here! It’s Handmade Arcade Time! Come join us + over 150 other amazing Handmade Makers from around the country this Saturday, December 5, 2015 (one day only!) for the best of the best in every way. Handmade Arcade is FREE to attend and very family friendly with lots of maker-activies for everyone.

Handmade Arcade is highly anticipated event that attracts more than 9,000 attendees in one day. HA provides craftspeople and artists working outside mainstream and fine arts sectors with a grassroots, high-visibility venue to sell wares, build community, network and share their artistic practice. Handmade Arcade, founded in 2004, is Pittsburgh’s first and largest independent craft fair. Now in its twelfth year, HA brings young, innovative crafters and progressive do-it-yourself designers to the David L. Lawrence Convention Center on December 5, 2015 to sell, their handmade, locally produced, and offbeat wares at a bustling marketplace.

Come join in one of the best, biggest, and brightest Holiday Shopping and Maker events in the US this Saturday and share good times with friends & family while finding incredible, Made In The US handcrafted goods.

HA_2015_shoppersHere is a list of the 2015 Vendors and for more info about Handmade Arcade visit their About Page here.

This is year is extra special as Handmade Arcade is debuting their first ever publication, a fabulous Coloring Book called “Things Making Things”, designed for all ages (no, really) with the artwork of 10 local artists, including us (eeeeeeee!). The Coloring Books will be available for purchase from the Handmade Arcade Booth as well as participating artists and ALL proceeds benefit upcoming Handmade Arcade Outreach & Education projects.

And as always Early Birdie Shopping Passes are available for stress-free first looks before the crowds roll in.

For a great preview of what’s in store, check out this video from KDKA News Pittsburgh Today live with organizers Jennifer Baron & Jill Chisnell here.

With past Handmade Arcade Photos and Videos here. It’s a super fun time, and we can’t wait to see you all this year!

 

  • The Details:

  • Who: Over 150 Maker Artists and Handmade Crafters from around the USA.

  • What: Handmade Arcade, founded in 2004, is Pittsburgh’s first and largest independent craft fair.

  • When: Saturday December 5, 2015 from 11am – 7pm – ONE DAY ONLY!

  • Where: David L. Lawrence Convention Center, Downtown Pittsburgh – 1000 Fort Duquesne Blvd. Pittsburgh, PA 15222

  • Why: Because Handmade is best yinz!

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Happy Thanksgiving To All!

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Happy Thanksgiving!

This year, like every year, we wish one and all a wonderful day of Thanksgiving, no matter where you are.

And like every year, the best way I know to recapture that ultimate Thanksgiving feeling is via this perfect and lovely Charles Schulz cel illustration. Why? Because it’s the best there is. Enjoy the A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving in it’s glorious entirety below.

Wishing you all a Happy Thanksgiving in all of it’s meanings for you.

 

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I Made It! For The Holidays Show this weekend!

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Hello Pittsburgh! Join us this weekend for the first of TWO awesome Holiday shows right here at home in the super fun I Made It! For The Holidays Market.

We will be at the nomadic and always changing I Made It! For The Holidays on the evening of 11/22 and during the day on 11/23 vending with over 80 other cool Makers of all things Handmade and awesome. This is a great opportunity to find special, handmade and hand crafted gifts for Hanukkah, Kwanza and Christmas, and everyone on your list. Both naughty AND nice.

Our booth is in the old Abercrombie & Fitch store space (can you get more Pittsburgh than that for direction?) directly across the from the Starbucks. Just look for the brightly colored prints and come say hello! As always we will have lots of our hand pulled silkscreen Art Prints, Rock Posters, Alphabet Prints, Lunch Bags and brand new, fresh off the presses 2014 Turtledoves Wall Calendar (both in Spearmint and Kraft colorways) and more!

The first 50 shoppers each day will receive a GOODIE BAG filled with awesome goodies from the vendors at show. YAY!!!

  • Who: Over 80 of the region’s best Handmade Makers, Artists, & Crafters. Prints, jewelry, ceramics, apparel, home goods, bath & beauty, and so much more!
  • What: I Made It! For The Holidays
  • When: 2 days ONLY – Friday, November 22 (from 5pm – 10pm) and Saturday, November 23 (from 11am – 6pm)
  • Where: at The Waterfront INSIDE two vacant retail spaces (next to The Gap and across from Starbucks ~ previously Hollister and Abercrombie & Fitch). Our storefronts are located directly across from each other via a walkway that passes in front of Starbucks which is located at 270 West Bridge Street, Homestead, PA 15120. Here is a google map.

Visit The Waterfront’s Website here.

See you at the I Made It! For The Holidays show Pittsburgh & Homestead!

 

 

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strawberryluna Holiday Crafty Shows Schedule!

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Handmade Holidays ‘Ho!

The Holidays are just around the corner! Here is just a quick outline of our upcoming Holiday & Craft Show Schedule all featuring Handmade artists and makers, for the rest of 2013. (We will post more in-depth about each show approximately a week or so prior to each one.)

  • November 16th:  Craftin’ Outlaws in downtown Columbus, OH from 10am – 5pm at the Veterans Memorial. It’s out first time doing this show, so show Handmade some love Columbus and come on out! We’ll be there selling our wares with lots of our best Pittsburgh maker-friends too as well as over 95 other awesome Handmade vendors. For more info click here or the image below!

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  •  November 22nd & 23rd: I Made It! For The Holidays in Homestead / Pittsburgh PA, at the Waterfront. New location! New wares! New fun for the Holidays! We’re excited to be a part of this nomadic show, with tons of amazing local artisans and crafty vendors. It’s become a Holiday tradition! So come join us on Friday evening, 11/22 from 5pm – 10pm and Saturday 11/23 from 11am – 6pm at The Waterfront, next to the Starbucks kiosk and start ringing in the Holidays Pittsburgh! For more info click here or the image below!

http://imadeitmarket.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/imi-holiday-handbill.jpg

  • December 7th: Handmade Arcade, in downtown Pittsburgh, PA at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center. Now in its 10th year, the amazing Handmade Arcade is sure to be just as spectacular as ever with over 8,000 visitors & shoppers coming out to find the best of the best by both local and nationally recognized artists and craft handmade makers. For more info click here or the image below!

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And as always, you can find our current list of events and schedules as well here on our Events Page. Happy Holidays!

 

 

 

 

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USPS 2013 Holiday Shipping Cutoff Dates Guidelines

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Vintage_Mailman_Christmas

Hello hello!

Yes, I know that it’s the day before Halloween, I really do. (And I couldn’t be more excited for one of my favorite Holidays!)

But for those in both the online selling and shipping game, as well as the millions and millions of us that love to shop online, there is one day of the year that is quietly special. And that is the day that the USPS publishes their Holiday Shipping Cutoff Dates and Guidelines for getting our brown paper packages tied up with strings out of our festively decked doors and into the mailstream for our customers.

So without further ado, here are the USPS 2013 Holiday Shipping Dates for every territory and level of shipping available whether it be a leisurely First Class or super speedy Global Express.

To ensure delivery of holiday cards and packages, please refer to the below chart to make sure that your items arrive by December 25th. (Click for a larger version.) And don’t forget, this year Hanukkah begins in the evening of Wednesday, November 27, 2013 and ends in the evening of Thursday, December 5, 2013.

Cheers to all!

2013_USPS_Holiday_Shipping_Cutoff_Dates

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Ho Ho Holidays – December Sale in our @Etsy Shop!

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The Holidays should be fun, easy, bright, and definitely not stressful. OK, we know that they often do end up being a bit stressy. To that end, we hope to help.

All December long we’re offering our HOHOHOLIDAYS Coupon Code for 15% off of any and all orders through our Etsy Shop. No matter what your total damage? We’re here to lessen it.

We’ll be shipping just about every single day in December to wherever you are, or to whomever you wish. We’re happy to ship directly to your gift recipients. And you know what? We even include customize gift notes for you.

Need expedited shipping? No problem! We’re experts at that too. We can ship via USPS, FedEx and Overnight Express. You name it, we can do it most any time. Feel free to inquire about expedited shipping costs!

Click the above or below images to visit our Etsy Shop and during checkout use the Coupon Code: HOHOHOLIDAYS for 15% off of everything!

HOHOHOLIDAYS Now through December 31st.

Happy & brightest Holidays to you!

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Quick Reminder – I Made It! Holiday Market Friday & Saturday @Bakery Square

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Click for more info about I Made It! Holiday Market!

Just a zippy reminder about the I Made It! For The Holidays show this weekend at Bakery Square in Shadyside.

It’s our last show of  2011 and we’re looking forward to going out with a bang. We’ll be vending with over 80 other artisans and crafty makers of awesome all offering our handmade works for sale for the holidays Handmade makes for special and fun holiday gifting!

The shopping & holiday festivities will include over 80 artisans, demonstrations, music and merriment as shoppers warm up from the cold, see friends and make new ones, and best of all, cross all of the names off of their holiday shopping lists.

The Import Details:

FREE to attend & FREE Garage & Lot Parking too!

What: I Made It! For The Holidays, arts & crafts show featuring handmade works of awesome.

Where: Bakery Square,  Ground Floor, 6725 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15206 View Map · Get Directions

When:

  • Friday December 2nd from 5pm – 10pm
  • Saturday December 3rd from 11am – 6pm

Why: Because Handmade Is Best.

Bakery Square by night. I Made It Market is on the ground floor. Easy to find!

ABOUT I Made It! Market :

I Made It! Market is a nomadic indie crafts marketplace. We provide opportunities for local artisans to bring their wares to market and we partner with non-profit, arts and community groups to raise awareness and funds for their causes.


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I Made It! Holiday Market 12/2 & 12/3 – See you there!

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Click for more info!

Hooray! A great, local and locovore craft & art Holiday show is coming up! We’re thrilled to be a part of the 5th annual I Made It! For The Holidays, and this year’s show is going to be the best yet. Join us and over 80 other artisans and crafty vendors offering our handmade works for sale. Handmade makes for special and fun holiday gifting!

This year’s I Made It! Market, Holiday edition takes place on Friday evening, December 2nd from 5 – 10 pm and Saturday, December 3rd from 11 am – 6 pm at Bakery Square on Penn Avenue. And it’s totally free to attend! Parking is free too!

We will have tons of hand silkscreen printed art prints, alphabet prints, t-shirts, and rock posters and more on hand for gifts for friends, family, even you. That’s right! So come on over and say hi!

The shopping festivities will include over 80 artisans, demonstrations, music and merriment as shoppers warm up from the cold, see friends and make new ones, and best of all, cross all of the names off of their holiday shopping lists.

Sponsors Include: Bakery Square, The Cotton Factory, Revive Marketing Group, Dozen, Assemble

The Import Details:

FREE to attend & FREE Garage & Lot Parking too!

What: I Made It! For The Holidays, arts & crafts show featuring handmade works of awesome.

Where: Bakery Square, 6725 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15206

View Map · Get Directions

When: Friday December 2nd from 5pm – 10pm / Saturday December 3rd from 11am – 6pm

Why: Because Handmade Is Best.

ABOUT I Made It! Market :

I Made It! Market is a nomadic indie crafts marketplace. We provide opportunities for local artisans to bring their wares to market and we partner with non-profit, arts and community groups to raise awareness and funds for their causes.

For More Info About I Made It! Market:

 

ABOUT BAKERY SQUARE:

Bakery Square is a new mixed-use development located in the East End neighborhood of Pittsburgh, built out of the existing site of the historic Nabisco Factory. Offering an exciting lifestyle center environment while hosting numerous free events to connect with its neighbors and guests,
Bakery Square is home to Google, UPMC, Anthropologie, Free People, Urban Active Fitness, Coffee Tree Roasters, Learning Express Toys, Springhill Suites Marriott Hotel, Massage Heights, Boxwood, University of Pittsburgh, Veteran Administration and more.

For More Info About Bakery Square:
www.facebook.com/bakerysquare
www.bakery-square.com
6725 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15206
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Happy Halloween!

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Run!

Yay! It’s Halloween, my fav-o-rite! From current celebrations to Halloween’s incredibly rich pagan history across many cultures and groups of people and religions, the close of summer and the end of the harvest is an incredibly powerful and interesting time. Be a dork like me and learn more here: Halloween Wikipedia entry.

Here are a few vintage Halloween postcards that I’ve found around the web and really love. I’m just fascinated by how many postcards used to be produced to commemorate nearly every day. And as always with vintage postcards, the emotional and stylistic gamut they run is so interesting.

We’ve got your spooky (above) and your portraiture (below)

It's like a family photo.

A little classic witchery, complete with some amazing characters in the cauldron’s smoke.

Witch & kitty & friends.

A touch of what the…???

The traditional Pumpkinhead & Owl BFFship.

The traditional Pumpkinhead Baby & Owl BFFship.


Rad pumpkin cart!

Sage advice from the Greeks to us.

A little Victoriana is always found in postcard art:

Vintage Sexy Witch, omg!

Some things never change.

The Man In The Moon likes what he sees.

And this gem that has a lot more in common with Halloween’s ancient thematic roots of the harvest and fear of winter than most of things we see now:

Scary!

So, enjoy!

Happy Halloween scary blast from the past. Poor Pluto!

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Vintage Christmas Cards

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The imagery for Christmas cards might seem like a given these days, simple  & bold graphics, perhaps tending towards the nearly unidentifiable winter or generic holiday look. Don’t get me wrong, I love a pure graphic approach to a card. But there is something very engaging and fun about vintage and old-fashioned Christmas cards that really gets my attention.

From the traditional Victorian look:

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To the very sweet and peaceful 1940’s style, such a contrast to the reality of that era. Don’t you want to live in that little snowy village?:

Dont you want to live there?

And the flowing, natural yet stylized Arts & Crafts-centric 1920s look of this beauty:

 

1920s

 

Dashing glamour, sweeping elegance and the highest of hopes translated into a party scene:

 

 And yet, so many cards were not as soft, sweet or traditional, unlike so much of today’s Christmas cheer fare as edited and produced by (perhaps overly) PC and inoffensive greeting card companies. Prime examples of a more ironic, or bitter take on the Season:

 

polar

And the of course, there is Margaret Keene (you thought it was Walter, didn’t you!) being a little creepy for Christmas:

 

There was even a time when Christmas celebrations were outlawed in Boston, MA the Protestant heyday. Bah Humbug!

For more vintage Christmas goodness, check out these Flickr pages and groups:  Vintage Christmas: 1945-1970, profkaren’s set  Vintage Greeting Cards and a lovely assortment in sakameg’s Flickr account.

While this isn’t a card, this WPA poster is just the tops.

 

Works Progress Administration poster for The Federal Youth Theater's Christmas Carol production.

Works Progress Administration poster for The Federal Theater for Youth’s Christmas Carol production.

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