Craft Congress, Pittsburgh 31.03.07 - 01.01.07
March 15th, 2007
Michelle will be representing the Leeds Craft Mafia (and prettycraftythings) at Craft Congress - the first ever worldwide conference for indie/diy craft movement organisers being held in Pittsburgh on March 31st and April 1st! What a lucky lady - read all about this fab event from the official press release below:
CRAFT CONGRESS IS IN SESSION
Indie/DIY craft movement organizers holding first-ever worldwide conference
Craft Congress, the first-ever gathering of the DIY/indie craft movement’s leaders will be held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on March 31 and April 1, 2007. The goal is to build connections between the movement’s organizers who have been primarily working in their communities; Craft Congress attendees will share knowledge and experience, creating a network and fostering the movement’s growth.
Fifty participants from across the U.S. and Canada (and one from England - yep, that will be our Michelle!), will attend this gathering of leaders of the increasingly popular craft subculture. Many attendees will stay in the homes of Pittsburgh hosts.
Craft Congress is organized by the creators of Handmade Arcade, (www.handmadearcade.com), Pittsburgh’s first indie craft fair, which began in 2003. The idea grew from the indie craft community that was forming across the country, primarily via the Internet. Countless Web sites, online stores, blogs and forums connect crafters. These new crafters are mostly young women, in their 20’s and 30’s, who delight in combining retro images with traditional craft techniques to produce practical items with an off-kilter, humorous streak. There is no right or wrong. If anything, the movement is defined by its eclecticism.
Knitting with Kool Aid dyed wool is new craft, using cocktail umbrellas to make lamp shades is new craft, turning album covers into purses is new craft.
Fueled by Internet relationships, the number of indie craft fairs across the U.S. has tripled in recent years. Craft Congress’ goal is to strengthen the indie craft community by sharing ideas and experiences and discussing the future of indie crafting. Portions of the sessions will be podcast for those who are not able to attend. Participants will discuss best practices and explore ways to expand their markets, techniques for guerilla marketing, business challenges, such as “big box” stores’ attempts to rip off the DIY aesthetic.
A recent survey of 100 indie crafters found that more than 25% have recently switched from part time crafting to full time. Almost 85% report their 2006 sales were up from 2005. They sell via their own Web sites, (56%), at fairs (90%) and in brick and mortar stores (47%).
Details
When: Saturday, March 31 and Sunday, April 1, 2007
Where: Spinning Plate, 5720 Friendship Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15206.
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