Pittsburgh Forum

Are you looking for last minute holiday gift? Love to buy local? Check out the Sweets & Boutique on Sunday, December 11, 2011 from 11 am to 3 pm at Epiphany Catholic Church, 184 Washington Pl., Pittsburgh, PA (Next to Consul Energy). Visit HelloBully.com for more details.

What could possibly be better than jumping on the Buy Local band wagon than purchasing handmade gifts for everyone on your holiday shopping list? BORING you say. I say not.

I Made It Market has an endless variety of Craftsmen who participate in their shows. You can get a feel for the variety by visiting I Made It Market on line at http://imadeitmarket.com/. I was interested to know if the “Buy Local” Trend has helped sales. Carrie did respond on twitter when I ask –

@IMadeItMarket Have you noticed that more people are shopping at your shows as part of the shop local trend?

@zether : re: shopping trends: we are lucky to always have passionate shoppers who seem to always help spread the word! so not due to trends.

Nick Mohler, Program Director, Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen, (@handmadeinPA on Twitter) was kind enough to respond to my question about whether the “Buy Local” has increased sales or if the state of the economy has affected sales on twitter.

@handmadeinpa okay, Have you seen the buy local trend increase sales for local crafters? Or is the economy affecting sales?

@zether the answer is yes to both, which makes it tricky to assess sales. But absolutely the buy local movement is making an impact. The recession has also helped get buyers to closely consider their purchases, and spend a little extra on something more durable rather than buying something cheap that won’t last.

Apparently for the discerning shopper, quality and social economic value seem to the treatment for Big Box shop fatigue.

Think you won’t be able to find something for everyone on your list? Think again.

For example; you’re going to buy your brother a t-shirt for the holidays, you always buy him a t-shirt. Check out the really cool line of Hello Bully T-shirts.

You ALWAYS buy Nana a scarf, Nana loves scarves she has drawers full of them. Why not buy her a hand knit scarf to keep her warm while she waits on the Port Authority Bus to take her to Giant Eagle.

Your loyal Fido is always hard to shop for, but you will find LOTS of Doggie goodies at this show.

You are always on the lookout for unique black and yellow gear for Dad surely you can find something at one of these locally owned businesses –

• All of the Hello Bully gear
• Ninety-Five Design: Unique tees
• Skull Soup: Handmade jewelry, metal and wood sculptures & wire work
• Scentsy: Wickless candles, fragrant wax, light bulb warmers & accessories
• Become Beauty: Skin care products
• Premier Designs Jewelry: High fashion jewelry
• Tastefully Simple
• O’Hara’s Landing Handmade Gifts: Hand knit & crochet items, handmade goats milk & olive oil soaps & photography (sorry we don’t have a webpage yet but you can stalk me at twitterzether)
• Dog Collars by Suzie
• Megan Long (Independent Artist): Handmade & upcycled jewelry, vintage jewelry, crafts, home goods & paintings
• Pittsburgh Paws: Pet Products (toys, treats, collars and leashes)
• Annette’s Head Candy: Wearable art (hats, Steeler hats, Steeler dog collars & fun & funky kiddie color hats)
• Bessemer Vintage: High quality vintage clothing ranging from every day wear to collectible pieces & advertising art
• IUP Fashion Association: Upcycled necklaces, purses & clothes made by the students of the IUP Fashion Association
• Thirty-One Gifts: Purses, totes, thermal totes, zipper pouches and many other great gift items
• Jutting Arts: Fine art photo prints and framed prints
• Pixie Girl Blue: Wire wrapped gem stones and glass tiles, necklaces, pendants & rings
• Maggie Wired: Crochet & knit wire jewelry and home accents
• Kelo’s Krafts: Gifts in a jar- brownies, cookies & bath salts in mason jars
• Heart of Mine: Author to sign recently published dog book (4 PAWs Forum) & handmade beaded jewelry
• Puppas Patty Wagon: Homemade organic doggie ice cream & cones
• Felt Darling: Felt flower wreathes & felt hair clips & accessories
• Ain’t That the Berries: Baked goods & handmade photo post cards, framed photos & other photo related items
• Aunt Scary’s Wicked Wearables: Hair flowers & jewelry
• Trattare Dolce Biscuit Bakery: Gourmet dog biscuits & gifts
• Oh Melisa!: Applique childrens clothing, stationary and jewelry made from vintage trinkets
• American Honey Frames & Decals: Personalized frames & decals

Sound like fun right? But will you come? Will you buy something? Will you help support Local Artists?
Does it help if I tell you I’ll be there? It’s my first craft show as a small business owner. Why this craft show? Well, it’s Pittsburgh, and it’s Hello Bully. Remember to stop by O’Hara’s Landing Handmade Gifts and say hello.