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August is here—and we’re deep in the handmade hustle! 🎨
It might still be summer, but behind the scenes at Handmade Arcade, we’re already dreaming in glitter and glue guns. With Holiday Market jurying kicking off this month, we’re deep into prep mode—and excited to introduce you to the folks who will help shape this market's maker lineup!
We're also looking ahead with big plans for 2026 markets, growing community programs, and securing the support that keeps HA strong and affordable.
This month’s newsletter is packed with goodness: ✨ A membership survey giveaway winner reveal (is it you?!) 🛍️ Your new favorite tool for fall gifting—our year-round Maker Directory 🔍 A behind-the-scenes look at what we’re building this fall
Plus, we’ve got new member perks on the horizon, volunteer opportunities, and a spotlight on an amazing new sponsor.
Whether you're deep in the studio or soaking up the last of summer, we're so glad you're here. Let’s dive in!
Craftily yours,
Arianna Conley |
| | 2025 Holiday Market Updates |
| | Cue the confetti— applications are IN!
A huge thank-you to the 420+ incredible makers and 50+ inspiring youth makers who applied to this year’s Holiday Market! We’re blown away (again) by the talent and creativity in our community.
Still want to get involved? Applications for HOHA (Hands-On Handmade Arcade) are still open! If you're a maker, artist, or creative business with a knack for interactive experiences, we’d love to have you join us in bringing hands-on magic to this year’s event. Applications submitted by September 13 will be prioritized. |
| | | Behind the scenes, we’re now prepping applications for our mid-August jurying process—where your work gets reviewed by a panel of artists, curators, and community leaders who help us shape the final vendor lineup.
Curious who’s behind the jury table? Scroll down to meet the nine creative powerhouses who will be reviewing this year’s applications! |
| | | Shop Small, All Season Long! |
| | Your go-to gift guide is right at your fingertips!
Looking for the perfect back-to-school gift, birthday surprise, or just-because treat before the Holiday Market rolls around? We’ve got you covered!
Handmade Arcade’s Maker Directory is home to over 175 incredible makers—and it’s open 24/7 for all your shopping needs. Whether you’re celebrating an anniversary, stocking up for fall, or supporting local creatives “just because,” this is your shortcut to thoughtful, one-of-a-kind finds.
You can browse by product type (jewelry, ceramics, skincare, home goods—you name it) or search by maker identity, including LGBTQIA2+-owned, women-owned, BIPOC-owned, and more! It’s a curated, community-powered shopping experience made just for you.
Support small. Shop handmade. Celebrate what makes Pittsburgh’s creative community so vibrant—every day of the year. |
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| | Are you a maker who wants to be featured in the directory? We’d love to have you! 🎉
Listings are completely free and open to artists, designers, and creative small businesses of all kinds. Just fill out a quick form and you’ll be added to our growing, searchable directory. |
| | | | | Thanks to everyone who took the survey in our July edition of the Handmade Herald! We’re thrilled to announce the winner of our Membership Giveaway:
🥁Renee Hajdukiewicz🥁
Renee has been notified via email that she’ll receive a full year of all of our membership perks, packed with exclusive handmade perks (and maybe a few surprises along the way 😉).
We’re so grateful to everyone who shared their thoughts in the survey! Your input helps shape the future of Handmade Arcade—and ensures our programs and events remain meaningful, creative, and community-focused.
Though the giveaway has ended, we’re always eager to hear from you. Your feedback helps us grow, improve, and better serve our incredible community—please feel free to click here to share your thoughts with us!
But wait, there’s more... Beginning this fall, we’re rolling out info on brand-new perks just for members—some of which will be available to all tiers! If you’re already a member, keep an eye on your inbox for special release emails. And if you’re not yet part of the crew, there’s never been a better time to join. |
| | Stay tuned—big things are coming! |
| | A Peek Behind the HA Curtain |
| What we’re working on… (besides sipping iced coffee and obsessing over your applications)
Late summer into fall is always a whirlwind for our small but mighty team—and this year’s no different!
We’re deep into Holiday Market jurying prep, carefully reviewing and organizing 420+ applications ahead of our in-person jury day. A panel of nine expert jurors will score each submission, supported by our team behind the scenes. Applicants, keep an eye on your inbox—notifications go out in late August!
Behind the scenes, we’re also evolving. Our newly restructured sponsorship program now includes three tracks—small business, media, and corporate—designed to better align with partners while keeping HA strong and accessible. Check out the details on our Sponsorships page!
We’re also growing our impact with exciting new maker-serving programs in the works—including a mentorship program and an affinity group to help build deeper connections within our creative community.
Plus, we’re proudly supporting our current BIPOC Maker Accelerator cohort while gearing up for this fall’s Youth Maker Accelerator workshops—helping young makers explore entrepreneurship and creativity in new ways.
And yes—we’re already dreaming about 2026, with three markets on the horizon: ✨ An early Spring 2026 market 📚 A mid-year, Back-to-School-time market 🎄 And of course, our flagship Holiday Market
Big things are brewing, and we’re so excited to bring them to life with you! |
| | How you can help! Want to support Handmade Arcade beyond shopping and showing up? |
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Volunteer with us! We’ll be announcing volunteer opportunities soon—including the standard two-hour shifts at our markets where you’ll get snacks (yum) and 15 raffle tickets as a thank-you for your time. It’s a great way for individuals and groups to get involved.
💡 Does your workplace offer volunteer time off? Reach out—we’d love to help you get your team involved as a group!
Keep in touch + share your thoughts! We’re always looking for ways to improve, and your feedback matters. Our post-market and annual shopper surveys are a great way to tell us what’s working and what’s not. Just like last month’s general survey, many of them come with the chance to win awesome prizes—so don’t be shy!
Your support—whether it’s showing up, speaking up, or lending a hand—is what keeps this community so special. 💛 |
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| Sponsor Shout-Out: Because Science |
| | | | | All photos courtesy of the artist |
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| This month, we’re beyond excited to shine the spotlight on Because Science, a first-time Handmade Arcade sponsor bringing serious brainy joy to our creative community!
Founded by Amanda Preske, a chemist-turned-artist with a PhD in semiconductors (yes, really!), Because Science transforms recycled electronics into bold, handmade circuit board art—think logos, icons, and science-inspired designs crafted from upcycled tech. What began with jewelry made from broken circuit boards has grown into a wildly imaginative shop celebrating all things STEM, from molecule-inspired earrings to stuffed axolotls and periodic table socks.
Because Science specializes in custom pieces for labs, companies, and curious minds alike—and believes that curiosity belongs to everyone. Their work uplifts the thinkers, tinkerers, late bloomers, loud question-askers, and quiet cloud-watchers alike. Woman-owned, nerd-powered, and handmade, their mission is to make science feel joyful, inclusive, and full of possibility.
We’re thrilled to welcome Amanda and the Because Science team into the Handmade Arcade family. Their sponsorship helps us keep our programming inclusive, exciting, and accessible—and we can’t wait for you to explore their amazing work for yourself!
Visit their D.C. storefront, follow them on social, and explore their creations—you might just find the perfect gift for the science-lover in your life (even if that’s you!).
And while they’ll be joining us in person at the Holiday Market in December, we’re so grateful they’re supporting Handmade Arcade year-round! |
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Catch you next month—same time, same creative spark. 💛 |
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