Now entering its fifth year, the ever-growing Handmade Arcadeis the largest indie craft fair in Pittsburgh and one of the largest in this corner of the country. As you’ve probably guessed, everything sold at the fair is handmade, giving the event a kitschy, often silly, feel that more standard arts and crafts fairs lack. (We can pretty much guarantee you won’t find any landscape paintings here.)

Held on Saturday, November 8 AND Sunday, November 9 in the Hunt Armory (324 Emerson St.) in Pittsburgh’s Shadyside neighborhood, there’s no entry fee, and food and drink vendors will be there too!! With over 80 vendors and more than 8,000 in attendance last year, this is not an event to be missed.

What Handmade Arcade Can Do for You

First and foremost, Handmade Arcade will introduce you to dozens of local vendors who make (sometimes literally) one-of-a-kind items. As the event is held in Pittsburgh, this includes a lot of Burgh vendors, including Built In Pittsburgh, Garbella, Ray-Min Shoulderware, and Tugboat Printshop which features the work of accomplished printmakers Valerie Lueth and Paul Roden.

There are, however, plenty of vendors from other parts of the country, including two from Morgantown: Lemon Cadet and Curious Machine, a vendor at Open Thread’s Variety Variety Variety fundraiser.

If you’re an indie arts-and-craftsman (or woman), stay tuned to Handmade Arcade’s website insummer 2009, when they’ll open registration for next year’s fair. In the meantime, volunteer for a two hour shift or check out their nifty early birdie sale, which costs just $15 and gives you first dibs on the whole fair! (They’ll be mailing the passes outon October 29th, so order yours soon!)

Garbella

(Pictured: bicycle chain ring clock.)

Ray-Min Shoulderware

(Pictured: messenger bag.)

Tugboat Printshop

(Pictured: “Battlecrabs in Love,” from
the duo’s “Deep Blue Sea Woodcuts.”)

Lemon Cadet

(Pictured: a ringer onesie.)