One of the things that makes Pittsburgh great – is the affordable cost of living here.  In recent years, a number of groups have started to promote and support local crafters and artists. Now there are lots of festivals, some shops and websites where you can purchase interesting, one of a kind, handmade items from local artists and crafters.  Over the past few years the craft seen in Pittsburgh has flourished with a couple of different groups working to promote handmade businesses.  A few years ago, I had a ton of fun spending an afternoon with some of the crafters at the beehive talking blogs and business and I honored to be included on their panel on social media this weekend.  Not only is the crafting movement a good thing for the local economy but its great to see  a groups of passionate people supporting their businesses and creating a fun community in Pittsburgh.

The Business of Craft is a day long workshop this Saturday, hosted by the Pittsburgh Craft Collective.  This is a day of workshops and speakers focused on how to improve your crafting business.  While this is being organized by crafters – I think that many of the topics will also apply to small business as well and there will lots of info on using the internet to promote your business.

I will be one of the panelists talking about social media and small business.  I am looking forward to meeting these amazing other presenters Tara Gentile of Scoutiegirl.com, Carrie Nardini of I Made It! Market, Alissa Martin of Pavement, Michelle Hammons of Burgh Baby, Mundania Horvath of Steeltown Anthem.

The Business of Craft
Saturday, July 24, 2010 9am-4pm
@ The Union Project

Click Here for the complete schedule and details

Local Business is Good Business for Pittsburgh

This is good for the local economy too – dollars spent locally have a greater impact on the local economy.  And it is just nice to meet the people who make things and to know where something comes from too.  From the 3/50 Project – which is a campaign about supporting local businesses:

For every $100 spent in locally owned, independent stores, $68 returns to the community through taxes, payroll, and other expenditures.  If you spend that in a national chain, only $43 stays here.

Here are some other blog posts about crafty things that might be of interest…

• Get Crafty at Make:PGH (craftzine.com)
• Craft website Etsy brings big sales to small businesses (telegraph.co.uk)
• Crafting and Social Networks — For Fun and Profit! (blogher.com)
• Urban Craft Uprising Arrives at Seattle Center (seattlest.com)
• Book Review + Giveaway: The Handmade Marketplace (craftzine.com)
• Crafting Community Helps The Gulf Coast (timesunion.com)
• Hello Craft’s Summit of Awesome in Portland (craftzine.com)