We're on a mission to build confidence in creativity and empower a community of makers.
Handprint and Walnut Hollow are pillars of the creative DIY community, specializing in quality wood surfaces and wood-burning tools. With over 50 years of innovation and expertise, we're dedicated to growth—both as manufacturers and as makers!
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Welcome to our first member catalog!
Procraftination is real!
After a successful conference, I admit I had to step away from some Craft Con duties to catch up on family and being a human affairs. Running a non-profit is no different than running a business and I get the pleasure of watching our members thrive online while I do my best to manage a life, a day job and our community of crafting artists.
You all keep me going, wether it's watching you create your content on social media, pushing through the elements of pop-up markets and festivals to landing a new account to sell your art
It was truly amazing meeting so many members in person at the 2023 Craft Con event in Columbus, Ohio.
Thanks to everyone who's joined the member platform and thanks to our board and volunteers for their continued support. May your craft continue to shine!
Until we meet again!,
-Megan Green Executive directorIt’s been 3 years since we’ve hosted Craft Con in Columbus and so much has changed in the city Wether you are visiting Columbus for the first time or visiting our 2023 host city again, use this guide as a way to navigate your way around the Discovery District and the city for crafty spots we love. This is our third guide to Columbus.
Read on to hear from one of our past Keynote Speakers, Abby Glassenberg, the owner of The Craft Industry Alliance.
When I attended the inaugural Midwest Craft Con, Craft Industry Alliance was just about a year old. We were off to a strong start as a trade association serving the crafts industry, but were still just getting our name out there. Since then, the organization has grown a lot! We now have over 2,000 members which is so amazing I come from a sewing background so for me one of the joys of growing our membership has been learning about the business side of lots of other craft sectors like yarn and fiber, beading, and scrapbooking.
Yes! Our main news is that we are now the strategic partner with h+h americas, the premier trade show for the crafts industry For many years we were a trade association without a trade show, which was awesome in that it gave us time to truly develop the online, accessible resources that we provide to our members. Partnering with Koelnmesse in Germany to bring h+h to the US has added a whole new component to what we’re able to do, bringing retailers and manufacturers together and allowing our members to gather and meet in person each year.
One significant change was in our leadership. I co-founded Craft Industry Alliance with Kristin Link and for the first 3 5 years we led the organization together Kristin needed to leave the organization in May of 2019 and I ended up buying out her 50% share That was a big step, and a scary one! Since then, I’m so grateful to have assembled a fantastic team who have contributed their individual talents and skills in innumerable ways to make the organization as strong as it can be. After Kristin left, I signed up for leadership coaching. Working with incredible coach, Lauren Lambrecht, I was able to become a more confident leader which has really helped!
Craft Con Members represent crafting enthusiasts, hobbyists, artists and entrepreneurs from around the Midwest
Livnloop
Belmonili
Mallory Thiess
Stacy Wong
The Sewing Hive
The Makist
Alissa Head
Brit Charek
Claire Jennings
Esther Hall
The Bird + The Beard
Brad Leave
Chicalookate
KnottyGnome
Maker Street Studio
Jarz ArtGlass
Carrie Hay Maker
Purple Pin Cushion
Hot Wheels and Glue Guns
Nicole Zupich
Creative at Home Art
Heart and Honey Bee
Paper Acorn
DeWitt Bead and Wire
Betsy Greer
The Rowdy Lady Bug
Bluebird Studio
Kerri Knits
Blue Studio Creative
Mode Knit Yarn
Cordial Kitten
Sadly Harmless
LuCo Creative
Elevate Design
Christina Hollering
Jewelry by Carolyn
Bath Bomb Cart
Indy Craftivist
Autumn Hill Studio
Beige Plum
+ Join the membership group and connect with crafting artist across the midwest.
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YOUR SUPPORT ALLOWS US TO KEEP OUR MARKETPLACES OPEN, PROVIDES SCHOLARSHIPS AND EDUCATION. SUPPORTS THE WORK OF CRAFTING ARTISTS AND MAINTAINS OUR DIGITAL PROGRAMMING.
I loved being able to connect with so many makers over the weekend Especially mother makers that know the challenges with running a business and being a mommy It really placed my mind at ease to know I wasn’t alone in that Avenue nor the challenges with navigating entrepreneurship post COVID
I absolutely loved Toni’s keynote talk She is so talented and her experience and personality truly draws you into her word My most favorite takeaway from her talk was how to build a community around your niche I thought that was brilliant because we try so hard to follow a trend instead of being the trend and creating a niche that works for us so we can build a community.
The biggest takeaway from the weekend was how to create a workshop to add something extra to your business Customers really love experiences and Rose & Perry offers so many products that we can teach for a future workshop for customers. I really loved that idea and I actually never thought about it. Especially a travel workshop since we currently do not have a brick and mortar shop
My favorite session at MWCC was “How to make love to your customers!" I really loved this session because I really struggle connecting with my customers on a personal level I’ve always been so business forward that I forgot that I am a human being too and have a life outside of Rose & Perry that people are interested in as well
I would definitely recommend the conference to other business owners. I feel it is essential to be in the same room with like minded individuals that can make you hit the switch to tap into your creativity Sometimes breaking the day to day is necessary to blossom in your business.
