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I Made It! Market

The do-it-yourself craze is sweeping the nation, from fairs like Bazaar Bizarre and Renegade, to magazines like CRAFT and Readymade, to networking hubs like Craft Mafia and Stitch 'n' Bitch. Locally produced I Made It! Market is helping to put Pittsburgh on this vibrant cultural map.

What sets I Made It! apart from typical festivals and boutiques is the event’s nomadic nature. Traveling from site to site to tap into Pittsburgh's authentic neighborhoods, I Made It! brings new crafts to communities that might otherwise lack resources to stage similar markets. Partnering with local organizations, I Made It! has raised funds for the Brew House Association and Sprout Fund.

Launched in May with 20 vendors, the event now boasts 50 crafters peddling few-of-a-kind wares, from home furnishings to organic bath products to vegan cupcakes. Developed by local crafters Carrie Nardini and Nina Barbuto, I Made It! provides a spontaneous arena for young entrepreneurs to establish independent businesses, experiment with their products, and solicit shopper feedback.

Aptly dubbed “scary,” the market offers a fresh take on standard craft show fare. Look out for crafters in costume at this lively retail event. Peruse cuddly crochet dragons and PVC hula hoops, or pick up a knitted neck warmer to beat winter’s chill. Featured vendors include Disquieting Designs, Cleo Dee, and ThePlumCrazyTree.

All that shopping make you hungry? Make it a night in Braddock, with a spaghetti and drinks dinner at the Elks Lodge followed by HotMetalMoon, an art performance at the 11th Street boat launch, which will feature the RiverCubes Project, hotmetalhappening and musical accompaniment by Centipede Este.

On Dec. 8, I Made It! will host a holiday market in the Steel Valley Arts Council’s Artspace 105 gallery in Homestead.