Friday, December 14, 2012

A Clever Handmade Holiday Shopping Event

 
 
On Saturday, December 15, 2012, from 2:00 pm - 8:00 pm, Boutique 208 is proud to host "A Clever Handmade Holiday Shopping Event" to assist with your last minute  holiday shopping needs.  For more details, take a look at the Facebook event listing.
 
This event features a trunk show by  Bel Monili and juNxtaposition, who are both offering free gift wrapping for any of your purchases from either of them. 

Enjoy this last minute shopping event featuring wine, crudites, and free parking!

This Holiday Season, the Pittsburgh Parking Authority has given us the greatest gift of all—free Garage Parking on Saturdays! The Free Holiday Parking Program will run until December 22, and features free garage parking from 12:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. on Saturdays. Participating Downtown garages include: Third Avenue Garage, Smithfield Liberty Garage, Oliver Garage, Fi
rst Avenue Garage, Wood Allies Garage, Ft. Duquesne and 6th Garage, 9th and Penn Garage, and the Grant Street Transportation Garage.
 
Finish up your holiday shopping while you support local artisans!

Sunday, December 2, 2012

Handmade Arcade

Handmade Arcade, now in its ninth year, brings young, innovative crafters and progressive do-it-yourself designers to the David L. Lawrence Convention Center on December 8, 2012 to sell, their handmade, locally produced, and offbeat wares at a bustling marketplace. 
 
This event provides craft artists working outside mainstream and fine arts sectors with a grassroots, high-visibility venue to sell wares, build community, network, and share their artistic practice.
 
With last year's event, Handmade Arcade found a new eco-friendly home at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center which allows them to continue their commitment to the environment through the convention center's green practices (www.greenfirst.us).  This new home also provides space for more vendors than ever before (150+), the addition of new areas to feature demonstration artists, DJs, and musicians.  The central downtown location is accessible via car, bus, T, bike, and foot and there is extensive on- and off-site parking.

Situated on-site, near the vendors, their welcoming Hands-on Handmade area features a variety of drop-in, short, and day-long interactive programs — including craft demonstrations, mini-tutorials, make-and-take activities, craft competitions, and art installations — all designed to bridge the gap between consumers and creators. 
 
Don't miss your chance to support local artists and purchase unique handmade holiday gifts for those on your list at this year's event.  Remember, you're not only supporting local artists, but your local economy as well.  According to The 3/50 Project, a national small business advocacy group, for every $100.00 that is spent at a small, local business, $68.00 will return to the community. (Info from "5 Benefits to Shopping on Small Business Saturday" FORBESWOMAN, November 11, 2011)
 
Several of our artist members at the boutique will be vending at this event, including:
 
Recycled Reads

Several of our consignment vendors will be there as well. 

Stay tuned to our Facebook page for your chance to win a pair of Early Birdie Passes. These passes are $15.00 each and are available for purchase online or at Wild Card in Lawrenceville. Each pass provides shoppers with the exclusive opportunity to shop one hour before the event opens to the public. Early Birdie shoppers will have first pick to purchase all the unique and one-of-a-kind items that crafters will be selling and be given a bag full of goodies and coupons. (Children 12 and under are admitted free with an adult.)
We hope to see you there!