Emerging Craft Market

DATES:

August 28-29, 2026

HOURS:

Friday, August 28, 2026:

• 4 - 7 PM: Maker Load-In & Booth Set-Up

Saturday, August 29, 2026: 

• 9-10 AM Sensory-Friendly Shopping
• 10 AM- 6 PM: General Shopping
• 6- 8 PM: Maker Load-Out 

LOCATION:

Energy Innovation Center
(1435 Bedford Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15219)

EVENT SIZE:

Exhibitors: 80+

Expected Attendees: 3,500+ 

APPLICATION DATES & FEES:

Application Fee: $20

Application Deadline: April 9, 2026 at 11:59 PM (EST)

Notifications: Mid-May

Application fees are non-refundable and due online upon application submission. Late applications will not be considered.

BOOTH FEE:

$100

INCLUDED IN BOOTH FEE:

• Booth space rental
• 1 Table
• 1 Folding Chair
• Listing in the digital event program book
• Listing on the virtual event page on Handmade Arcade's website
• Maker Media Kit for market promotion

NOT INCLUDED IN BOOTH FEE: 

• Electricity
• Additional tables and chairs
• Booth lighting
• Additional booth furnishings (carpets, shelves, etc.)

ELIGIBLE ARTISTIC CATEGORIES: 

• Accessories
• Adult Clothing
• Artwork*
• Bath & Body
• Ceramics
• Children’s Products
• Glass
• Housewares
• Jewelry
• Paper Goods
• Toys
• Wood
• Other (surprise us!)

*Handmade Arcade was founded as an alternative to visual arts markets where makers creating handcrafted materials with materials like clay, wood, metal, fiber arts, ceramics, and paper could sell their work. Handmade Arcade does accept visual artists for some of our markets, but artists must be able to demonstrate in their applications how their work is reproduced onto prints, fabric, clothing, stickers, etc. and sell those items at our markets rather than just originals.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA:

• Applicants must be 18 years of age or older at the time of the Emerging Craft Market
• Applications must align with Handmade Arcade's definition of a "handmade business"
  • Artist(s) created the original products
  • No use of mass-produced, trademarked, or licensed items in work
  • No use of copyrighted designs artist(s) doesn't own in the work
  • No use of purchased, downloaded, or copied images or designs in work
• Applicant is a “handmade business” as defined by Handmade Arcade
• Applicant is a “new and emerging maker” as defined by Handmade Arcade which means:
  
  • Maker does not have a brick-and-mortar store
  • Maker's products are not yet available at brick-and-mortar retail location
  • Applicant is not a food or drink business
  • Applicant has never previously sold at a Handmade Arcade market with the exception of participants in the Youth Maker Program.
  • Jurors will prioritize makers under 5 years old. If your business is over five years old but you believe you still meet the criteria of a new or emerging maker, please share additional details in your application.

REQUIREMENTS: 

All accepted makers are required to: 

• Participate in the entirety of the event dates and hours listed above
• Provide crafters liability insurance
• Adhere to Handmade Arcade's Maker Terms & Conditions 

JURYING & ACCEPTANCE:

This is a juried market; however, Handmade Arcade reserves the right to curate the final accepted maker line-up in order to create a well-balanced show.