CRAFT SHOW In Pittsburgh!!! I Made it! Original 2-11-2011

In Pittsburgh next weekend there will be several opportunities before Valentine's Day to but your loved ones some wonderful handmade items to show your unique love!

I Made it Market is a indie handcraft organization that works with local crafters in order to both help self business people as well as share handmade items with the public. February 11 and 12, 2011 are two opportunities to see artists from Pittsburgh and make special purchases as well as have fun!

I Made it! Original is February 11, 2011 from 11:30 am to 3:30 pm at the University of Pittsburgh several vendors who make different items like knitting, felting, soaps, scents, jewelry, metal art, paintings, and more will be displayed and sold. Crafters will have Valentine's Day items as well as Spring items! Come on over and look for birthday presents, Mother's Day presents, Easter presents, or just presents for yourself!!!

I Made it! has information on all crafters who will be there. Click on the link and go to the artists button for the February 11, 2011 show!

I will be there! If you mentions the blog I will give 10% off an egg purchase you make!

Making Your Mark - Signing Crafts

When a artist finishes a work of art, the final touch more often than not is to sign the work. Picasso, Van Gogh, and Rembrandt always signed their completed works. The same should be true today with any artist or crafter. A work is never completed until it is signed.

Signing a craft not only personalizes it for the person who purchases it, but it always allows for extended promoting after the craft is sold and with its new owner. Though today the business card takes on the job of speaking for the artist when he or she is not there to take credit for a work, the business card falls short of always staying with the object itself. A person may lose the card, place it somewhere else, or simply decide not to keep it. Signing the object itself always keeps the artist with the product.

Today, it is important to take pride in one's work. No matter how small or simple you believe your work to be. Taking pride in your work not only makes you more excited with your finished product, it also adds a special feel for the purchaser.

It is also important to date the item you created. You easily provide the purchaser a remembrance of when they purchased from you. If the item becomes a present it also helps to aid the recipient's memory of when they received the present.

All items should be signed. Even if you think your item cannot be signed without ruining it, take a good look at the item, most likely, there is a place perfect for your John Hancock.

How to Sign Difficult Items:

Knitting - Use an embroidered piece of fabric and sew into the inside or corner of the item. Even if it is something like a scarf, a sewn initials piece of fabric is not a nuisance for the purchaser.

Cards - You can either invest in a personal signature stamp or buy "handmade by" stamp for sale in several craft stores, then sign your name. People love to see that the card they bought or received was made by a real person, and was not picked out at Hallmark.

Ornaments or small figurines - Underneath the item, use a small pen to write you initials or shop name.

Miscellaneous items - Try to look at you item to find an area that would either been unseen or out would nor mar the overall look of the item. Use wither your initials, name, or shop name.

In the end, signing your work, is a most important step to take before deciding your item is complete. You provide addition promotion, remain connected with your work, and add importance to this handcrafted item.

People appreciate seeing signatures for the sheer fact that that signature is proof the item they bought was handmade by someone, and not a mass produced item. Instead, they own something completely unique and special.

When you finish your next creation, make sure to place your signature on it. Take pride in your work and attach the mark to pove what you made is one of a kind and special to whoever buys it.