Annual CraftFactory Market

Join us in the MF Lobby on Saturday, December 14th for our annual Holiday CraftFactory! Come explore hand-made objects and artwork from Pittsburgh makers. This year's CraftFactory coincides with our Member Appreciation Day - members will receive extra discounts in the shop, free gift wrapping, and other perks. There will also be a special live performance from the unconventional musical trio the South Side Sharps. The CraftFactory runs during museum hours, 10-5pm, and is sponsored by the MF Shop.

The CraftFactory is a great way to support local artists, as well as the MF. Get your last minute holiday shopping done, and see some amazing artwork during your visit. We hope to see you there!

Interested in vending at CraftFactory events? Contact us: shop [at] mattress [dot] org

Emily Anne Shop

Emily Walley is a multimedia artist and craftsperson with a background in sculpture and art metals. She creates installations and jewelry inspired by the urban landscape, taking cues from architectural spaces, maps, and city streets. Her wood and metal jewelry designs are printed with minimalist patterns evoking an urban vibe.

You can find her jewelry for sale in Pittsburgh at the MF Museum shop and Pageboy Boutique. Visit her on Dec. 7th at Handmade Arcade. 

Hey Beast Studio

Hey Beast Studio is run by Jeff Brunner, a Pittsburgh native and resident of Brighton Heights. His studio practice began in 2010 when he got tired of being art lazy and decided to make an alphabet book for his then new niece. That book, Armadillo to Zebu: an Alphabet Book for You and Me Too, was self-published in October 2012. Since releasing the book he's completed a yearlong illustration/mail art project called 365 Critters and is currently working on a second book.

Jeff's colorful illustrations tend to focus on animal and natural forms, though occasionally an abstraction or two will slip through.

Norah Blashford has been knitting since childhood. She grew up in northern England and immigrated to the US in her twenties and settled in Pittsburgh. Norah has enjoyed knitting many sweaters and hats for her eight grandchildren. Knitting has been therapeutic and keeps Norah's hands busy. The pleasing color combinations of each hat are approved and or suggested by Norah's husband of almost 60 years, Roy, who greets each new hat with rave reviews.

John the Craftist

John the Craftist - John is actually Thea, a true rustbelt gal who makes Pittsburgh greeting cards out of her century-old apartment in Aspinwall. She believes in the importance of handcraft, correspondence, regional culture, and -- perhaps most of all -- humor. Her cards are printed on paper manufactured by a sixth-generation, hydropowered Midwestern company, and she uses mostly vintage and distressed fonts based on wood type and mid-century modern aesthetics. When she isn’t printing and folding cards, she is most likely behind the counter at Wildcard, ordering a vegan pizza from Spak Brothers, or spoiling her Mom’s three rescue cats.

B's Healing 

B's Healing - "In 2010 after the birth of my kiddo, I began a quest to not have to read labels on diaper cream. We chose to cloth diaper and not only did I have to research every ingredient for possible toxicity AS WELL AS cloth diaper safety... well it made my head hurt. I wanted to make something that I knew was safe and effective and works with our body's natural ability to heal itself. Our skin eats what we wear. Let's feed it right!"


B's Healing is now making balms and deodorant, perfect for dry, itchy winter skin.

CAPA Unicorn Boutique - Featuring cards, jewelry, t-shirts and miscellaneous fantastic stuff designed and made by CAPA students and friends. CAPA is Pittsburgh's Creative and Performing Arts 6–12 school.

MakeWan

MakeWan - Electronic Component Jewelry from MakeWan. It explores the unique visual texture of electronic components. Shanning Wan has a web/graphic design background, and is interested in the intersection of traditional craftsmanship, media art and digital fabrication.

South Side Sharps
This unusual grouping will perform music ranging from Renaissance to Ragtime, and will feature some holiday tunes.

What do an artist, a robotics engineer and a music teacher have in common? They live on the same street in a South Side Slopes neighborhood. They share a love of music and the arts. They get together regularly to share a meal and play chamber music. Whether accompanying the liturgy at St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Shadyside or delighting their friends and neighbors with dulcet tones, the South Side Sharps are sure to entertain you.

• Maria Mangano, Clarinet

• David Rollinson, Euphonium

• Bruce Lazier, Trombone

Edit 12/11/13 - Trilodeon & Devorah Naturals are no longer able to vend at this CraftFactory Event.