Handmade Arcade’s Bus Tour Fundraiser!
Photo courtesy of: Kitoko Chargois
Saturday, May 9, 2026 | 10:30 AM - 5 PM
Departing from: 7800 Susquehanna St.
All-inclusive ticket — Spend the day with Handmade Arcade supporting local makers! Enjoy behind-the-scenes studio tours, exclusive discounts at each stop, and lunch at Wigle Whiskey, plus fun extras along the way.
100% of ticket proceeds support Handmade Arcade programming, helping us continue uplifting Pittsburgh makers!
Click here to learn more about the maker programs your ticket supports!
2026 Makers in Bloom Route
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![Jocelyn & Rob of Clark Morelia]()
Stop #1
Jocelyn and Rob handcraft high-quality leather wallets and bags one at a time in their Pittsburgh studio.
Each piece combines full-grain leather, often rejected by large fashion manufacturers for its natural imperfections, with solid brass hardware and durable thread. Their products tell a story about how we interact with the world, blending thoughtful functionality with distinctive character.
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![love, Pittsburgh Logo]()
Stop #2
love, Pittsburgh
Founded in 2017 by Kelly Sanders and Monica Grunick, love, Pittsburgh has grown from a single store showcasing 40 makers to three locations featuring 100+ local artists.You’ll find the familiar products of many Handmade Arcade makers in their stores, alongside new discoveries from Pittsburgh’s thriving creative community. A perfect way to end our handmade tour — shop your favorites or uncover something new!
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Stop #3
Wigle Whiskey
Founded in 2008, Wigle Whiskey is Pittsburgh’s first craft distillery since Prohibition and a leader in the city’s modern spirits movement. Known for its grain-to-glass approach, Wigle partners with regional farmers to create small-batch whiskeys rooted in Western Pennsylvania’s agricultural heritage.We’ll enjoy a lunch together inside the distillery, surrounded by the barrels and stills that shape their spirits. It’s a relaxed mid-day stop to refuel and experience one of Pittsburgh’s most celebrated craft producers firsthand.
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![Val of TB Fragrances]()
Stop #4
TB Fragrances
Val handcrafts fine fragrances, candles, and incense in her Pittsburgh studio, blending unconventional notes like smoke, spice, stems, and salt into unforgettable scents. Each piece is made from scratch with clean, non-toxic ingredients and high-quality oils.Every vessel is hand-cast, sculpted, and finished with raw natural stone, turning candles and incense into functional art designed to live beautifully in your home.
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![Nisha of Knotzland]()
Stop #5
Visit Nisha Blackwell, HA board member and CEO of Knotzland, where she and her team transform textile discards into stylish accessories — bow ties, lavallières, and more — giving thousands of pounds of fabric a second life. Each piece is playful, sustainable, and made to be worn with pride!
While you’re visiting, chat with Nisha about custom orders special occasion rental options and discover how creativity and sustainability come together in every design.
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![7800 Susquehanna building]()
Stop #6
7800 Susquehanna
One of Pittsburgh’s most vibrant creative hubs, this stop includes lunch, demos, and studio visits with:
Han Studio: Heirloom-quality furniture and home goods rooted in family tradition and historic carpentry.Jowdy Studio: High-fired porcelain wares blending function and fine art, finished in signature matte glazes inspired by lived landscapes.
We’re also excited to highlight fellow nonprofit Radiant Hall while in their space!
Join the Tour — $150 All-Inclusive
Studio tours, exclusive discounts, lunch at Wigle Whiskey, and extras included!
This ticket is a fundraiser supporting Handmade Arcade and Pittsburgh’s local makers.
About Makers in Bloom
We wanted a fundraiser that feels like us. No fancy galas or esteemed auctions, just a day celebrating the makers and creative community that make Pittsburgh special. Through our markets, Handmade Arcade has connected over 3,000 makers with more than 250,000 shoppers — but that’s all been on our turf. We thought, why not flip the script and bring shoppers to our makers?
Makers in Bloom is our answer: a fun, city-wide way to explore local shops, studios, and creative spaces while supporting the artists who make Pittsburgh handmade.
Hop on our deluxe motorcoach for a full day of curated shop visits, behind-the-scenes demos, exclusive in-store offers, a catered lunch, and special take-home goodies — or go at your own pace with a self-guided Bloom Pass. Both options include a curated passport and a Handmade Arcade collectible when you complete the route. Bus seats are limited, so grab yours soon for this all-inclusive, one-of-a-kind experience!
Can’t join us May 9th? Grab a $10 Bloom Pass!
Bloom Passes coming in May!
The Bloom Pass is your curated, self-guided version of the Makers in Bloom Bus Tour. For just $10, you’ll get a passport to enjoy discounts at all tour stops plus 10 additional participating shops across Pittsburgh’s creative community.
Simply visit each location to mark it off your passport—no purchase necessary—and complete 8 out of 10 stops to earn a Handmade Arcade collectible.
Thanks to our Sponsors:
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We are working closely with participating stops to make sure this event is just as accessible as our markets! Event attendees will have the option to communicate what accommodations they require to participate in this event. Available accommodations include:
ADA accessible motorcoach (must be requested ASAP due to logistics with the motorcoach company)
ASL interpreter services (must be requested at least two weeks in advance of the event)
Service animals are welcome on the Makers in Bloom bus.
The motorcoach for the tour is air conditioned for convenience and comfort.
If you have a specific accessibility concern or need, please reach out to us at info@handmadearcade.org.
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We know $150 is a premium ticket for our audience, so we want to be fully transparent about what goes into it. Your ticket covers a seat on the deluxe motorcoach, catered lunch along the route, a Bloom Pass, and a gift bag of handmade goodies. You’ll also enjoy behind-the-scenes studio demos, curated shop visits, and special discounts at each stop.
It’s a full-day, all-inclusive experience that connects you directly with the creative community, giving you a behind-the-scenes look at Pittsburgh’s makers while supporting their work
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Bus tour participants enjoy:
a curated day of maker-owned shop visits and discounts at each location
behind-the-scenes studio demos
a catered lunch
a Bloom Pass to track your stops*
*Please note: due to time constraints, the bus tour will visit five of the passport stops. Participants who wish to complete the full passport and receive the collectible will need to visit the remaining stops independently.
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Think of it as a craft passport!
The Bloom Pass is a self-guided, flexible way to explore small businesses around the city. It includes all bus tour stops plus additional participating shops, each providing in-store offers. Receive a Handmade Arcade collectible when you visit all stops in the passport! -
Self-guided participants will be mailed their Bloom Pass directly!
Bus participants should arrive 15 minutes early at the designated pickup location (7800 Susquehanna) to receive their welcome bag and be on the bus for a prompt 10:30 AM departure. An email reminder will full event details will be sent to all ticketholders prior to the event.
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To ensure a smooth experience and transportation logistics, bus tour tickets are for the full-day curated route.
If you’d like to explore at your own pace, the Bloom Pass is the flexible option!
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Yes! Children are welcome, but please note that the bus has limited seating, and all attendees require a ticket.
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Comfortable walking shoes, water, and a shopping budget!
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Tickets are assigned to a specific attendee, so please do not transfer without notifying us. The experience is personalized to ensure everyone can enjoy the stops safely and fully.
If you need to make an adjustment to your reservation, please contact us directly. -
Makers in Bloom tickets are nonrefundable unless attendees purchase a ticket before Handmade Arcade confirms the size of doorways, and the doorway dimensions are found to be incompatible with their mobility device or accommodation needs.