Makers in Bloom
Not your typical fundraiser — just a day spent celebrating handmade and the makers who bring our city to life!
2026 Makers in Bloom
Makers in Bloom: The Bus Tour
Saturday, May 9, 2026
A premium, limited-seat motorcoach experience featuring curated shop visits, behind-the-scenes studio demos, exclusive store discounts, and lunch along the route!
Bus tour participants also receive a Bloom Pass to track their stops throughout the day.
Bloom Pass: Self-Guided Option
Bloom Passes on sale May 10, after the tour!
Can’t join us on May 9? Grab a Bloom Pass — the flexible, affordable way to explore handmade at your own pace!
Includes all bus tour stops plus additional participating shops. Complete your curated passport, enjoy in-store offers, and receive a Handmade Arcade collectible when you visit every location.
Floral Illustrations by: Fío Avocado
You won’t want to miss this!
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 56-seater motorcoach for a full day of curated shop visits, maker demos, and a refreshment break — or go at your own pace with a self-guided Bloom Pass. Both options include a curated passport, in-store offers at each stop, and a Handmade Arcade collectible when you complete the route. Bus seats are limited, so grab yours soon for this exclusive experience!
How It Works
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Bus Tour: Hop on our 56-seat motorcoach for a curated day of shop visits, maker demos, a catered lunch, and studio tours. Seats are limited — this exclusive ride fills up fast!
Bloom Pass (Self-Guided): Explore at your own pace with a curated passport, all bus tour stops plus extra shops, in-store offers, and a Handmade Arcade collectible when you complete the route! -
Bus riders: arrive 15 minutes early at our parking location to receive your welcome bags and Bloom Pass.
Self-guided explorers: Once you receive your Bloom Pass via mail, hit the road and start shopping!
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Track your stops with your passport while you enjoy demos, shop perks, and maker surprises along the way.
Complete your passport by December 31, 2026 to score your HA collectible!
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While you may not be inclined to purchase something at all participating shops, every stop supports local makers and keeps Pittsburgh creative!
Be sure to snap photos along your journey, share your hauls, and tag @HandmadeArcade!
2026 Makers in Bloom Route
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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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Stop #2
Nisha transforms textile discards into stylish accessories — bow ties, lavallières, and more — keeping thousands of pounds of fabric out of landfills. Each piece is playful, sustainable, and made to be worn with pride!
While you’re visiting, chat with Nisha about custom orders or event rental options for special occasions and discover how creativity and sustainability come together in every design.
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Stop #3
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!
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Stop #4
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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Stop #5
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 any of their locations, alongside new discoveries from Pittsburgh’s thriving creative community. A perfect way to end our handmade tour — shop your favorites or uncover something new!
Don’t miss a stop!
Frequently Asked Questions
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Absolutely! We’re working closely with shop owners to make this event just as accessible as our markets.
The 56-passenger motorcoach is airconditioned and includes a restroom for convenience.
If you have a specific accessibility concern or need, including ASL interpretation, please reach out to us at info@handmadearcade.org. We’ll do our best to accommodate you!
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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 to receive their welcome bag and be on the bus for a prompt 10:30 AM departure.
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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.