Search Makers
Portland is a bustling hub for artists, entrepreneurs and makers of all stripes.
The Rose City is a haven for makers, with a seemingly endless supply of community studios, warehouses and makerspaces that let you DIY your way around town. Whether you make it yourself or buy it from a local artist, finding a made-in-Portland souvenir should always be on your to-do list. Read on for our guide to the city’s maker scene, then check out our events calendar for upcoming maker events in Portland.
Know Before You Go
To slow the spread of the highly transmissible Delta variant, effective Aug. 27, a statewide mask mandate is in place. Oregonians and visitors ages 5 and up are required to wear face coverings in all public indoor settings, as well as crowded outdoor public spaces where physical distancing is not possible, regardless of vaccination status. This rule does not apply to individuals actively eating or drinking.
Additionally, some event organizers and venues may require proof of vaccination, or a negative COVID test, for admission. Other events may be canceled, postponed or held virtually. Please check individual event websites for the most up-to-date information.
Local Makers
The Rose City's maker community crafts an endless array of unique, handcrafted goods.
Makerspaces to Visit
Behind the doors of warehouses and studios across the city, highly skilled locals craft everything from candles to clothing to custom furniture. The best part? These makers not only create and sell their goods but also offer workshops and tours. Discover your inner DIY-er and see the creative process up close at the city’s most celebrated makerspaces.
Maker Events
Visit with local artists and find inspiration for your own next project at these events.
Portland Open Studios
For two weekends every October, Portland Open Studios invites visitors to explore the houses and offices of artists across the city.
Design Week Portland
This annual springtime festival showcases Portland's creative community, with a week full of lectures, design events and open houses.
Portland Saturday Market
Open every Saturday from March–December, Portland Saturday Market is the largest arts-and-crafts fair in the U.S.
Classes & Workshops
Modern Domestic
Settle in at one of the premium sewing machines at Northeast Alberta sewing studio Modern Domestic and take part in classes of all levels for crafting apparel, quilts, bags and accessories. This sewing studio is also a retail store, so if you run out of buttons or batting mid-project, they’ve got you covered.
Bridgetown Forge
“My biggest joy is hand forging,” says Arnon Kartmazov, founder of North Portland’s Bridgetown Forge. Trained in Israel and Japan, the blacksmith shares his joy — and his exemplary skills — by teaching classes such as basic smithing, tool making and knife making. Beginners welcome.
Independent Publishing Resource Center (IPRC)
Offering classes on letterpress printing, bookbinding, screen printing and graphic design, the Independent Publishing Resource Center is geared to lovers of books and creative expression. A mix of workshops, kids’ classes and free events like Open Collage Night make this Southeast Portland resource center a progressive space for literary crafters of all stripes.
Klum House
Klum House is a one-stop bag making shop and school offering bag making kits, patterns, tools, supplies, and workshops to help makers like you create heavy-duty bags on a home sewing machine.
Make & Mary
Make & Mary provides arts and crafts classes for the “highly inspired.” Their calendar of cannabis-themed workshops includes painting, macrame, wood burning, embroidery and a self-care series where students make their own CBD-infused massage oils, tinctures and bath salts. BYOW (weed) is strongly encouraged.
PDX Hackerspace
In North Portland’s Kenton neighborhood PDX Hackerspace is open to the general public every Thursday evening and offers a variety of classes and events, including security and lock-picking workshops and hackathons.
Learn a Craft
Tours
Spooltown
Get behind the scenes at sewing factory Spooltown, the production force behind handbags and accessories for brands big and small. Book a tour for up to 25 people at info@spooltown.com to check out this Central Eastside makerspace, their robotic cutting table and their team at work cutting leather, skiving (slicing fabric) and sewing.
Grovemade
Crafting wood and leather accessories for home, office and lifestyle (think planters, laptop stands and minimalist wallets), Grovemade does everything from product conception, design and manufacturing to photography and marketing at their Southeast Portland headquarters. See their production process, milling machines, industrial lasers and woodshop; tours for up to seven people can be booked at hello@grovemade.com.
PSAA
Portland Street Art Alliance offers interpretative tours of Portland street art, via biking, walking, or driving tours. This volunteer-run organization sends expert tour guide leaders who have experience in community art making, public policy, urban and public space studies. Learn about the history of Portland street art while exploring all of the neighborhoods.
Upcoming Maker Events
Explore the city's vibrant maker scene at one of these upcoming events.
Northwest Quilting Expo
Portland’s original sewing and quilting festival returns every fall, providing attendees with creative inspiration and all the tools and classes to expand your quilting skills. There are hundreds of juried quilts to see, and thousands of dollars in award prizes.
GeekCraft Expo
GeekCraft Expo is a curated craft market specializing in handmade, “geek”-themed crafts of all kinds; clothing, accessories, toys, home decoration, furniture, art . . . if it’s geeky and made by hand, it can be found at a GeekCraft Expo. Cosplay is highly encouraged and admission is free (you just need to pre-register).
Portland Flea + Food
The Portland Flea + Food is a monthly market held on the last Sunday of the month in Portland, Oregon. Every market features 80+ local artists, makers, and curators of the best vintage, handmade and locally-sourced goods in town.
Last Thursday Art Walk on Alberta
This boisterous street fair attracts independent artists, performers, local bands, troupes of acrobats, buskers, makers and more to celebrate their art on Northeast Alberta Street. Held year-round, the event is biggest from June through August, when the street is closed to traffic during the festivities from 15th Avenue to 30th Avenue.
Come Thru: Black & Indigenous Market
Come Thru Market is an incubator market centering on Black and Indigenous Farmers and Makers. The market supports BIPOC growers in taking their small business dreams to the farmers market environment.
First Thursday in the Pearl District
Started in 1986, First Thursday in the Pearl is a district-wide celebration that occurs on the first Thursday of each month. Originally a gathering of art collectors and dealers, the celebration has grown to a monthly event of over ten thousand people that includes art enthusiasts, wine aficionados, and scenesters looking to see and be…
Portland Indigenous Marketplace
Portland Indigenous Marketplace supports indigenous artists and entrepreneurs by providing barrier-free, culturally respectful spaces that encourage cultural resilience and economic sustainability by promoting public education through cultural arts.
Quilt, Craft & Sewing Festival
At the Quilt, Craft & Sewing Festival, you will find a wide variety of sewing, quilting, needle-art and craft supply exhibits from many quality companies, along with make ‘n’ takes, free demos, daily door prize drawings and more.
Crafty Wonderland Holiday Art + Craft Market
Portland’s biannual art and craft fair boasts unique handmade wares from 225+ local vendors.
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