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.
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.
Learn a Craft
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 includes painting, macrame, wood burning, embroidery and a self-care series where students make their own CBD-infused massage oils, tinctures and bath salts.
WildCraft Studio
WildCraft Studio offers craft, textiles, studio art, Native art and nature-based workshops for diverse, adult learners from their Southeast Portland studio, as well as off-site classrooms near the city on local farms, forests and beaches.
Past Lives
Established in 2020, Past Lives is a 26,000-square-foot (2,415.5 sq m) makerspace in the Central Eastside — beginner classes teach unique skills like framing artwork and forging a shoehorn, or sign up for the single-session “Forge a Date!” metalworking class, where you and a date will get a crash course in blacksmithing.
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.
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.
Crafty Wonderland
Portland’s biannual art and craft fair boasts unique handmade wares from 225+ local vendors.
Portland Saturday Market
Open every Saturday from March–December, Portland Saturday Market is the largest arts-and-crafts fair in the U.S.
Upcoming Maker Events
Explore the city's vibrant maker scene these upcoming events.
Spring Makers Market
Join Triskelee Farm for a fantastic day of creativity and fun. The Spring Makers Market is a must-visit event for all craft enthusiasts. Get ready to discover unique handmade treasures, support local artisans, and indulge in delicious treats. With a wide variety of vendors showcasing their talent, you'll find everything from stunning jewelry to beautifully…
First Thursday in the Pearl District
Starting in 1986, First Thursday in the Pearl is a district-wide celebration 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, including art enthusiasts, wine aficionados, and scenesters looking to see and be seen. Art galleries in…
Quilt, Craft & Sewing Festival
Come join the Festival in Portland – 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.
Portland Night Market
The Portland Night Market showcases many unique businesses that call Portland home. Blending food, culture, music, drinks and retail for an adventurous evening in the Central Eastside. Meet some of Portland's best makers and creators. With almost 200 hundred makers, the Night Market offers food carts, drinks, clothing, lifestyle goods, home goods, body care and art. The Portland…
Crafty Wonderland Spring Art + Craft Market
Meet the makers. Over 250 artists will be selling their goods at the Crafty Wonderland Spring Art + Craft Market. Crafty Wonderland is excited to be back in person for the Spring Art + Craft Market Pre-Show Ticketed Shopping Event on Friday General Admission – Timed Entry Tickets on Saturday
St. Johns Bizarre and Parade
The St. Johns Bizarre is a uniquely crafted celebration that kicks off Portland's summer street fair season. Held annually on the second Saturday in May, the Bizarre brings music, crafts, and food to the crowds who traditionally attended the St. Johns Parade. After the parade, a portion of the business district in St. Johns is…
Portland Flea + Food
The Portland Flea + Food is a gathering place for the creators, curators and collectors held the last weekend of the month from April to October in Portland, Oregon. Every market features 80+ local artists, makers, and curators of the best vintage, handmade and locally sourced goods in town. Saturdays at Ecotrust: 721 NW 9TH AVE Sundays at Nova…
Was this page helpful?