Window Shop is Going Places! Window Shop: See • Scan • Support Local started as an experiment in 2020 when Makers Union PDX and Portland Made came together to showcase 75 local maker brands in three vacant window fronts in just two weeks. The idea was simple - support local small business owners and bring vitality to our streets by placing products in windows with QR codes so passerbys can “window shop” and purchase the items available in each window directly from the makers. The first three pop-ups were so well received, we kept on going. To date we’ve featured over 200 brands in seven windo ..read more

Support & Shop Local This Holiday! 2020 has been a year full of “un-s.” Unexpected, underwhelming, unfortunate, and our favorite word, unprecedented. Despite everything that has happened this year, one thing we can all learn from this is to live every moment to the fullest and be appreciative of the people around us. And what better way to show our appreciation — and create a memorable holiday while staying COVID-conscious — than through gift-giving!  Traditionally, the holiday season has been a large part of our local makers’ business and with the lack of markets this year, we hope t ..read more

Window Shop 2020: See • Scan • Support Local This Saturday, November 28th, many of our local makers’ work is going to be popping up in vacant window fronts throughout Portland!  As you know, many of our local makers cannot access markets to sell their goods due COVID-19. Thus, as a collaborative effort between Makers Union PDX and Portland Made, we set up a platform for makers to showcase a select few of their products in vacant window fronts. By simply scanning a QR code on the window, you can “window shop” and purchase the items available in each window directly on PDXwindowshop.com. Sh ..read more

Brooklyn Tweed supports local textile production by creating quality wool yarns and timeless patterns that appeal to knitters world wide, but are 100% designed, sourced and dyed within the United States Jared Flood, founder and creative director of Brooklyn Tweed, is “all about the color,” and is the mastermind behind the company’s signature color pallet, which is, as he describes it, “big, beautiful, and covers all bases.” Additionally, the proprietary color recipe for their tweed or “heathered” yarns are designed so that they pair well with other yarns in their catalog. When visiting Flood ..read more

The holiday season is just around the corner. Where will you find local, handmade gifts this year? With leaves starting to fall and pumpkins cropping up everywhere, autumn is undeniably here, and with this seasonal transition we are reminded of the holidays fast approaching. Portlanders want to support local small businesses, and our makers need the business, but as the pandemic continues to drive local events to cancel, how will makers and their fans connect? We reached out to local market organizers to find out what they have planned this year, in light of the pandemic. We found that though ..read more

Anne Johnson, founder of Mamancy Tea, launched her business in a kiosk at Washington Square Mall in December 2018, to gauge interest in her product and to better understand the needs of customers. Just one year later, she decided to test out the local market scene, and applied to our Gifted Holiday Market. Her year at the kiosk prepped her well for the crush of market-goers, and she handled her first market with poise and a warm smile the entire evening. Watch her interview at the market in the KATU’s coverage of the event here. You can now visit her at her first brick and mortar shop which ..read more

Portland Made members and the maker community at large have come together to donate over $10,000 worth of locally-made items and services for an auction this Friday, June 19th 2020, to raise money for the Soul District Business Association's Entrepreneur Training Programs, which empower Black youth to tell their own stories. The auction will be held on Portland Made’s Instagram account. First item goes live at 9:00am and last bid is accepted at 10:00pm. More information below on logistics, but first — let’s see what’s being auctioned off! The biggest prize pack in the auction wa ..read more

Portland Made prides itself on our ability to bring makers together, fostering a community of doers and thinkers who might otherwise find themselves without ample opportunities to connect with peers. Historically, we have focused our efforts on in-person gatherings, which serve as great chances for makers to set their tools down and meet people so that they can learn both from fellow makers and from special guests. Outside of meet ups and other pop-up events, Portland Made hosts behind-the-scenes tours and markets, connecting makers with consumers and maker-curious community members. Virtua ..read more

The Joinery, abundant with beautiful handcrafted furniture, was the perfect “Instagrammable” setting for the second marketing presentation in collaboration with Travel Portland (if you missed this one, there’s still one more left in the series next month!). This workshop, led by marketing and PR superstar, Hannah Kang of LemonadePDX, focused on giving makers the tools to take their Instagram presence to the next level. Everyone knows how impactful social media can be, but how do you make sure you’re getting the most out of your Instagram presence? Kang emphasized the importance of starting w ..read more

The November gloom was no match for the warm glow from MadeHere PDX as makers gathered to talk displays and product packaging. Panelists Yana Yakhnes (Only Child Chocolates), Charley Wheelock (Woodblock Chocolate), Brad Swift (Portland Bee Balm) and John Connor (MadeHere PDX co-owner) discussed the retail side of merchandising and shared their tried-and-true approaches to packaging.  When it comes down to it, your packaging does a whole lot more than carry and protect your product. Packaging is one of the first opportunities to present yourself to your customers. Maker Yana Yakhnes shar ..read more