Craft-A-Thon

What is it?

No Coast Craft-a-Thon is a competitive event that pits up to four teams of crafters against each other in a battle to “upcycle” materials into the baddest, raddest handcrafted item they can dream up and pull together in 45 minutes. Crafting is now a spectator sport!

Each team will receive a set of broken-in materials (Smurf bed sheets?  Mismatched melamine plates?  Vintage acrylic yarns from Aunt Madge’s stash?  Who knows what wonders await!) and some supplies (such as a sewing machine, needles and thread, glue gun, etc.) with which to create their fantastic upcycled product.  Each team will receive a similar set of materials and supplies to work with, although each material set will be somewhat unique due to the nature of thrifted/used materials.  The material set’s contents will remain a mystery until the teams step onstage.

Once the teams tear into their material sets, the games begin!  There are no guidelines on what teams create.  The world’s most fabulous tote?  A tailored jumpsuit?  A life-size soft-sculpture bust of Elvis?  Show off your craft chops!

After 45 minutes of hard-core competitive craft action, each team will present their upcycled craft to the panel of judges (and legions of adoring fans). Judges will grade the products on originality, functionality, craftsmanship and best use of materials.

What’s at stake?

Fame and fortune!  The winning No Coast Craft-a-Thon team will take home an array of fabulous prizes from awesome sponsors like Janome, Craft Zine, Venus, Sublime Stitching, indie boutique Truly, Crafty Planet, and more, (as well as the pride of earning the coveted title of No Coast Craft-a-Thon Champions).   In addition, the winning upcycled craft will be displayed at Crafty Planet!

When is it?

No Coast Craft-a-Thon will take place at 2:00pm on December 6, 2008, during No Coast Craft-o-Rama.<

Where is it?

No Coast Craft-a-Thon will take place smack dab in the middle of the Midtown Global Market on the plaza stage.

How do I get involved?

All of the teams are picked for the 2008 contest, but check back in 2009 for your chance to enter.

Thank You, Sponsors!

A heartfelt shout-out to our amazing sponsors who go above and beyond to help support local crafting!

Janome - The generous donation of 4 Threadbanger sewing machines for use during the Craft-a-Thon.  Two of which will be awarded to the grand prize team!

Craft Zine - 4 Craft Zine tees

Venus Zine - 8 individual annual subscriptions to Venus Zine

Indie Craft Documentary - 4 Handmade Nation Gift Bags

Sublime Stitching - $175 worth of merchandise

Truly - $50 in merchandise donations

Crafty Planet - $100 in Crafty Planet Gift Certificates as well as supply donations for the contest

Kwik Sew - $100 worth of Kwik Sew gift certificate

No Coast Craft-o-Rama - All participants will receive a 2008 organic cotton No Coast Craft-o-Rama tee shirt designed by Lonny Unitus