On May 1-3, Hello Craft hosts its first ever Summit of Awesome in D.C.

Geared specifically for independent artists and crafters, the Summit of Awesome is three days of seminars and hands-on workshops, which will provide business and technical education for those in the handmade arts community. The Summit also includes the D.C. premiere showing of the indie craft documentary film "Handmade Nation." The highly anticipated documentary captures the superstars of the indie crafting world, and documents how the handmade community began and took its current shape.

The Summit of Awesome will take place in the independent shops, restaurants and bars of the MidCity area of D.C., along 14th and U streets NW, including Miss Pixie's Solly's, DC9, Bar Pilar and Gate 54 at Cafe St. Ex. The Friday night film screening of "Handmade Nation" will be hosted at the DCJCC's Theater J.

Special keynote speakers include Mary Thomas, CEO of Etsy.com, and Jenny Hart, founder of Sublime Stitching.

Here is a small sampling of the speakers and demonstrators who will provide hands-on workshops and business seminars during the Summit of Awesome:

Seminars:
• Crafting a Green Craft with Jamie Chan and Blas Herrera, Urban Fauna Studio
• Tax Implications of Starting a Business with Volunteer Lawyer for the Arts
• Developing a Product Line. Deciding what to make and sell with Ali Dryer
• Crafting a Green Craft with Urban Fauna Studio, Cosa Verde and Glue and Glitter
• Selling Successfully Online with Etsy Success & Virtual Labs and Cosa Verde
• Branding and Identity with El Jefe Design

Workshops:
• Fun with Duct Tape with Kristina Bilonick
• Simple Mold Making with Adam Maron, Pearson Maron
• Fiber Demo with Jamie Chan and Blas Herrera, Urban Fauna Studio
• How to Photograph your Work with Sherry, Dandelion Blu
• Sewing Demo with DC Threads
• Screen Printing Demo with Christy Petterson

Register at hellocraft.com.

(Image and press release courtesy of Hello Craft)