creativity in community

Handiwork is an evolving project. Our mission is to create space for people to explore their crafty interests in low pressure, accessible situations. 

We started out as a community creativity hub in Portland, Maine. Our brick and mortar location, which was also a nifty little shop full of beautiful and useful things made by Mainers, has closed, but we might pop up in other locations from time to time. . .

We strive to provide a safe and welcoming space for all. We know that we'll make mistakes, but we'll keep doing our best to make Handiwork events places where everyone is comfortable. Anyone using speech or behavior that makes others feel unwelcome or unsafe will be asked to leave. 


Our guiding principles

  • We believe that the word "creativity" encompasses a wide range of activities and that everyone has a creative spark within.
  • We believe that tapping into creativity is self kindness. Making something with our hands is good for our hearts and minds.
  • We believe that spending time around other people who are making things is good for us, too.
  • We believe that experimentation is important, and a little bit of struggle and problem solving is a necessary part of the creative process.
  • We believe that having access to someone with experience and expertise can decrease the chances we’ll get frustrated and give up. 
  • We recognize that existing systems of power grant privilege and access unequally, and we work to create a space that welcomes and encourages everyone to tap into their creative energies. We hold ourselves accountable for doing the work to dismantle white supremacy and other forms of privilege that we hold.
  • We recognize that we will make mistakes. We commit to learning from our mistakes. We will keep trying.

Our mission supports our core values:

  • Anti-racism
  • Accessibility
  • Creativity for its own sake
  • Lifelong learning and exploration
  • Environmental sustainability

We acknowledge that we live, work, and play on the ancestral and unceded traditional territories of the Aucocisco and Abenaki Peoples and the Wabanaki Confederacy. The Indigenous peoples of this land never surrendered lands or resources to the United States.

We acknowledge this not only in thanks to the Indigenous communities who have held relationship with this land for generations but also in recognition of the historical and ongoing legacy of colonialism. Additionally, we acknowledge this as a point of reflection for us all as we work towards dismantling colonial practices, and we thank Native Movement for showing us how to start.

In order to live into the work, we donated a portion of our retail sales to organizations fighting for civil rights and human dignity, both at home and away. Over the course of our five year tenancy in Deering Center, we raised more than $12,000 for Equality Maine, Sister Song, Wayside Food Programs, Wabanaki REACH, and Wabanaki Public Health and Wellness. 

Additionally, sales of Charlie Hewitt's Hopeful stickers raised more than $5,000 for the Preble Street Teen Center.

We miss you, Deering Center! Keep on creating!