Artigianati.com

by Dave Zuchowski

If you would like to combine the holidays with a local history lesson, stop in the Hunt Armory on Saturday.

You'll be able to shop for merchandise at the Handemade Arcade, winner of the 2009 and 2007 Greater Pittsburgh Art Council's People's Choice Award as the city's Best Arts Event.

Plus, you'll get to bone up on local history. The Armory, on Emerson Street in Shadyside, was built in 1916 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The auditorium occupies an entire city block and has hosted everyone from President Dwight D. Eisenhower to Led Zeppelin.

On Saturday, some 90 independent crafters, many from the region, will join others from seven states and one from as far away as Mexico, to display their mainly one-of-a-kind creations from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Admission is free, and the first 100 shoppers through the door will receive a swag bag stuffed with craft items.