Awhile back I mentioned Portland Made, a collaboration between Supportland and ADX that Supportland's Katrina Scotto di Carlo described to me as an "ecosystem" for products manufactured in Portland. It finally launched yesterday. The official lowdown:

Portland Made is a collective of Portland-based designers, manufacturers, and local goods retailers. We connect consumers to high quality, locally made goods and designers to Portland-area contract manufacturers who can fabricate their products.

Portland Made’s aim is to promote grassroots job creation, by the people and for the people. By collecting and sharing knowledge and resources, we’ll build the local manufacturing base, create more local manufacturing jobs, and help export Portland Made goods to the world.

The public-facing website, www.portlandmade.com, features written and video profiles of Portland makers (designers who craft in wood, metal, leather, and other materials), the contract manufacturers who produce their designs, and the retailers who carry their goods. The site’s members-only portal allows participants in Portland’s manufacturing economy to network, collaborate, and discuss issues of design, production, and business development.

Sounds promising, and it will be interesting to see how well this is embraced, especially by maker members. I like the idea of a centralized online source for local products, but versions of the concept have been done before and the networking/resource tool for members seems like more of a concept that's currently missing. Regardless, I'm very intrigued—Supportland and ADX don't fuck around. If you are too, you're invited to the Portland Made official launch party scheduled for April 18 (7-10) at ADX, replete with introductory remarks by Mayor Charlie Hales and State Representative Jules Bailey, DJ Leftovers food from Salt, Fire & Time, beer by F.H. Steinbart Co., and Merit Badge on cocktail duty with—of course—liquor from local distillers.

Oh! And a video:

The mainstream popularity of moccasins that comes and goes is definitely in its "going" stage, but making your own pair is pretty baller, regardless of the trend forecast. Plus these are beautifully made—check out the crazy combination and real, durable sole at right especially:

• Halo Shoes

Halo Shoes—which in addition to being one of the better shoe sources in town has taken up a commendable interest in teaching the public about various forms of leather crafting—is hosting two weekend workshops next month where you can sign up to make a pair of your very own, which is a pretty amazing accomplishment for one weekend and a roomful of n00bs. Click over to MOD for the details on the unique opportunity.

I know, it makes the whole town wince every time that Portlandia joke is referenced, but it's IN, not ON, and it's kinda clever: Put A Bird In It is a group show organized by We Make, debuting as part of Design Week Portland (ahoy, more registrations for events go live today), in which "local, national, and international artsits, makers, designers, agencies and more" have created nearly 100 one-of-kind birdhouses (ha!) that are set to be auctioned off to benefit All Hands Raised and the First Octave grant program (read: arts and music education in Portland Public Schools. Contributors include ADX, Amy Ruppel, BT Livermore, Chris Haberman, Emily Katz, Eric Hillerns, Makelike, Nemo, Portland Garment Factory, Sockeye, Tanner Goods, Union Pine, Ziba, and so many more. The event goes down on Friday, October 12 (7:30-midnight) at Union Pine, and unlike many of the Design Week events the "registration" process consists merely of clicking "Join" on Facebook. Just remember: functional birdhouses and house cats do not mix.

• We Make

At this point I don't believe that festival season in Portland will ever actually come to an end, and that's okay with me. Design Week Portland is one of this year's new additions to the throng, premiering October 9 and running through the 13th. A joint effort between numerous design-oriented organizations, the not-quite-a-week-long schedule is brimming with presentations, tours, talks, and workshops that touch on virtually every department in the design world, and many of the events are free or very inexpensive (like $4) to attend (though space may be limited). Registration for most doesn't start until Tuesday, with more events opening up daily through the 22nd, but you can start planning your busy schedule now.

Even if you're not directly employed in the design world, you can still take advantage of the hands-on events and pick up new crafty skills. Em Space, for instance, is hosting the Print Make Share contest, in which individuals and teams can enter their original designs carved onto 18 x 24” linoleum blocks (basically giant stamps), prints of which will be auctioned off to benefit Em Space’s book arts workshop program. But even if you're like, "Linoleum what?" you can still get in. Em Space is also hosting the charmingly titled "Wino Cut," an evening of instruction and wine drinking on Sept 23 (5-8 pm) for free (though there's a $25 fee per team to join the competition). Get out there and learn something. With your hands!

I feel a little ashamed to admit it, but despite its close associations with other area institutions—most notably our incredible, progressive Museum of Contemporary Craft, whose gift shop is one of my favorite places to shop—I've never actually made the trek out to the Oregon College of Art and Craft mainly because it is on SW Barnes, and every time I have ever ventured anywhere off the grid in SW I become terribly lost, confused, and angry.

However, this weekend there will be a flurry of activity on campus, with their 19th Annual Tea Party happening on Friday from 2-4 pm, showcasing a project every third-year Metals Department student is tasked with: fashioning a functional tea pot out of flat metal. A display of all of this year's pots will be displayed at Steven Smith Teamaker June 1 through June 15, but the event will get you a first glimpse as well as first dibs on a new Steven Smith tea to mark the occasion (it is described as a "blend of herbs and flowers, including African rooibos, exotic spices, and Oregon-grown mint."

The action continues all weekend, too: Saturday and Sunday is also the spring art sale, with "functional, inventive, and sculptural ceramics, book arts and fibers pieces, as well as limited-edition original jewelry" from up-and-comers who are currently unknown, meaning original pieces you've likely never seen before can be snatched at low prices in the $10-50 range. Admission is free, and runs from 10 am-5 pm both days.

• Stephen Funk Photography