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Best Places To Buy Local Art For Less Than $100 In Pittsburgh

I made it
(photo credit: imadeitmarket.com)

Pittsburgh is home to many artists and local, independently owned stores that feature local artwork, but you don't have to scour the city to find just the right piece at a price point that won't break your budget. These are the best places to shop for local, affordable art, jewelry and housewares made by Pittsburgh's own artists.

Biddle's Escape
401 Biddle Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15221
(412) 999-9009
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Tucked away on Biddle Avenue in Regent Square, Biddle's Escape is just a few blocks off of the traffic and hustle of South Braddock Avenue, but it has the feel of a quaint, small-town coffee shop. You won't just find perfectly frothed cappucinos and spicy chai teas here. This cafe is decorated exclusively with art and jewelry by local artists — and it's all for sale. Biddle's Escape bills itself as an art gallery that offers Pittsburghers access to affordable art and jewelry, and artists an opportunity to get their art out to the masses. Get a coffee and a pastry, and get ready to browse the artwork. Make sure you make it to the back of the shop where you may buy fabulous beads for jewelry making or even have the local artist there make jewelry for you.

I Made It! Market
Bakery Square Boulevard
Pittsburgh, PA 15206
(412) 254-4464
imadeitmarket.com

I Made It! Market is a truly organic, local organization that supports pop-up shops, craft shows and art festivals throughout the city all year long. The organization organizes events and rents spaces to bring independent artists together to sell their artwork. Up next is the I Made It! for the Holidays event at Bakery Square Nov. 30 and Dec. 1. See I Made It! Market's events page on facebook for more details. This is a perfect opportunity to buy inexpensive and one-of-a-kind gifts for friends and family.

Art of Steel
2125 Penn Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
(412) 288-9945

Make this lovely store one of your must stops for holiday shopping. Right in the heart of the Strip District, Art of Steel offers an incredible assortment of art that will make shopping easy for even your most difficult-to-buy-for friends and family. From affordable art prints by local artists to hand-hewn wrought-iron lawn decor and the dizzying display of blown glass globes and ornaments that hang from the ceiling, there really is something for everyone in this store. Prepare for crowds, and give yourself plenty of time to browse in this large, packed shop. Don't miss the display room downstairs where you'll find functional artwork such as handmade decorative wine racks.

Related: Best Up and Coming Artists in Pittsburgh

The Shop in East Liberty
214 N. Highland Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15206
(412) 450-0258
theshopinel.com

A newcomer to the revitalized area that is its namesake, The Shop in East Liberty is a bright, sleek and modern shop that promises to offer its clients handpicked, locally sourced and affordable art. Purchase delicate, handmade wooden earrings and necklaces for less than $50. For your greeting cards this year, consider going to The Shop in EL for a small production, artist-illustrated card for around $5 instead of a mass-produced one.

Related: Best Places for Antiquing in Pittsburgh

Kiln-N-Time
3801 Penn Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15201
(412) 687-0383
kilnntime.mysite.com

Be the curator of your own art at this independently owned paint-your-own-pottery studio in Lawrenceville. For a small studio fee and the cost of the piece you paint, pick one (or more) of the hundreds of pieces of bisque in stock, choose your paint and get to work. From lamps and ornaments to soup bowls and coffee mugs, turn everyday items into pieces of artwork. Even if you don't have time to paint, stop by to check out some of the already-painted pieces on display, or take a bottle of wine and some snacks and make it a date.

Sally Turkovich Wright lives in her beloved city of Pittsburgh with her husband, Jason and German Shepherd, Zeus. She is a policy analyst by training, an eyewear stylist by trade and an amateur healthy-living advocate by choice. She also writes a column for Twoday Magazine. Catch up with her there at twodaymag.com. Her work can be found at Twodaymag.com.

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