Inventionland’s Crafty Cottage

Inventionland, the world's largest invention factory, is where ideas, innovations and new products come to life.  Created by George Davison, founder and CEO of Davison, it is a 61,000 square-foot wonderland located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  Inventionland turns out more than 150 new product prototypes every month.

Inventionland is an inspirational, one-of-a-kind factory where employees work in 16 unique themed sets that are specifically designed to spark imagination and foster creative thinking.  In the Crafty Cottage, Inventionland workers develop a variety of products that help crafts enthusiasts; they also work on the ideas for clothing, footwear, and most products that must be sewn. The exterior of the unit looks like a brightly colored fabric cottage,featuring items like craft scissors to indicate the type of projects going on within.

The Crimp Ease is one of the products to come out of Inventionland’s Crafty Cottage. The product answers the troubles of many crafting enthusiasts who enjoy making beaded bracelets and necklaces; beads must be crimped in most applications to finish off the jewelry item, and most of the available crimpers operate in the same way as a pair of pliers, which is tiring for the hands. Especially if the craft enthusiast wants to make several jewelry items, the hands get sore and strained over time. The Crimp Ease solves this problem by operating in an entirely different way. Instead of employing the hand strength of the user, the Crimp Ease operates in the same way as a stapler, resting on the table or other flat surface. The crafter simply pushes down with one hand and the bead is crimped. Another important aspect of this invention is that the product crimps beads of multiple different sizes, making it as useful, if not more so than the standard crimping tool. 

Another product that was created in the Crafty Cottage is the Luma Threader. The Luma Threader tackles the difficult task of threading a sewing machine needle. It is often difficult to see the needle well enough, especially considering the typically dark area under the machine where it is located. The Luma Threader illuminates the area, making it easy to see the thread and eye of the needle. A spring-loaded fork cradles the needle, and when the handle is pushed, the thread goes through the eye. The ergonomic handle is also designed with a slightly flattened edge to keep it from rolling.

The Quilt Class Bag is an example of a product that comes doubly from the Crafty Cottage; both because it is a product that helps craft enthusiasts as well as a product that is an apparel item. As quilting gains in popularity again, those interested in learning the old-fashioned art find it a hassle to carry the many tools and materials it takes to accomplish the goal. The Quilt Class Bag features a design which folds out flat so that everything is easily accessible. Numerous pockets and straps hold all sizes of tools and supplies, along with an included rotary mat and ruler. The bag also has an adjustable shoulder strap to make it easy to carry, and is compact while being surprisingly roomy inside.

Many new ideas come to life every month at Inventionland. The Davison team delivers a constant flow of innovative products and ideas to companies, and also offers individuals with ideas a variety of services to help them develop their idea.

“I find it extremely rewarding to be able to help the everyday ‘idea person’ bring their idea for a new product to life, and then hear their reaction after they actually see it in packaging and on the store shelf,” said Mr. Davison. “There’s nothing more exciting.”

A typical project is not licensed, sold in stores or profitable.  Up-front fees are required for all services.