How to Find Craft Shows to Apply To
New vendors often hear about shows by word of mouth and miss the ones that close applications months ahead. A short routine for finding shows and tracking deadlines keeps the calendar full without paying for a dozen disappointing events.
Start with a searchable calendar
A calendar that lists dates, locations, booth fees and application deadlines in one place saves hours of searching organizer sites one by one. Find A Market lists upcoming craft fairs, art shows, festivals, farmers markets and flea markets by state and city, and a separate page shows the ones still taking applications.
Look at who is already selling
Follow vendors you admire in your category and see where they set up. A show that appears on several vendors' lists year after year is usually doing something right. Ask them in a friendly way how the show treated them, not just how sales were.
Use local vendor groups the right way
Regional vendor groups on social media are useful for show reviews and last-minute openings. Read each group's rules before you post, answer other vendors' questions before you ask your own, and keep self-promotion to the places the rules allow.
Judge a show before you apply
- How long has it run, and does it publish dates for next year
- Is the fee in line with similar shows in your state
- Does the organizer limit vendors in your category
- Is attendance explained with real numbers, and are the photos from real past events
Track deadlines in one place
Put every application deadline and decision date into a calendar the day you find it. Many of the best shows close earlier than people expect, and a reminder a week ahead is often the difference between applying and missing out.
Keep reading
Keep track of the shows you want
Save listings, keep application deadlines in one place, and read what vendors who have worked a show say about it before you commit to a booth fee in your area.