Vendor FAQs and other tidBits

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Craft Cville?

As mentioned in our About Us page, Craft Cville members are volunteers and we are a registered 501c Non Profit. Craft Cville is comprised of 8 independent craft business owners who live in the central Virginia area: Amy of Tempest and Spark, Lauren of Scrap Designs, Jacqui of I Wear Blue Tights, Megan and Rock of Sliced. cake bar, Rebecca of The Crafty Fox, Carolyn of Happy Little Rectangles and Amy of Amy Shawley Paquette (newest member). Visit the About Us page and click on members photos to be directed to their own personal sites.

Craft Cville supports the spirit of the maker community including all persons of color and and LGBT+, and we condemn racism and injustice.

How do I apply?

Follow us on social media or email us to sign up for our mailing list to receive notifications on upcoming shows and events. You will be able to follow the email link to apply or you can apply directly on this site under the corresponding application tab. All open applications will be posted on this website. If you visit our website and do not see open applications, that means we are full for upcoming events. Please do not email us to ask if you can be on a wait list after applications have closed. We receive A LOT of emails and appreciate the interest but once applications close, we would post on our website if we needed to reopen. We don’t take additional wait list vendors outside an open application period. We do not take applications by phone or solicit or accept event fees through social media messages. There are rotten scammers who have been targeting local makers by commenting or posting on social media and directing those interested to contact them to apply. Please report if you see this or have questions. We will only communicate about applications through our Craft Cville email and handle event fees through invoicing.

Where do the vendor fees go?

Members do not draw a salary. Period. All of the vendor fees collected are used to cover the costs of the events which can include promoting the event in various local media outlets, renting easily accessible event locations, sponsoring local musicians to play at select events, and donating to various charities and educational groups because we believe in giving back and collaborating. Our goal is to create vibrant, educational, and enriching community-oriented events that celebrate all forms of art and give artists and makers the support that they deserve.

What is a juried event?

A juried show or event is a carefully selected, high-quality, handmade only event.... to some extent. We do allow vintage, reuse, vinyl records etc. We merely want photographs and links to your social media to ensure your products are indeed handmade by you and that you aren't simply re-selling pyramid scheme merchandise or items from Ebay.

We also use this as a way to make sure each category is well represented and not too heavy in one area. We understand that your product is unique to you but if there are 20 soap vendors at a 30 vendor market, customers are going to be body-care fatigued by booth 10. We want to ensure if you are selected as a vendor, that we give you the best possible opportunity to showcase yourself. We appreciate all applications but don’t guarantee anyone a space (except those on our organizing team since we volunteer and do all the work to make the events happen). We do look to include new vendors at each event. Please be aware - 99.9% of our applicants are lovely and understand the jurying process but if you are not selected as a vendor and behave badly, please know you will not be considered for any future Craft Cville events. Keep in mind, we have spent years organizing these events and select vendors based on the quality of their work, having a diverse array of products, price range of goods, balance of types of products and knowing a bit about our typical attendees and what tends to do well. We want the markets to be as successful as possible for our vendors and will make our decisions with that goal in mind.

What is the cost to participate?

Typical markets are $55. Special and holiday markets, such as Galentine’s and Craftacular, have higher fees (typically $75-125) to cover venue rentals and costs.

As stated above, all vendor fees go towards the costs of holding the events. These items may include but are not limited to the space rental, advertising, supplies, insurance, music, municipal fees, port-o-potties, etc. No board member of Craft Cville receives any salary. We all volunteer our time to make these shows happen.

How many events are there yearly?

We’re coming back from COVID restrictions and will hold events at various times beginning with Galentine’s and continuing throughout the year. We typically will not hold summer events in July or August unless we can locate suitable indoor space. We will hold in-person events as we feel we can safely do so. Open applications will be listed on this website and posted in advance of applications opening on social media and through our email list.

Do I need to have a business license?

Since we are a nonprofit, you are covered under us as these events are hosted as a full community oriented event. While it doesn’t hurt to have one, you do not need a business license. We do advise you to carry your own insurance, though.

Do I need to pay sales taxes on what I sell?

Yes. It is your responsibility to handle and pay your own sales taxes.

Do I have to have a social media presence for my business/art?

It is highly suggested and encouraged, since this is a great way to connect to prospective customers and help promote upcoming events. If you do not have a social media presence, you will have to have a way to send us clear photographs of your work when you apply.

How important are good photos of my work in the jurying process?

Extremely. We are not stipulating that they have to be professional quality but we do need to be able to see the items your are selling clearly.

Also, ALL of what you intend to sell needs to be represented in the photos. Do not send us photos of only jewelry dishes, when you also intend on selling jewelry and body care as well. (This action will get your name placed on the list below)

What is the payment time line?

Each payment schedule can vary and will be detailed on the application. 99% of the time, payment is due within a few days of being accepted to the event. Failure to pay in a timely manner without other prior arrangements being made will result in your space being offered to someone on the wait-list.

What happens if I need to cancel?

The vendor fees are used to pay for the event costs like insurance, space rental, and for advertising. Once you commit, your fee goes to the above. We cannot ask for it back from the venue, advertisers, etc.

You need to notify us ASAP. Currently we require 7 days or more notice, if you need to cancel. This is so we can try and fill your space. If you cancel 7 or more days prior to the event, we will refund 90% of your vendor fee back.

Cancellations less than 7 days prior to the event, and we can still manage to fill your space, will receive 50% of your fee back. If we cannot fill your space, you will NOT be eligible for a refund. ** In the case of a serious emergency, we will work with you.**

*Rain does not count as an excuse*

*Do not give your booth away to another artist. EVER.

What happens in inclement weather?

Depends if we are indoors or out. Indoor markets are always rain or shine. Outdoor markets may have a backup date posted on the application. If Craft Cville has to cancel due to severe weather, we will look at possibilities for partial refunds or credit for future events.

What are some things I can do NOT to be accepted again?

We are a pretty laid-back group but also volunteer our time to make these events happen. Basic civility and “adulting” are a must. You will NOT be accepted again if you do things like take up more booth space than what you paid for or are allotted. Litter or leave a big mess for us to clean up at the end of the day. Aren’t honest about your products or do not disclose all that you are selling in your application (discussed above in FAQ-photos) . Do not follow directions about loading in/out and moving your car to designated parking areas. Give your booth away to another artist without clearing it with us in writing. Pack up and leave before a show ends (unless you already spoke to us about the situation). Are rude to us or others.

Remember we are an all-inclusive group. We are about holding each other up not tearing each other down.

———-IMPORTANT TIDBIT—————

When in doubt, please ask! We are happy to help and reasonable accommodations can be made but you just need to ask. We are all familiar with what happens when anyone assumes…..We also haven’t figured out how to read minds and we can’t magically solve problems. (Oh, how we wish we could!) So again, please ask us if you can’t find the answer in the information above.

Classes & Workshops

We take our health, the health of our vendors, and our patrons seriously. Until we can hold classes in a safe manner, we will be on hiatus.

Supply Swaps

We take our health, the health of our vendors, and our patrons seriously. Until we can hold supply swaps in a safe manner, we will be on hiatus.