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Application Guidelines

We're still accepting SELECT applications for our 2024 Holiday HandMade Market.

Before diving into the online application process, please take the time to read carefully below – there are important changes since our last application.

Food Trucks

**Please note that if you are a food truck, this application does not apply to you. Our food trucks are selected through an invite-only process. If you are a food truck and you want to put yourself on our radar, please .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

2024 Dates and Deadlines

January 2, 2024 - Application goes live
January 16, 2024  Deadline to Apply
January 17-31, 2024  Curation (application Status Notifications begin to go out)
May 31 - June 1 and June 7-8, 2024 - Spring HandMade Market takes place at 13th Street Winery
November 29 - December 1, 2024 - Holiday HandMade Market takes place at Niagara Falls Convention Centre

Eligibility & Ethos

The HandMade Market accepts applications from Canadian-based makers, artisans, visual artists and small cottage industry businesses across all creative disciplines that meet our curation criteria and the general ethos of the HandMade Market. It is mandatory that all of our artisans are the creators and designers of their products.

We do not accept or curate applications that include any buy/sell items (ie. 'Made in China'). No exceptions.

We do not accept or curate applications containing products or work manufactured/produced outside of Canada; products or work imported for resale; products or work where the primary ingredients are manufactured/produced outside of Canada; any Fair trade products or works.

The HandMade Market is artisan focused and in order to ensure that each artisan has a captive audience, we maintain a strict cap on any one ‘type’ of artisan at each market. This cap minimizes sales dilution and provides a more diverse selection for our guests.

Curation Considerations

We get many questions from artisans wondering what they could “do better” to increase their chance of being curated into one of our markets. Curating is a complicated process and often it is not for one reason, but several, that we may decline your application and/or place you on a waiting list.

We hope the following information will help shed some light on our processes.

Product Relevance: This is where we consider how your product will be received by our HMM guests. Will they find it interesting? Does it meet a unique need? Is it satisfying a hankering for a current trend? How does your product align with today’s fashion sense or collective ethos?  Does your product connect with today’s marketplace?

The Right Fit: The HMM has a very distinct clientele. We’d have nothing without our fabulous and loyal guests spending their hard earned cash on your work. To make and keep our guests happy, we select artisans who have the most appeal specifically to them. If you are interested in discovering more about our HMM guests, talk to other artisans who have been to the HMM and/or come and visit an HMM and discover for yourself!

Display: Your display is your calling card. Does it stand out? Does it draw people in? Is it engaging? If you are simply laying items on a table, it’s time to rethink this aspect of your booth design. Those who design a space which is both professional looking and interesting have a better chance of being curated in.

Originality: Originality is important. If you are known to be purposefully copying the creative work of another artisan, the HMM is not for you.

Photography: Your photos must be high resolution. Do they tell a clear story of your product and your process? Details are important. We use these images for marketing purposes, so the better you look, the better we look. Professional shots are not mandatory, but they certainly help the cause.

Category Saturation: We can’t control the number of applications we get ‘per category’ and when we have high demand for a fixed number of spaces, the competition can be stiff in certain areas. At times, even the most qualified of artisans won’t be curated into the HMM because of category saturation. We really don’t relish turning down great talent, but at the same time, we feel privileged to be choosing from among the best.

Buy and Sell: We don’t accept artisans who are purchasing and selling through third party sourcing under any circumstances.

We do not accept or curate applications containing products or work manufactured/produced outside of Canada; products or work imported for resale; products or work who's primary ingredients are manufactured/produced outside of Canada; any Fair trade products or works.

Late Applications: Due to high demand, late applicants are not considered in the initial jury process. At our discretion, we may put you onto a waiting list in case a space becomes available within your category.

2024 Spring Market

SOLD OUT!

The 12th Edition of the Spring HandMade Market will be held OUTSIDE in the vineyards at 13th Street Winery in Niagara.

The spring market will once again operate as one event split across 2 consecutive weekends on May 31 - June 1 and June 7-8, 2024. You can apply to one or both of the weekends. There will be up to 135 artisans per weekend.

10'x10' Regular Space:  SOLD OUT
10'x20' Double Space:  SOLD OUT

IMPORTANT NOTES: Exhibition fee is for outdoor space rental only and does not include tent, table(s), chair(s) or other props. You are responsible to supply your own covered 10x10 tent and all props for this outdoor event. Electricity is not available/not provided. Shared spaces are not allowed. You are responsible for the safety and liability of your display and product. A limited number of corners will be available for an additional fee offered on a lottery basis approx. 4-6 weeks before event date. Free on-site field parking is available.

Makers retain 100% of their profits.


2024 Holiday Market

Our Holiday market is 99% sold out – we're looking for a select few incredible makers to round out our stellar roster!
**Please note that the baby/kids, bath/body, candles, ceramics, knits and jewellery categories are all full for 2024 and we are no longer accepting applications in these categories.

Our flagship annual event, the 14th Edition of the Holiday HandMade Market, will be held at the Niagara Falls Convention Centre on November 29 - December 1, 2024. Artisan load-in/setup will be November 28th and in the early morning of November 29th, depending on booth size.

Total space availability is +/- 220 booths.

**NOTE**: Although we are techincally sold out, we are still accepting and curating applications for our Holiday Market waitlist. Please put yourself on our radar as we do have cancellations from time to time.

5'x10': $460 + $95 electrical + HST 1 LEFT
5'x20':  SOLD OUT
10'x10': $575 + $95 electrical + HST 2 LEFT
10'x20':  SOLD OUT

Booth measurements are nominal and actual available exhibitor floor space is reduced by the physical dimensions of the pipe and drape (approx. 3" reduction on each of the 3 sides)

Exhibition fee includes space rental, single 15 amp electrical connection (for lights and charging only) and white 8ft pipe & drape on three sides.

Overhead venue lights will be dimmed by 67% (operating at 33% capacity) and you MUST light your booth – no exceptons. Electricity is not optional. You are responsible for supplying your own lights and all props, ordering any additional crossbars, etc.

Aisles will be carpeted. Shared booths are not allowed.

A limited number of corners will be available for an additional fee offered on a lottery basis approximately 6 weeks before event date.

On site parking available, but charged separately by venue.

Makers retain 100% of their profits.


How to Apply/What to Submit

Applications must be submitted online. The link to the application will be at the bottom of this page.

Before you click the 'apply' button, you'll want to prepare ahead by gathering up your images and text content.

Your product images *MUST* be high-resolution marketing-ready at a min. of 1250px wide / max. 2500px wide (height is irrelevant). Product photos will be used for marketing purposes, so use your absolute best product shots.

All completed applications meeting our criteria will be curated and notified of acceptance, decline or wait list status by email.

Acceptance Terms

If you are notified of acceptance, you will be required to submit payment to secure your space.

Payment in full is required for each of the Spring Markets. A deposit of 35% of your total booth fees (including electrical and HST) is required for the Holiday Market. You will also be required to submit a signed contract to be sent to you digitally.

If we don't receive your deposit payment within 72 hours of our emailed notification, your space will be returned to the pool and offered to another eligible participant. Due to high demand, we cannot hold spaces without payment.

E-transfer instructions will be provided inside the acceptance notification email.

Cancellation Policy

There will be no refunds or credits available for cancellations on your part for any reason within 90 days of a market event.

All other cancellations are subject to the following cancellation fees: 50% (Spring) and/or 35% (Holiday) of your total booth fees (including electrical and HST).

Maker Email Notification List

Are you on our Maker Email Notification List? If not, be sure to sign up and you'll get advance notice by email when we release our annual applications!

MAKER EMAIL LIST

READY TO APPLY?

**Please note that the baby/kids, bath/body, candles, ceramics, knits and jewellery categories are all full for 2024 and we are no longer accepting applications in these categories.

If after reading above you still have unanswered questions or concerns that need to be addressed before you apply, please .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

**IMPORTANT**: There is a 2 hour security time-out on the application, so, before you click below to start the application process, we highly recommend that you gather up all your text and images (using guidelines above) so that you will not face any time constraint issues. Being prepared will make the application process go much smoother for you. If the application times out before you complete it, you'll need to reload the page and start from scratch.

Ready? Click below to apply now!

We HIGHLY recommend NOT using Yahoo, Hotmail, Outlook or Rogers email addresses as your primary contact on the application. In the past, we have noticed issues with these types of email addresses receiving email from us.

IMPORTANT: Our receipt of your application does not guarantee or imply you have secured a spot regardless of whether or not you’ve been at the HandMade Market previously. We curate each event / each year individually.

CLICK HERE TO APPLY NOW