About Craftcation Conference

When is the next Craftcation?

Craftcation 2019 takes place in Ventura, Ca March 27-31, 2019.

How do I register for Craftcation?

If you’re interested in joining us for a life-changing experience of making, meeting and learning at the beach, join our mailing list or our Facebook event page for updates.

What is Craftcation?

Craftcation is an annual four day business + makers conference featuring industry professionals leading attendees in hands-on craft workshops and lectures and panels on creative business. Craftcation ignites the entrepreneurial spirit, strengthens craft and business skills and builds relationships in the creative community. Previous events garnered extensive press in media including the Wall Street Journal, Sunset Magazine, the Los Angeles Times, National Public Radio, the San Francisco Chronicle, Bust Magazine, Forbes, NBC and the OC Weekly. Get a glimpse at previous conferences here.

What if I don’t have a business but just want to hang out and make stuff?

Not everyone who comes to Craftcation has a business. We have lots of attendees who come solely for the DIY workshops and fun. You can fill all four days with hands-on workshops where you’ll bust out more amazing creations that you can imagine. From embroidery to block printing to sewing to painting to weaving + crochet + knitting to leather crafts to art journaling to all sorts of techniques… we’ve got you covered!

What if I don’t currently have a business but have some ideas?

Figuring out where to focus your time and energy is easy when someone who’s been there before is guiding you. Craftcation will help you hone in on your perfect idea and create an action plan for your dream business.

What if I already have a business?

If you’re like us and you’ve been running your creative business for a while you have a whole different set of needs than beginners. You need the next-level mentorship that Craftcation provides so you can play a bigger game, balance your life, battle burnout, create alternative sources of income, be more productive and hone in on exactly what you need to do to make your brand even bigger and more profitable.

What if I’m an introvert and nervous to attend alone?

We know that traveling to and attending an event solo can be sort of scary but it doesn’t have to be! Put your anxieties aside and take a chance by joining us. Lots of attendees come alone and leave having made new friends that become part of their creative community. Time and time again we hear Craftcation attendees tell us how the Craftcation community is unlike that from any other conference because it is so welcoming. There are no cliques at Craftcation. When you walk through the doors, you’re part of the Craftcation family. If you need help connecting, we have your back and will introduce you to your next best friends. We asked Craftcation Alumni about their experiences and advice for attendees (especially those who come alone). Check out their thoughts: one, two, three, four, five, six and seven.

Where does Craftcation take place?

Craftcation takes place in the beach town of Ventura, California (about an hour north of Los Angeles). Most workshops and events are at the Ventura Beach Marriott. Craftcation also utilizes Ventura’s historic downtown buildings and businesses as well as the beach for special events like networking meet & greets, cocktail socials, a pop-up shop, opening celebration, yoga and food and art tours.

What kinds of workshops are offered at Craftcation?

View the 2018 schedule here. 2019 info will be released in late 2018. Click here to view past Craftcation workshops and schedules. What we offer varies from year to year but it’s always an awesome mix of hands-on craft and food workshops, creative business panels and lectures as well as community events like dinner, happy hour and our famous dance party!

How did Craftcation Start?

Nothing this great ever came from Los Angeles traffic…while sitting in bumper to bumper traffic on the 101 on a scouting trip for new Patchwork Show locations, Delilah Snell and Nicole Stevenson got talking, not just about Patchwork Show (the modern makers festival they co-produce), but about a need they saw in the independent business community.
“I’ve always wanted to inspire fellow business people to take that chance and just do it!” –Delilah Snell
“I’ve always wanted to take a little crafty vacation where I can get my craft on and share the things I’ve learned with others.” –Nicole Stevenson
And… Craftcation was born.

Who should attend Craftcation?

Have you ever thought to yourself…

• I have a great idea for a business but I don’t know how to start.
• I want to turn my passion into my full-time job.
• I have a successful business and I’m ready to take it to the next level but I’m not sure how.
• I want to connect with people in my field but I don’t have the time or opportunity to make it happen.
• I’d love to learn something new and better myself/my business at the same time.
• I want new ideas to make my business more successful and inspire me.
• I love making and want to expand my skills in art and crafts.

If you want to start, maintain or grow your creative business or take a break from your routine and learn something new while networking with fellow makers…then Craftcation Conference is for you!

Who produces Craftcation Conference?

Find out more about Craftcation Conference producers Delilah Snell and Nicole Stevenson here.

What do past attendees think of Craftcation?

“It was amazing and awesome and the BEST PLANNED event I have ever attended and I have been to quite a few. If they registration for next year now I would not eat the rest of the month so I could sign up. OK, maybe not to that extreme, but you get the picture.”

“We signed up for the conference with some uncertainty, not knowing if we should spend the money, if people would be friendly or social, what the quality of information would be like, but during the first lecture, we couldn’t help but laugh at ourselves for ever having had those thoughts. The efficiency with which everything was carried out, the amazing caliber of lecturers who conveyed their information so professionally, and were friendly and approachable, and the way that Delilah and Nicole made every attendee feel personally welcome and valuable … I have no words for. I eagerly await next year’s Craftcation. It bears repeating that it was PHENOMENAL!! Craftcation lost no momentum as the weekend progressed and I was inspired by the surroundings, people, and information … If you have the opportunity to attend Craftcation next year, don’t miss it!”

“Delilah and Nicole ignited a fire in many women who are eager to start or improve their crafty businesses. This event was impressively well organized and executed. It was incredible to be around like minded women. WOW! From the very first moment of being welcomed creativity flowed. Great business classes, sweet craft workshops, and simply meeting other like-minded people was refreshing and inspirational. There was much to be digested, absorbed, and celebrated.”

“I learned SOOOO much in just those few days. Honestly, there was so much to learn, so many amazing presenters, lots of like-minded people to share stories-lives-and passions with … It hardly seems possible that by some magic we all came together for four days.”

“Once again thank you, thank you, thank you for a fantastic conference. I’ve already applied much of what I have learned and cannot wait to see how far I go until it comes around next year!”

“Every single one of you creative folks reading this right now should seriously mark your calendar for next March. I know it sounds like a bossy order, but you can thank me in person at the event next year. Craftcation is honestly one of the most amazing gatherings I have ever attended.”