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I spent over a decade as a craft fair vendor, and

I spent over a decade as a craft fair vendor, and let me tell you, it’s a rollercoaster. I’ve had shows where I sold nothing, and others where I almost hit five figures. Some shows made me feel seen, while others treated vendors like space fillers.

But despite the lows (and the occasional breakdown under the table), craft fairs are where some of my biggest business moments happened. There’s something powerful about a bunch of creatives, each at different stages, sharing their work with the world, hoping it finds the right home.

That magic moment when someone picks up your art and says, “I get it”—that’s why I’ll always love craft fairs.

Huge shoutout to every @thepatchworkshow vendor—we see the heart and hustle you bring.

Want to join us? Applications are open!

🌳 Chino Hills 10.27 & 12.1
☀️ Ventura 11.3
🌲 Redwood City 11.10
🌉 Oakland 11.16
🏖 Long Beach 11.24
🌆 Tustin 12.8
🏢 Sacramento 12.15

Apply early, spots fill fast!

##westcoastmakers #westcoastcrafty #creativeprenuer #craftbusinessowner #calledtobecreative

When you’re wearing ALL the hats in your creativ

When you’re wearing ALL the hats in your creative business, finding the right support is essential. We don’t always have access to one-on-one business coaches, mastermind groups, or seasoned creative entrepreneurs to lean on when things get tough. But at Craftcation, you’ll find all of that and so much more!

🌊🏖️ Join us for Craftcation 2025 (April 23-27) in beautiful Ventura, CA!

🎟️ Key info: • Early bird registration is live—limited tickets!
• We’ve sold out 12 years in a row. 🏅
• Payment plans available to make it easier to say YES! 💸🗓️

Spend 5 inspiring days with us, diving into 200+ craft workshops, business sessions, and wellness activities—all with the beach as your backdrop. This is where creative dreams turn into action and where you’ll find the kind of support that lifts you up!

Secure your spot via the link in our bio 🔗. I can’t wait to welcome you home to Craftcation!

🤗 Have questions? Slide into my DMs!

#makersofinstagram #craftersofinstagram #craftcation #makersgonnamake #smallbusinessowner #smallbusinesssupport #craftbusinessowner #smallbizowner

There’s something powerful about being with peop

There’s something powerful about being with people who understand the challenge of making a living with your creativity. That’s why Craftcation exists—so you can find your people and explore in a space that truly gets you.

When an attendee tells me how Craftcation changed their life or how they found their creative community, those are the moments that keep us motivated all year.

As multi-year alum @marshmueller said: “Craftcation has this effect… when you walk through the door, it’s almost like a magical transformation.”

Register via our bio 🖇️.

What to expect at Craftcation 2025:
✨ Five life-changing days at the beach.
🎨💻 Over 200 craft and business classes.
😍 Social gatherings to connect and build community.

Ready to find your people? Early bird registration is open, and we’ve sold out every year!

Plus, we have a PAYMENT PLAN with flexible timing, and you can share your link for family or friends to contribute (perfect for holidays or birthdays!).

Questions? DM me!

#westcoastmakers #westcoastcrafty #creativeprenuer #craftbusinessowner #calledtobecreative #events #supportlocalartists #craftingcommunity #supporthandmade #giftideas #smallbusinesssupport #craftcation #makersofinstagram #craftersofinstagram

Save the dates! Our first @thepatchworkshow show o

Save the dates! Our first @thepatchworkshow show of the season is coming up!

Here’s our fall season!

🌳 Chino Hills @theshoppesatchinohills 10.27 & 12.1
☀️ Ventura @downtownventura 11.3
🌲 Redwood City @cityofredwoodcity 11.10
🌉 Oakland @jacklondonsq 11.16
🏖 Long Beach @marinestadium 11.24
🌆 Tustin @oldtowntustin 12.8
🏢 Sacramento @oldsac 12.15

MAKERS: APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN NOW!
NEW THIS SEASON: Rolling applications! This means you’ll know ASAP (within about a week if you’re accepted or not). We’ll fill the spaces as applications come in, so the sooner you apply, the better chance you have of getting in.

#westcoastmakers #westcoastcrafty #creativeprenuer #craftbusinessowner #calledtobecreative #events #supportlocalartists #craftingcommunity #supporthandmade #giftideas #mysecretla
#allthingsorangecounty #thingstodooc #californiadreamin #socalevents #dogfriendly
#explorela #bayarea #norcal

Running a creative business means wearing all the

Running a creative business means wearing all the hats, and let’s be real—it’s exhausting. Not everyone has the luxury of a personal business coach or a mastermind group on speed dial to share wins, brainstorm ideas, or vent when things fall apart. We don’t all have easy access to experienced creative business owners who’ve already navigated the path we’re trying to follow.

But you know who does get all of that (and more)?

Members of Dear Handmade Life: The Club.

Inside The Club, you’ll get:
💻Expert-led business classes
🥅Mentorship-focused group coaching
👯‍♀️Unlimited support via our members group & your accountability group
ALL of that & more for just over $1 a day!

Membership only opens a few times a year (we’re opening again ONE more time this year). Join the waiting list via our bio link or DM me MENTOR and I’ll send you info.

#smallbusinesssupport #smallbusiness #smallcraftbusiness #smallartistsupport #smallartbusiness #mentorstip #creativebusiness

There are a lot of topics we don’t talk about en

There are a lot of topics we don’t talk about enough as creatives... mental health, balance, finance, the woo-woo side of business, and more. At Craftcation, we don’t just help you with practical business skills—we tackle the things that are holding you back and keeping you stuck through personal growth workshops and by welcoming you into our community of creative weirdos.

If you’re ready to find the people who get you, don’t miss out! We’ve sold out every year since we started 12 years ago.

What can you expect at Craftcation 2025?
✨ Five life-changing days at the beach in California.
🎨💻 Over 200 craft and business classes taught by industry experts.
😍 Social gatherings to connect, learn, and foster community.

Discounted early bird registration is open now, and tickets are limited. Register via our bio 🖇️.

We also have a PAYMENT PLAN where you choose the amount and timing of your payments! You’ll have until February 1, 2025, to complete your payments, and you can even share a link with family, friends, or your community to contribute to your ticket (perfect for holidays or birthdays!).

Have questions? Send me a DM!

#venturacalifornia #craftcation #smallcraftbusiness #smallbusinesssupport #craftersofinstagram #makersofinstagram #mindfulcrafting

© DEAR HANDMADE LIFE 2020. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS SITE USES AFFILIATE LINKS. WE DISCLOSE ALL SPONSORED POSTS BY NAMING THE SPONSOR IN THE POST.

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