Craftcation is Coming and Our Manifesto
Since the very beginning, Dear Handmade Life has always been about empowering and inspiring passionate creatives to craft awesome lives and businesses filled with purpose and intention. We believe in the makers, the dreamers, the doers and wanted to provide a place to showcase their talents. That’s when we started Patchwork Show: A Modern Makers Festival.
Then, in true form, we decided to take things up a notch and provide that same creative group of makers and doers with a community where they felt safe, accepted and surrounded by people that understood them. THAT is why we built Craftcation. It’s been almost nine years since we started this conference by the sea and we couldn’t be prouder with how it’s grown and flourished.
Let the countdown begin until we’re crafting, learning, high-fiving, networking and growing together again.
We are so excited to launch registration for Craftcation 2019 on October 5, 2018 at 9:00am PT.
*The first 50 people to register get $50 off our already discounted early bird pricing!*
Join us April 3-7, 2019
Ventura, CA
We can’t wait to welcome you into our community!
xo, katie mac
At Craftcation:
WE BELIEVE IN… purpose, authenticity, connection and creativity.
WE BELIEVE THAT PURPOSE AND PASSION ARE POSSIBLE – TOGETHER.
You can feel awesome about and inspired by the work you do whether you run your own business or not. IT IS NEVER TOO LATE to get started building the business and life you’ve dreamed of.
That dream that wakes you up in the middle of the night – the time to go after it is NOW!
WE BELIEVE IN THE MAGIC OF MAKING, WHETHER YOU’RE A LIFELONG CRAFTER OR SEARCHING TO FIND YOUR INNER ARTIST.
We offer a variety of craft workshops to introduce our attendees to an extensive list of new skills and techniques at every craft level. From beginners to experts, we offer a class for everyone.
Our business workshops have been likened to an “MBA for creatives in a weekend”. We cover everything from website content to bookkeeping and product development to social media to equip you to take your business to the next level.
WE PRIDE OURSELVES ON CULTIVATING A DIVERSE, INCLUSIVE AND ACCEPTING COMMUNITY THAT WORKS TOGETHER AND SUPPORTS EACH OTHER LONG AFTER THE CONFERENCE ENDS.
We provide an environment where attendees AND instructors come together daily to converse freely and casually. Our expert instructors graciously share their wisdom to help you achieve your goals faster and easier.
At Craftcation, you can be confident that you’ve found your people. We understand you and relate to your successes and pains. We’re not about clicks or followers or likes (although we know that stuff feels good!). We believe in a world where beauty is found in everyday, candid moments of life – no staging, no filters, no edits. We’re about genuine connections and unbreakable bonds. Virtual coffee dates and rendezvous between conferences.
We welcome you just as you are. No dress codes. No judgment.
WE BELIEVE THE MAGIC IS FOUND OUTSIDE OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE.
We know that coming to a conference (especially alone) can be intimidating. It can feel indulgent and risky to spend your time and money on yourself. But this investment for you – and your business – is worth it. Every single year, our attendees tell us they leave Craftcation feeling confident, inspired, and motivated to go after their goals.
For the past seven years (we’re coming up on 8 in 2019!), we’ve had countless attendees tell us that their only regret was taking so long to actually come! Once they arrive, they always wish they had come sooner!
Craftcation attendees have gone on to:
- get book deals
- become workshop teachers
- open brick and mortar shops
- change careers to follow their passion
- connect and collaborate with big brands
- start craft markets
- scale their businesses to increase profit and demand for their products
- receive national press recognition
- get over their fears of failure (and success) and more!
Year after year, the most common word attendees use to describe Craftcation is “life-changing”!
JOIN US AT CRAFTCATION 2019
April 3-7, 2019
Ventura, CA
Registration Opens 10.5.18
We may not know you yet, but we do know that we’re STRONGER TOGETHER.
We look forward to welcoming you into our community.
ALUMNI LOVE
“I was REALLY nervous to come to my first Craftcation on my own but I’m SO glad I took the risk. It way exceeded my expectations. I created meaningful friendships, crafted my heart out and got business skills that I’m already putting into practice. There’s no way I’m missing Craftcation next year.” – Craftcation Alum
“Last year was my first Craftcation (it’s been on my to-do list for five years). I was anxious about attending alone but I got so much more out of it than I could have dreamed of. I left with new best friends, crafty skills and so much business info. Everyone was so inviting and friendly. It’s worth every penny (and then some). I can’t wait to come back.” – Katie, Craftcation Alum
“Craftcation is a great place to explore and expand your creativity, try new crafts and techniques, learn about how to turn your hobby/passion into a business, and be in an accepting community of wonderfully diverse creative people. It is a great value for the price and you will come away refreshed and with your creative spirit renewed!” – Kim, Craftcation Alum
“The tribe is everything. There are so many blogs, podcasts and videos out there that finding information isn’t that hard. The difference is sitting in a room with 100 people who are there for some of the same reasons takes the shared experience to another level. It’s the difference between listening to music on headphones at home or going to a concert.” – Johanna, Craftcation Alum
Honestly, I thought I’d go and feel the need to take every business class because of the investment of money, but I soon realized I had made the investment in myself and experimenting with other art forms challenged my creativity, informed my work and renewed my handmade spirit. Money and time are scarce resources for me and the investment of both in this experience was well worth it.” – Natalie, Craftcation Alum & Ambassador
