Running a Craft Show (and Bringing One Back to Life)

In March, I organized and relaunched the Women’s Festival of Crafts, an all-women makers market that had been a staple for decades before losing its footing during COVID. Like many events, it went virtual for a couple of years. After that, it struggled to find a new home, and eventually, it just stopped.

It was a great market that had a huge following and it was one that meant a lot to me.

This was the first craft show I ever shopped at as an adult. I still have the first piece of pottery I bought there. It was also the very first market I vended at, back when I truly had no idea what I was doing. The women organizing it at the time took a chance on me, and it’s something I’ll never forget.

When I saw the opportunity to bring it back, I thought maybe I could be the one to do it.

The “Should I Do This?” Phase

I didn’t jump in right away. I sat with the idea for over a year. I talked to other makers. I reached out to past organizers. I weighed the timing.

Because here’s the thing: I’d be taking this on during the busiest season of my year. The holiday market season is already packed, and adding another event, especially one I’d be running, felt like a lot.

And I didn’t want to bring it back to just to squeeze it into the holiday season.

I wanted it to feel intentional. Special. Worth showing up for.

That’s when the idea clicked: what if it came back as a celebration of International Women’s Day?

There was something meaningful about that, creating a space where people could gather specifically to celebrate women in the community. It gave the event a renewed purpose.

It also came with risks.

March in Vermont is unpredictable. A snowstorm could wipe out attendance. And let’s be honest, there’s no obvious reason for people to shop in March. The holidays are long gone, and occasions like Mother’s Day and graduation are still far off.

People told me it was risky. They weren’t wrong.

But by that point, I was already attached to the idea and so I went for it.

What It Actually Takes to Run a Market

Once I made the decision, I had five weeks to pull it all together.

Five weeks, this is a very short turn around time to get a market organized.

If you’ve never run a market before, it’s hard to fully grasp how much goes into it. Here’s a glimpse:

• Securing and booking a venue
• Putting out a call for vendors
• Reviewing applications and curating the lineup
• Purchasing event insurance
• Building and updating the event webpage
• Creating a full marketing plan
• Writing and distributing press releases
• Coordinating social media (graphics, scheduling, vendor features)
• Designing, printing, and distributing posters
• Running paid ads
• Listing the event in local media and calendars
• Communicating consistently with vendors (I sent weekly emails)
• Creating the event layout and assigning booth spaces
• Replacing vendors who drop out
• Answering hundreds of emails (tickets? waitlist? availability?)
• Taping out the floor plan
• Managing day-of logistics and questions

And I’m probably still forgetting things. All of this and unless you charge the vendors an arm and a leg (which I didn't), there's not that much money left to be paid for you time. Full disclosure I knew this going into it and I my goal was to create a really great market, not to make lots of money off it.

Anyways, It’s a lot but also very rewarding.

Over the years, I’ve organized events through my work at Gardener’s, hosted smaller educational events with Farm Craft, and helped relaunch Touch of Vermont. I’ve also been on the other side showing up as a vendor at countless markets.

All that experience matters.

Because beyond marketing (which I have a background in), the real key to a smooth event is logistics. Clear communication. Anticipating needs before they become problems.

So… Was It Worth It?

It was incredible.

Hundreds of people showed up to support the event. I don’t think I fully realized how many people had missed Women’s Fest, or how meaningful its return would be to the community.

It was truly magical. Vendors were happy. Attendees were happy. I was happy.

It all ran smoothly, smoother than I could have ever hoped for.

What Worked

To me here's what made the biggest impact:

• Communicating consistently with vendors (I sent weekly emails) so everyone knew exactly what was going on.
  
• Vendor highlights on social media.
  • I had several vendors mention that they had customers tell them they saw their highlight and came to the market specifically for them.
• The press release was picked up by a local paper and a local news station.
  • The news station ran a piece the morning of the event
• Having graphics and suggested copy for vendors to promote the event
• Adding the wifi info to vendor booth tags so they didn't have to search their email for it or track me down the morning of.

What’s Next

Originally, I toyed with the idea of making it a holiday market again. There are rumors of one of the largest holiday markets not coming back to Burlington.

But after it’s success, it feels right exactly where it is.

The Women’s Festival of Crafts has a new home aligned with International Women’s Day, rooted in community, and centered on celebrating women makers.

And I Iook forward to do it again.