by Phoebe Sherman (Founder of Girl Gang Craft)
We’ve put together a list of our favorite craft shows in the Bay Area (and beyond) to participate in as a maker. I really wish something like this existed when I was starting out, so we’ve made it easy for all you beginning or veteran creatives to know what shows are out there. Here are our favorite shows and links to applications. PS most of these involve some sort of application process. Some fairs are really great for beginning vendors, and some fairs (like WCC) are pretty selective in their acceptances. GGC STILL has not gotten accepted to WCC for the years we’ve applied. Anyways, if you get denied to a fair, KEEP TRYING. Shows like to see you improve and grow! As a craft fair ourselves, we understand different shows are looking for different kinds of makers. We here at GGC are looking for high quality products, professional-looking photographs, authentic + cohesive branding, and businesses that are aligned with our personal values (ie we love a punk-y politicized vibe). Here are our favorite shows in the Bay Area (and Beyond) this Market Season. Good luck applying makers! We’ve obviously got to start the list out with ourselves! (everything else is relatively in order of dates) 1. Girl Gang Craft Girl Gang Craft is the ultimate craft fair for womxn, non-binary + trans makers and healers (and moving forward we will have limited spaces for allies). Plus we’re the only craft fair that has dope feminist merch AND works hard to aid in brand education so our makers can kickass in person and online. GGC LA Spring Market Saturday, Sunday May 2 + 3 Grand Central Market, Los Angeles, CA applications open week of 2/16. GGC Oakland Spring Market Sunday May 17, Scottish Rite, Oakland, CA applications open week of 2/16. 2. Headwest Headwest is thrown by Jimmy Brower of West Perro. His market is beautifully curated with vintage + handmade goods. Headwest offers numerous events throughout the year all over the Bay Area, with venues like 4th st Berkeley, Temescal, Hangar One, and the Barlow in Sebastopol. (Offers up to 3 events a month!) Next dates: March 7, Barlow, Sebastopol, CA. March 14, Hangar 1 Distillery, Alameda, CA. March 21, Fourth St, Berkeley, CA. See full Headwest Calendar here and apply here. 3. Renegade Craft Fair Renegade Craft Fair has been around since 2003 and travels all around the US and London too! Renegade is always a great experience for makers to get their name out there. You can share a booth if the weekend price tag seems a bit high. We like to think of the cost as covering both the booth space and the chance to market your wares to 20,000 people. Renegade has 3 weekend craft fairs year round: April, July + November. Next Renegade Craft: Spring: April 4+5 at Fort Mason Center, SF, CA. Summer: July 11 + 12 at Fort Mason Center, SF, CA. Applications are open now. 4. Urban Air Market Urban Air was established in 2005 and is the largest outdoor design festival in the country. They throw 2 shows in Hayes Valley, one in Oakland, and one in LA. These shows get tons of traffic. They open their applications at the beginning of the year and you can reserve your spot for all 4 shows ahead of time, so make sure you are on their newsletter to be in the know. That is why we have included all of their dates below. May 3, Hayes Valley, San Francisco, CA June 7, Los Feliz, Los Angeles, CA July 19, The Hive, Oakland, CA September 13, Hayes Valley, San Francisco, CA Apply now. 5. West Coast Craft West Coast Craft is the ultimate showcase of polished brands from across the US. WCC features artists that embody the west coast lifestyle. It takes place at Fort Mason, and you are bound to find some inspiration for your next creation or if you’re selling the traffic at this show is amazing! *The application process is highly selective.* Next WCC: June 13+ 14 at Fort Mason, SF Applications are open now 6. Patchwork Show Patchwork show is put on by Dear Handmade Life and has several shows throughout California. Their Oakland show is at Jack London Square outside along the water. This is a very inclusive show and was GGC Founder Phoebe’s first ever craft show when she was making jewelry. Nicole, the founder of Dear Handmade Life is also a badass and throws Craftcation, a weekend long conference located in Ventura, CA. Next Patchwork Show: June 20, 2020 at Jack London Square, Oakland, CA. Applications are open February 20. Happy Applying Makers! For more about how to be successful at Craft Fairs, download our FREE BOOTH DESIGN GUIDE.