2023 Holiday Marketplace

Holiday Marketplace 2023

Join Craft Contemporary for a festive shopping weekend showcasing a curated selection of exceptional, one-of-a-kind contemporary craft and design by LA-based makers!

This year's event will feature work from more than 20 local artists; past events have included practices ranging from ceramics and jewelry to textiles and glasswork to floral arrangements, artisanal chocolates, and more! Visitors enjoy music and refreshments while they shop and mingle in the presence of outstanding design and craftsmanship. Come celebrate our vibrant community of makers while supporting the mission and programming of Craft Contemporary!

SCHEDULE

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2023

11 AM - 5 PM

MEMBER PREVIEW: 10 AM - 11 AM

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2023

11 AM - 5 PM

ADMISSION

Saturday: $9 Door Fee (Includes Museum Admission)

Sunday: Pay-what-you-can!

FAQ for Vendors

Apply to be a vendor at Craft Contemporary’s annual Holiday Marketplace!

Deadline has been extended to 10/1!

Click to Apply

When and how can I apply?

Why should I be a vendor at Holiday Marketplace?

Craft Contemporary is a museum and 501(c)3 non-profit that has been providing compelling art exhibits, educational programming, and community-building workshops to the greater Los Angeles area for over 50 years. Proceeds from our annual Holiday Marketplace help sustain our institution for the future!

In line with the museum’s overarching mission, our award-winning museum store is invested in supporting and promoting local established and emerging artists. We provide valuable, artist-focused promotion, including branded social media posts, to help spread the word about your work!

We are small but mighty! Unlike other craft fairs where the individual impact of a single vendor can be diluted in a large space with lots of competition, our highly curated selection means that each vendor receives plenty of attention within an elevated environment.

We have a great audience from a mix of diverse backgrounds and age groups! Vendors rave about how engaged, friendly, and appreciative our arts-oriented members and visitors are.

We offer pay-what-you-can admission on Sundays, making the event welcoming to all. There is no up-front cost to vendors, making Marketplace participation accessible to newer vendors and those with smaller operations.

Where is the event held?

How much does it cost to participate?

There is no application fee and no table fee for vendors who are selected. Craft Contemporary collects all payments from customers during the event and files the appropriate sales tax to the State Board of Equalization. Craft Contemporary retains 30% of each vendor’s retail sales made during the Marketplace in order to provide crucial support for the event, as well as to support other museum programming. The remaining 70% is issued as a check to each vendor, based on their individual sales, within 10 business days of the event.

What does Craft Contemporary provide?

Vendors are provided with a 6-foot (or 4-foot) table and seating for up to two people. If you prefer to bring your own display fixtures, keep in mind that your entire setup (including space for you!) must fit within a 4’ x 6’ footprint. All alternative displays must be approved in advance. Craft Contemporary does not provide any display racks, extension cords, tablecloths, signage, etc. Access to an electrical outlet may be requested, but due to space limitations is not guaranteed. Shade umbrellas are strategically placed to provide shade during the sunniest hours of the day, but we encourage you to bring a hat!

Craft Contemporary processes all sales (and collects all sales tax) during the Marketplace. Vendors are provided with receipt books in order to tally customer purchases; the receipts are then brought to one of our staffed kiosks for payment, and once paid, the customer can return their proof of purchase to the vendor to collect their items.

What do vendors provide?

Vendors provide their unique, designed and handcrafted wares! They also provide approved display fixtures, tablecloths, signage, extension cords, and any other items needed to create a fun and eye-catching display for their work.

Vendors bring all their own bags and packaging so that customers can easily and safely transport their purchases.

Vendors agree to keep their table staffed with at least one person at all times during the event. They are also responsible for setting up and taking down their entire display each day. Overnight storage is provided on-site Saturday. Vendors are expected to attend from 8:30 AM to 6 PM on Saturday and from 9:30 AM to 6 PM on Sunday (includes load-in and load-out time).

How are vendors selected?

Our selection committee is looking for a diverse but cohesive mix of merchandise and vendors that reflects the breadth of craft practices and makers working in the LA-area today. Items for sale are not required to be handcrafted by the vendor, but the Marketplace is intended to promote local artisans first and foremost, so items that have been manufactured using mass-produced processes will be considered accordingly (but still considered – we encourage local, design-based small businesses to apply!) We will also consider local resellers of vintage or imported handcrafted goods, but are looking for ethical and sustainable sourcing practices.

Price points are not mandated, but we do look for vendors who have items for sale at a range of prices. For this holiday shopping event, we find that $5 – 150 is a good range for the average shopper, with some higher priced items available.

What is the selection timeline?

Additional Questions?

Please contact us at shop@craftcontemporary.org with any questions!

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FAQ for Vendors

Additional Questions?

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