So, you want to get involved in a craft market!
Once you have gifted your wares to all your relatives and sold to your friends, you need to sell your creations! So, where to start? There are many different types of craft fairs in our city: handmade, curated, juried, invitational, Home based Business, open to all, themed, members only, multi day sale with a central cashier etc.
Yukon Handmade requires that you make your creation in the Yukon (or northern BC).
Curated is when the vendors are chosen by the organizers of that market and they may limit the number of vendors selling any particular line (perhaps jewellery or body care).
Juried usually mean restricted to a certain criterion (i.e. There is a juried market in BC run by the Fibre Arts Guild which only accepts items made primarily from fibre)
Some market organizers invite participants to ensure a mix of new and established vendors and products. • Themed markets are where all vendors have types of product in common (i.e. geek items, all jewellery, repurposed)
Yukon Craft Society, Fireweed Community Market and Etsy all require a membership to apply for each market. YCS and FCM have an annual fee, Etsy require you to have an Etsy shop.
The Yukon Craft Society’s Spruce Bog Christmas Boutique and the Fireweed Community Market’s 12 Days of Christmas are both Multi-Day sales. This entails paying a fee for your space and working shifts at the market. Each of your items is priced and have your distinct vendor number on it. Customers shop the whole market and pay at a central cashier. You can re- stock as needed throughout the market and will receive a check at the end, minus a percentage on all sales for credit/debit card transaction fees and/or commission.
Here are some of the most well known markets in Whitehorse:
The Yukon Craft Society holds 3 markets each year: Spring Spruce Bog in April, the Yukon’s largest and longest running one day sale in November, and a multi-day Boutique market at the Old Fire Hall in December. The Yukon Crafts Society yearly membership allows you to apply on all Spruce Bog markets. These markets are for Yukon & Atlin handmade products. (70% handmade/30% manufactured). Our contact information is at the bottom of the page.
Fireweed Community Market holds 2 markets each year: the Fireweed Outdoor Market (Thursdays May - September), and the 12 Days of Christmas at the KDCC (December). FCM yearly membership and mandatory. Volunteer fee allows you to apply on all FCM markets. Contact https://fireweedmarket.ca/outdoor-market . These markets are for Yukon & Atlin handmade products.
The Yuketsy Team hosts a one-day sale in September. Criteria is that you must have an active online Etsy shop with a minimum of 4 listings to apply for this market. Contact: www.facebook.com/Yuketsyteam or email yuketsyteam@gmail.com. These markets are for Yukon & northern BC hand made products.
Hulland Haunts & Holly open market at Jack Hulland School in October. Contact: 867-667-8496 5. Christ the King Elementary School, open market in early November. Contact:
ckescouncil@gmail.com
A Christmas Bazaar Best Western Gold Rush Inn, open market usually in November. Contact: Ron & Jean Croy rj.croy@hotmail.com
The Legion’s Christmas Craft Fair at the Yukon Inn, open market in November. Contact: Lillian 633-4583 8. Kwanlin Dun Culture Centre/Library Open House open market November (usually 3rd Saturday) Contact: KDCC
Re:design Fair late November supported by Zero Waste. Contact: Leslie Leong or Darren Holcombe
Cranberry Fair juried Northern Fibres Guild, November.
Geek the Halls - Yukon Comic Culture Society late November.
By the Book 2-day sale Well Read Books end of November.
This is not a comprehensive list! Elijah Smith School, Golden Age Society & YACL all hold sales as well and there are many small individual ones with new pop-ups every year. There are also seasonal markets in just about every Yukon community. If you are starting out, test the waters at one of the smaller sales before committing to a larger, longer sale.
Tips and Tricks:
Apply early, most of the established markets send out their applications months in advance and they fill up quickly. Organizers need lead time for ordering signs/pamphlets, floor plan design and promotion. Ensure your membership is up to date and that you are on the email lists for all markets that you are interested in.
Thoroughly read the application and any emails that are sent regarding the market. Check your spelling on your applications, especially email and name. If you do not get an expected application or reply, check your spam or junk folder. Save a copy of your application and special requests. Organizers are bombarded with last minute emails asking, “What size is my table?”, “did I request power/wall/table included?”, “Can I be near so-and-so?” “Where am I located again?”
Pay as soon as required- don’t make organizers chase you as there was usually waitlists of vendors waving money.
Help promote the event, online and in person; the most successful markets have engaged vendors. Many hands make little work; do not expect the organizers to carry the entire load.
Never leave a sale early, it is disrespectful to the customers, organizers, other vendors and may mean that you will not be accepted back.
Elevate your display and use fabric (not plastic) table coverings to the floor to hide your extra stock. Even more, use a unique display like shelving; hanging bars, apple boxes etc. There are 100000 ideas on Pinterest.
Have a sign with your name or business name and have cards with contact information so customers can find you again. Make sure each item is tagged with contact information as well. We all want repeat sales. Organizers get a lot of calls after events looking for the person who was selling ???’s and they don’t necessarily remember every seller’s products.
On the day of any sale, offload and park as far away as possible (or ideally be dropped off) to leave the choice parking for your customers.
Offers to help with setup and teardown and signage are always appreciated-most of the organizers are vendors/volunteers and can use all the help they can get.
You can get the Made in Yukon paper bags, tags and stickers at Art’s Under ground, free of charge. It is best if you order ahead.
On the day of the market, things to bring: Table or display if they are not provided, float and square visa card reader; Food & water, there will be some eats, but it's a long day!; Comfortable shoes (or even just a second pair) and wear layers to adjust for temperature changes; extension cords if you have lighting; phone charger; a helper if you can enlist one.
Enjoy your craft season!
Chantal Pelletier, Board President