Participants Info & Application:
Step 3:
Category 01
Arts & Crafts Vendor
Finances:
- April 16th – June 15th: $200.00 with a $20.00 non-refundable “jury” fee
- June 16th and after: $295.00 with a $20.00 non-refundable “jury” fee
Details:
- There will be no “Sideshow” in 2024
- This category can also include apparel/accessories, temporary body art (including face tattoos and Henna), up-cycle/resale, authors, oil/creams, screen printers and other makers.
- Unacceptable: mass-manufactured items, kits, imports, mass-manufactured reproductions of your own work, foods, or recorded media of any kind. If you are a designer who has objects manufactured, or otherwise do not meet the guidelines above, please apply as a commercial vendor.
- Original artists / crafters must be present to display their work. No agents or representatives.
- Approximately 100 arts & crafts booths are in one three-block section. The Arts and Crafts section is mid-avenue, from Curtis (in Albany) to approximately Ventura (in Berkeley). There are relatively fewer performers and food vendors in this area. Although we have commercial booths, they are placed elsewhere & cost a lot more.
- REMINDER: We do not provide canopies, chairs, or tables.
Important (!)
- Please submit digital images of your work with your application, including:
- You in the process of producing your items (!)
- Your booth (if possible)
- Your item(s)
- Legacy Crafters are exempt from submitting photographs.
- Any additional images are optional. The photos must be representative of the items you typically sell. Photos will be used to verify that work juried is what you sell on the day of the Stroll.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is a Legacy Crafter?
A Legacy Crafter is someone who has attended the last three events consecutively – without gap. Legacy Crafters do not have to submit images of any kind for review (they do not even need to submit a jury fee). Adopted in June 2016.
What items are appropriate / what can I sell?
In the hand-crafted section there is a saturation of product types (jewelry, etc.). Please keep in mind that there are existing merchants on Solano Avenue who may participate outside of their stores – selling items that may conflict with yours in both category and price point.
What is an Artist’s Statement?
The “Artist Statement” is on the registration form, asking you to briefly describe your hand-produced items and their manufacturing process (Please note category rules).
Do I have to submit photos every year as an arts and crafts vendor?
Yes. Unless you are a Legacy Crafter.
How important are the photos?
We can not stress enough how important your images are; especially the one of you “actually manufacturing your product”! Your application may be returned to you as incomplete if this photo is missing from your application, even if you are a repeat participant. We must have pictures of you doing your own work.
When will I know if I have been accepted as a Crafter?
Late June, or early July.
How do the jury fees work?
There are two separate checks/money-orders involved: The “jury fee ” is a non-refundable payment for us to determine if you qualify as a Crafter. The second payment is deposited once you are accepted – sent back or destroyed if not.
What if I see “buy and sell ” or non-hand-crafted items for sale in the Arts/Crafts area?
Please let us know! We rely on the vendors to self-police the section. Please let us know, anonymously if necessary who you suspect of selling non-crafted items. The integrity of the crafters area is of paramount importance to us; Starting in 2010 we stepped-up the “jurying ” process and getting into the crafters area became more difficult.
Do I need insurance?
No. However we recommend it.
I have seen lots of manufactured (non-hand-crafted) items at the Stroll, why the fuss?
We take measures to maintain the integrity the crafters section as best as we can. Members of the Solano Avenue Association who own businesses in the crafters section can do what they want with their storefronts and what they sell may not be handcrafted. In some cases SAA members allow relatives or outside organizations to sell in front of their businesses. Yes, you do see mass-manufactured items at the event, ideally/mostly outside of the crafters area. Importers/mass manufacturers are welcomed to apply as commercial vendors.
I am a crafter wanting two booths, do I have to pay two/double jury fees?
No.
How does the day of event set-up work?
Check out or Participants Page and become familiar with our Expectations of Public Conduct.
More questions? Stroll FAQ (Frequent Questions and Answers)
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