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HA 2019 FAQ
Venue, Date and Time:
HANDMADE ARCADE 2019
Saturday, December 7, 2019
David L. Lawrence Convention Center
11 a.m.–7 p.m.
10 a.m. Early Birdie shopping hour
Friday Night Preview Party:
Friday, December 6, 2019, 5:30–8 p.m.
HOW DO I APPLY TO HANDMADE ARCADE?
Important application info:
- Applications open on June 4, 2019.
- Applications close on August 11, 2019, at 11:59 p.m. (EST)
- Late applications will not be accepted. NO EXCEPTIONS.
- Applicants will be notified by September 20, 2019.
- Payments must be received by October 11, 2019. If payment is not received by the due date, the accepted applicant’s vendor space will be forfeited and offered to a waitlisted applicant. Vendor space fees (including extra fees for electricity and preferred spaces) are not refundable after October 31, 2019.
IMPORTANT: At this time, food vendors are NOT permitted to sell at Handmade Arcade. This includes chocolates, tea, honey, and candy. If you have specific questions regarding your products, please ask before you apply at info@handmadearcade.org.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO APPLY TO HANDMADE ARCADE?
Application fees:
- $10 non-refundable application fee if applying BEFORE June 30, 2019
- $15 non-refundable application fee if applying AFTER June 30, 2019
Vendor space fees:
$400 Expanded Vendor Space:
- 10-by-15-foot display space, with TWO 8-by-2.5-foot tables and two chairs.
- 20 expanded spaces available.
- Applicants can request an expanded space during the application phase.
- Accepted vendors who have requested this space will be given them in order of payment received.
- Those who do not pay in time to receive an expanded space will be directed to pay for a standard 10-by-10-foot space.
$275 Standard Vendor Space:
- 10-by-10-foot display space, with one 8-by-2.5-foot table and two chairs.
$150 Craft Corridor Vendor Space:
- 6-by-6-foot display space with one 6-by-2.5-foot table and two chairs.
- Craft Corridor is for emerging vendors.
- Only apply for this space if you have NEVER sold at the Handmade Arcade December event before.
- Electricity not permitted in this area.
- 20 Craft Corridor spaces available.
- There will be a pre-event meeting to assist new vendors in preparing for Handmade Arcade.
Additional fees:
- Electricity fee: $65 (Not available for Craft Corridor vendors)
- Request an Endcap Space (i.e., the end of an aisle): $50 (See below for details.)
Hall B at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center:
Handmade Arcade is returning to the upper-level floor of the David L. Lawrence Convention Center. Hall B offers natural light, expanded space, and access to a spacious lobby and balcony with river and city views.
FRIDAY LOAD-IN and FRIDAY NIGHT PREVIEW PARTY on December 6 at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center.
Vendors who choose to load in on Friday afternoon are REQUIRED to participate in the Friday preview party from 5:30 - 8 p.m.
The Friday night preview is a great opportunity to set up early, make some early sales, and to meet and mingle with your fellow vendors.
Details for Friday load-in and preview party:
- Early load-in on Friday afternoon between noon and 4 p.m. allows vendors for more time to set up.
- Teamsters available during Friday load-in.
- In order to secure Friday load-in, you must commit to the Friday night preview event when you pay for your vendor space.
- Vendors who choose to load-in on Friday are required to participate in the Friday preview party from 5:30 - 8 p.m.
Also:
- Vendors are expected to be back at their booths by 9 a.m. Saturday morning to prepare for the 10 a.m. Early Birdie shopping hour.
- Handmade Arcade is reserving a block of rooms at The Westin Convention Center, Pittsburgh -- across the street from the DLCC -- for Friday night, December 6, 2019. Spend the night and be back at the DLCC by 9 a.m. for Handmade Arcade 2019! Rooms will also be available for Saturday night.
REQUEST AN ENDCAP SPACE (i.e., the end of an aisle)
The cost to reserve an endcap space is $50. There are a limited number of endcaps that can be reserved on a first-come, first served basis.
CRAFT CORRIDOR INFORMATION
For the third year, Handmade Arcade is celebrating our grassroots history and mission by offering a limited number of smaller tables at the reduced price of $150 to EMERGING craft artists. Craft Corridor applications will undergo the same jury process as standard full-price vendor applications. This is an opportunity for less-established vendors to participate in Handmade Arcade. There will be a pre-event meeting to assist new vendors in preparing for Handmade Arcade
Craft Corridor set-up details:
- Craft Corridor vendor spaces are 6-by-6-foot. Everything, including all extra merchandise and supplies, must fit in the 6-by-6 foot space. No exceptions.
- Each space receives one 6-by-2.5-foot table and two chairs.
- Electricity will NOT be available in the Craft Corridor section.
Craft Corridor applicants must meet the following requirements:
- You have never been a vendor at Handmade Arcade's December event.
- You may NOT also apply to Handmade Arcade as a full-price vendor. Double applicants will be disqualified in both applicant pools.
If unsure about eligibility or set-up details, please email info@handmadearcade.org before applying.
WHAT KIND OF ITEMS DOES HANDMADE ARCADE ACCEPT?
Handmade Arcade is a juried, curated marketplace. Applicants' products should be handmade, hand-crafted or represent the artist’s personal creation. Mass-produced merchandise is prohibited at all Handmade Arcade events. Accepted vendors are NOT permitted to bring products from anyone not listed on their original application.
HOW DOES THE HANDMADE ARCADE JURY PROCESS WORK?
Every application is reviewed and voted on by our jurors. Every part of your application is important. The jury reviews your products and process description, images, merchandise price and website. Make sure that your images are of the highest quality and that your website, if you have one, is active. If you provide the URL for an Etsy shop, we suggest that it is currently offering a representative selection of your merchandise.
Handmade Arcade’s jury consists of the planning committee, as well as new and rotating guest jurors from Pittsburgh's arts, craft, cultural and small business communities.
WHAT IF I WANT TO APPLY WITH A FRIEND?
- Handmade Arcade encourages you to apply with a fellow crafter. The application allows you to apply with a second applicant. Both applicants are reviewed at the same time.
- Make sure that images represent both applicants’ products.
- The primary applicant is notified by email.
- Both accepted vendors will share the vendor space and be listed together on the website and event map. (e.g. Vendor 1 / Vendor 2)
- All set-up needs for vendors who are sharing a space must be decided and planned between the vendors prior to the day of the event.
WHEN WILL I KNOW IF I HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED?
- Acceptance notifications will be sent by September 20, 2019.
- Accepted applicants are required to complete a detailed vendor information form at the time payment is due. Accepted applicants are also required to fill out a vendor survey after the event.
- Accepted applicants will be sent an information package via email.
- Accepted vendors will be invited to join a private Facebook group to share event details and updates. Vendors are strongly encouraged to join.
- Waitlisted applicants will be notified if a vendor space becomes available.
- If you are not accepted to Handmade Arcade 2019, we encourage you to reapply next year. Handmade Arcade does not offer vendor critiques.
HOW LARGE IS A STANDARD VENDOR SPACE?
- Standard vendor spaces are 10-by-10-foot.
- Each space receives one 8-by-2.5-foot table and two chairs. If accepted, you will be required to fill out an information form where you will indicate if you need a table and/or chairs. You are not required to use tables from the convention center in this area.
- All racks, display structures, extra merchandise containers, and personal belongings MUST fit within the 10-by-10-foot space.
HOW LARGE IS AN EXPANDED VENDOR SPACE?
- Expanded vendor spaces are 10-by-15-foot.
- Each space receives two 8-by-2.5-foot tables and two chairs. If accepted, you will be required to fill out an information form where you will indicate if you need a table and/or chairs. You are not required to use tables from the convention center in this area.
- Vendors must stay within their assigned space and be courteous to their crafty neighbors.
- All racks, display structures, extra merchandise containers, and personal belongings MUST fit within the 10-by-15-foot space.
HOW LARGE IS A CRAFT CORRIDOR VENDOR SPACE?
- Craft Corridor vendor spaces are 6-by-6-foot.
- Each space receives one 6-by-2.5-foot table and two chairs. You are not required to use this table in the Craft Corridor area.
- Vendors must stay within their assigned space and be courteous to their crafty neighbors.
- Electricity will NOT be available in the Craft Corridor section.
OTHER IMPORTANT DETAILS
- Vendors in Standard and Expanded Spaces are permitted to bring tables, fixtures, grid walls and/or custom display items. All racks, display items, extra merchandise and personal belongings must fit within the assigned vendor space. No exceptions.
- Craft Corridor vendors must adhere to all requirements and restrictions listed in the Craft Corridor section.
- Vendors may NOT tape or hang any items on the convention center walls. Vendors are not permitted to adhere to, hammer on or lean anything against convention center property.
- HA will make every effort to accommodate special requests made on your vendor information form.
- Electricity is available for an additional cost of $65. (Electricity is not available to Craft Corridor vendors.)
- Vendors may request an endcap space. The cost to reserve an endcap is $50.
- Parking and all charges related therein are the responsibility of vendors.
- If you need to leave your table during the event, volunteers will be available to watch your booth for a short time. Volunteers are not permitted to sell your wares or purchase food for you. Food lines at the DLCC can be long. We recommend that you bring food and drinks.
APPLICATION TIPS
- Be sure to upload high-quality, high-resolution photographs that are clear and in focus. Photos should bring out the best in your products, highlight the materials and methods used, and demonstrate originality, innovation and the handmade process.
- IMPORTANT: If you are reapplying, use this opportunity to show us something new. Do not use photos that you have submitted in the past.
- A website is preferred, but an Etsy shop is also acceptable. If you don’t have either, a social media page (Instagram, Facebook, blog) for your business is acceptable. (Please do not share personal social media accounts.)
- We strongly recommend that your website and/or Etsy shop be live and current during the application process.
- Have plenty of items listed in your store that best represent what you intend to sell at Handmade Arcade.
- A well-written description of your products and creative process is vital to your application.
