When to apply:
Applications open twice a year for our shows. Winter Show applications will open mid-July, and Spring Show applications open mid-January. When applications open, you will find a link to our application system on the Apply Page of our website. If you’d like to be notified by email when applications open, please sign up to our email list here.

Filling out the application:
In your application, we ask for details about your product and process as it relates to our evaluation criteria and five images that illustrate the range and quality of your work.

When will I know if i’ve been accepted?
Applications are typically open for about 3-4 weeks, then our jurying process takes approximately two weeks. Sometimes this process can take longer, depending on so many things that sometimes come up in life (hurricanes, pandemics, you name it!). We so appreciate everyone’s patience and we know how hard it is to wait! Usually we send out the notices within two months from the application open date.

Please see the “application evaluation” section for more info on our jurying process

*NEW* 2D Fine Art Originals:

Original two-dimensional hand painted or hand printed pieces. Examples in this category include original drawings, 2D screen printed work, linoleum block printing, letterpress, watercolour painting, acrylic painting and oil painting.

*NEW* 2D Fine Art Reproductions:

This category is for applicants who will sell mostly reproductions of their original two-dimensional works of art. This includes digital work that has been printed on paper and mechanical reproductions of original watercolours, oil paintings and drawings. This category also includes photographic prints, and digitally reproduced stationery like greeting cards.

*NEW* Glass and Metalsmithing:

Original work where either glass or metal are the main material. Examples of work that belong in this category are stained glass art and metal sculpture.

*NEW* Bath and Beauty:

Handmade products for personal care and wellness. This includes products for skincare or personal care such as makeup, soap, lotions, bath salts, shampoos and fragrances. Candles are also included in this category.

*NEW* Kits:

If the majority of your products are original handmade kits, then this new category is for you. The Kits category includes products that are made up of a collection of materials, supplies or parts and perhaps instructions that are meant to be assembled by the customer. An example of this would be a do-it-yourself embroidery kit, where the vendor is supplying an original pattern or instructions along with all the materials needed to complete the project.

3D Fine Art:

This category is for artwork created in three dimensions including sculptural work in a variety of mediums. Examples of work in this category include needle felted 3D work, miniatures, floral arrangements, and clay sculpture.

Ceramics:

Original work made from a clay material such as earthenware, stonewear, or porcelain. Items in this category would include handmade ceramic dishware like bowls, platters and mugs.

Food:

This category includes homemade food products like chocolates, baked goods, preserves and beverages.

Jewellery

Original handmade work that is designed and created for personal wear. Jewellery can be made from a wide variety of materials such as various types of metals, glass, fibre etc.

Leather

Handmade original work that is made mostly from leather.

Papercraft:

Original work that involves special manipulation of paper materials such as cutting or folding. Examples would include papercutting, papier mache and bookbinding.

Textile Apparel (including accessories):

This category includes original handmade garments and accessories for personal wear made from various types of cloth or woven material. Some examples in this category include original clothing designs in any material, undergarments, hand-knitted items, hand-dyed silk scarves.

Textile Art:

Original household or decorative textile items made of various types of cloth or woven material in two or three dimensions. This includes handmade tea towels, handmade natural yarns, decorative sculpture, soft toys, handwoven rugs or wall hangings.

Wood:

Handmade original work made mostly from wood. Some examples in this category are furniture, woodcarving, wood serving boards or cutting boards, wooden tools or utensils and wood turned decorative pieces.

Halifax Crafters is a carefully juried and curated craft market. Our jury includes a selection of 8 – 10 people from a broad variety of art & craft backgrounds, including up to two guest jurors from outside the Halifax Crafters Society. Applications are assessed using a point system. The Jurying process takes about 10 days. The following are the key points looked for within each application.

Check out a sample application here.

Applicants are given a score out of 10 based on the following criteria:

Depth of process (3 points)
Priority is given to someone who dyes, prints, drafts the pattern, and sews a garment over someone who buys a pattern and uses already printed fabric.

Independent small-scale crafters (1 point)
It is part of our mission to cultivate an accessible environment for craftspeople. Emerging and established artisans are equally celebrated, however, preference will be given to newer talent to encourage growth.

Quality craftership (2 points)
The quality of your work is very important to us. If your product is functional, will it be long-lasting? Include details on the steps you take to ensure quality in your work. Clear photos are important to your application.

Unique and original ideas (3 points)
Halifax Crafters works to celebrate contemporary handcraft. We encourage unique and original ideas and artwork.

Branding, identity and market readiness (1 point)
Clarity of voice and intention in products and descriptions. Thoughtful and professional presentation.

Selections:
Once applications are scored, final selections are made from the top-ranking applicants. The jury aims to select a variety of applicants to represent an equal assortment of craft mediums.

A small percentage of crafters are accepted from out of province.

12% of total available spaces per show are held for applicants who self identify as BIPOC on their application. More information on this in the section below “BIPOC Spaces”

Halifax Crafters acknowledges the historic, systemic and ongoing discrimination that affect a number of groups in our community. It is our mission to cultivate an accessible environment for craftspeople and to create connections within our community. We are committed to pursuing an understanding of contemporary craft from all communities. We are also committed to welcoming and making space for those who identify as Black, African Nova Scotian, Indigenous, POC, LGBTQ+; and those who identify as neuro-divergent.

How are we addressing these inequities?

Halifax Crafters works toward being more inclusive of individuals and communities who face discrimination or have barriers to full participation. Here’s how we are working towards this goal and making space:

*NEW* BIPOC Spaces
Halifax Crafters holds 12% of the total show spaces per show for crafters who self identify as BIPOC. See more info in the next section.

Identity Questions
Halifax Crafters includes a section on the application form for individuals to self-identify as being part of an underrepresented group and/or to identify any barriers they faced in completing the application form. Disclosure of this information is voluntary and confidential and will be used by the jury to more fairly consider these applications.

Halifax Crafters holds 12% of the total show spaces per show for crafters who self-identify as BIPOC. Our application includes a voluntary checkbox for individuals to self-identify as BIPOC. This opportunity is optional and not required for BIPOC crafters.

Halifax Crafters includes a section on the application form for individuals to self-identify as being part of an underrepresented group and/or to identify any barriers they faced in completing the application form. Disclosure of this information is voluntary and confidential and will be used by the jury to more fairly consider these applications.

The Nova Scotia Department of Environment requires all food vendors at the show to have proper permits in place to participate. Halifax Crafters is responsible for acquiring a Temporary Event Food Establishment Permit which involves submitting the list of accepted food vendors to the department for approval. If you have questions about food safety regulations please contact the Department of Environment (902) 424-7773

Please note that in our new location we do not have access to the commercial kitchen. If you have questions about your setup at the show please contact us halifaxcrafters@gmail.com

Vendors selling hot food/ made-to-order/ lunch items will be located in the foyer. Please contact us for more information if needed.

Halifax Crafters Society will provide one space free of charge to a local non-profit community group. If you are interested in this opportunity please apply through the online application, and select the category “community group”

Table fees for the Spring and Winter markets are $190.00 for a 6’ wide space, with the option to include a 4’ table, 6’ table (included in the $190.00 fee), or vendors can opt out of the table if they have their own set-up or a set-up that doesn’t require a table. please note there will be a small additional fee for access to electricity.

Table fees must be paid via Paypal by the payment deadline. Accepted applicants will receive instructions on how to make payment.

With a discounted table (50% off), and six dedicated spaces, we hope to encourage new crafts people to apply to our market. You will have a 4 foot table space and no access to a power source as the designated spaces for this program are among the middle rows in the venue.

We will provide a small card indicating that you are part of the Fresh Catch program that will be displayed on your table through out the market.