Success!

The Bloomington Handmade Market was a complete success!

With our handy counting clicker, which we borrowed from Mia's son, our final customer count was 1,002 people (not including children)! We received wonderful responses from both vendors and patrons. Many of our vendors made record sales, and most everyone who came took away some wonderful handmade goods!

We are planning to hold the next BHM in early May. If you'd like to be added to the mailing list, please send us an email at BloomingtonHandmadeMarket at Gmail.com

Thanks to all of the amazing vendors, our wonderful local sponsors, and everyone who came to support the handmade movement!

BHM is THIS WEEKEND!

We are so happy to finally say that the Bloomington Handmade Market will be held THIS Saturday! It will run from 10am-4pm and there will be 40 different vendors selling a wide array of wonderful handmade goods. This is going to be a great place to pick up unique gifts! There will not be an ATM on site, though there are at least 2 within a block or two. Some vendors will be accepting credit cards, but not all of them, so please bring lots of cash and your checkbook!

The event will be held in the auditorium of the Waldron Arts Center, located at 122 S. Walnut, which is on the corner of 4th and Walnut in downtown Bloomington. Free parking is available either on the street or at the parking garage located just across from the venue. If you are coming from out of town, you will see signs pointing you in the right direction.

Can't wait to see you there!

We got our first press!

We had a little interview with the Indiana Daily Student. You can read it here or below!

Market to feature homemade crafts
By Rick Bellovin | IDS
POSTED AT 10:25 PM ON Oct. 21, 2009

In an age where every type of material good imaginable is mass-produced, one local marketplace is seeking to be different.

Bloomington Handmade Market organizers describe it as Bloomington’s independent market for area artists to sell unique handmade crafts and goods.

What distinguishes these goods from their counterparts at any department store is the process by which they are made.

The do-it-yourself goods are handmade in homes or with small production processes, so there is no need for them to be sent away for mass-production.

Three local artists, Mia Beach, Nicole Wolfersberger and Sally Harless started the market in June 2008.

The artists were originally inspired by the crafts on display at the INDIEana Handicraft Exchange and wanted to bring the same types of homemade crafts, paintings and prints to the Bloomington area.

“There are many fairs in and around Bloomington that are geared toward more established and traditional artists,” Harless said. “We wanted to show the community just a small part of the nationwide contemporary craft movement.”

Since then, the Market has received attention and support from local do-it-yourself artists and craftsmen, along with various sponsors.

On Nov. 21, Bloomington Handmade Market will have its first show at the John Waldron Arts Center.

Artists had to apply for a limited number of spots in the show, and between 35 and 40 artists were picked to display their crafts.

Wolfersberger put out the call to artists in September and said she was surprised to see the exceeding number of people that applied.

“People really came out of the woodworks,” she said. “All the applications look great.”
The co-organizers said they have seen mostly local applicants but hope to see more from outside the state.

They plan to organize the shows twice a year – once around the holidays and once during the summer.

“It is a perfect place to not only buy unique, high-quality holiday gifts, but also to support local artists and the handmade movement,” Harless said.

Harless also said shoppers should expect a wide array of products.

“Our vendors make everything from upcycled, hand-bound journals, illustrated animal greeting cards, punk rock stained glass, sewn iPod sleeves, wooden jewelry, knitted hats and scarves, homemade bath products, silk screened shirts and ties, plush animals to hand-drawn coffee mugs,” Harless said.

There are also other outlets available for these types of crafts.

The Handmade Market in Chicago is a similar type of marketplace for do-it-yourself goods, and ETSY.com is a Web site where people can buy and sell handmade goods.
As for the Nov. 21 show, Wolfersberger said she’s excited.

“There is so much great stuff,” she said. “We are particularly excited about the new clothing items.”

The Bloomington Handmade Market is only one month away! The vendor list has finally been nailed down, and you can see a list of the artists and their links to the left. More updates soon!

Thank you to all of the amazing artists who applied for the Bloomington Handmade Market! We are reviewing applications and will post the vendor list soon!

It's the last day to get your applications in! We'll be accepting them until midnight tonight!

Somehow, our event has been advertised in the Herald Times, without any of us organizers contacting them. Some of the info is wrong, and people are apparently bringing applications to the Waldron. Neither the Waldron nor the Bloomington Area Arts Council are in charge of the event. It is being put on by 3 local artists, and we are only renting the Waldron Auditorium for the event. If you would like to apply, please EMAIL the applications to us at bloomingtonhandmademarket AT gmail DOT com. There are only 2 days left!

One week til applications are due!

Applications have been steadily coming our way and we're thrilled at the variety and quality of the work so far! It's not too late to get your own application in!

Since people were having trouble downloading our application, we've got it posted right here, along with the FAQ, for you to copy and paste into a text or word document.

As always, let us know if you have any questions! Can't wait to see what else you guys have up your collective sleeve.

Vendor Application Deadline is 2 weeks away!

Just in case you are having trouble downloading the application and FAQ, we are posting it below so that you can copy and paste it into email or as a Word document to send to us. Vendor applications are due Friday, September 18! Send them to bloomingtonhandmademarket@gmail.com

Application for the Bloomington Handmade Market

Your name (first and last):

Your business name:

Your telephone number:

Your mailing address:

Your email address:

Your primary business website (personal, etsy, myspace, flickr, blogspot, etc.):

A business and/or personal bio/description (3-5 sentences, in third person, and double-check spelling and grammar!) If you are accepted into the show, this will potentially be used in show promotions to represent you and your business:

What types of crafts are you interested in selling?

- Knit/crocheted Items

- Paper goods (cards, handmade books, etc.)

- Prints/photography

- Clothing

- Jewelry

- Plush

- Handbags

- Sewn Accessories

- Housewares

- Children’s Items

- Pet Items

- Bath Products

- Kits/Patterns

- Other (please specify below)

Requests to share booth space with another specific vendor (optional - see F.A.Q. for info on how to handle this.):

Requests to have a booth located next to another specific vendor (optional):

Will you need to rent (for an additional $10) a 6’ x 30” table?

_I need to rent a 6’ x 30” table

_I will be bringing my own setup

Will you be bringing your own chairs?

_Yes

_I need _ chair(s) (We can provide a max of 2 per booth at no additional cost)

Total amount you will be paying if accepted ($30 for vendor booth space, +$10 if you are renting a table from us:

_$30

_$40 ($30 + $10 table rental)

***Don’t forget to attach (please do not embed the images in the application document) 3-5 quality images of your products with this application when you send it back to us via email. Make sure you send images that represent you well. These will play a big part in whether you are accepted to the fair, and may also be used to represent you in promotions for the fair. Links to high-quality Flickr images are also acceptable.

FAQ

When and where is the Bloomington Handmade Market held?

• Saturday, November 21, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the John Waldron Center for the Arts (122 S. Walnut Street, Bloomington, Indiana)

Where do I park?

• There is a parking garage located across from the Waldron on 4th Street (free on Saturdays). Additionally there is limited free on-street parking available around the Waldron. If you are accepted into the market you will receive additional information about loading and unloading.

How can I be a vendor?

• We are accepting applications now via email for the show on November 21. Deadline for application submission is Friday, September 18. Absolutely no late or incomplete applications will be considered. You can download the instructions and application as a PDF or Word document. (Click FILE then “download file as”). Fill it out and email it back to us at bloomingtonhandmademarket [at] gmail [dot] com.

I don't live in Indiana. Can I apply to be a vendor?

• Yes! But you are responsible for checking with the Indiana Department of Revenue to make sure you obtain your Sales Tax permit and other relevant tax documents. www.in.gov/dor/index.htm.

Why is the market juried, and how do you decide who is included?

• The market is juried because of limited space, and because we want to showcase the best of contemporary art and craft in that space! We are looking for unique, contemporary handmade items that push the boundaries of what handmade arts and crafts can be. We consider all the applications carefully based on the images you submit and your own description of your work.

When and how will I know if my application was accepted?

• We will notify all applicants as regards acceptance into the market via email by Friday, September 25. Your payment ($30 plus $10 if you are renting a table from us) must be received within 2 weeks of acceptance or your spot will be given to the next person on the waiting list.

Is my booth fee refundable?

• Once you are made aware of your acceptance, you must submit your payment within two weeks. If payment is not received via PayPal (preferred) or check/money order by Friday, October 9 your spot will be immediately given to the next person on the waiting list.
• You may request a refund, minus a $10 processing fee, until November 6. No refunds will be given after November 6
• If you must cancel after November 6, you forfeit your fee and your space in the fair. You may not fill your spot with another vendor. We will offer the space to the next vendor on our waiting list.

What do you use the booth fee for?

• Your booth fee of $30 covers an indoor 6' x 5' booth space, breakfast/lunch and your logo and link on our website.
• You are responsible for providing your own display items. You may bring your own tables and chairs, but your setup must fit strictly within the allotted 6' x 5' space.
• If you are unable or do not wish to bring your own table and chairs, you may rent them from us for an additional $10. The $10 will cover a 6' table. If you do not have your own chairs we can provide 1-2 for your booth at no additional charge; please note how many chairs you will need on your application.

Can I share my booth space with a friend?

• Yes! But each person must submit a separate application with their own images and information. Please list one person as the main contact; this person will be the one responsible for submitting booth payment and for communicating information from the BHM to the other booth member(s).

Can I have two booth spaces for my business?

• Unfortunately, no. We are cramped for space as it is and would like to include as many vendors as possible!

Do I need a tax number or vendor's permit?

• Whenever money is exchanged for goods, it is important to have the right permits and keep good records. You can contact the Indiana Department of Revenue to obtain a Sales Tax Collection permit. These permits can be obtained online or by going to the office in person. The cost of the sales tax permit is $25 and is valid for two years.
• You are also responsible for registering your small business with the IRS and collecting sales tax for the goods you sell. When taxes are due you will have to pay both income tax and sales tax for your craft sales to the state of Indiana.
• Indiana Department of Revenue: 317-233-4015 or www.in.gov/dor/index.htm.
• IRS: 1-800-829-4933 or www.irs.gov.

What kinds of promotion do you do to plug the Bloomington Handmade Market?

• Online promotions on our blog, other websites, social networking sites, etc.
• Interviews with and features of participating artists on our blog.
• Posting flyers both locally and around the region.
• Cross-promotion.

I don't make anything, but I really like this idea. Can I still be involved?

• Yes! We need volunteers to do things like help with space set-up and tear-down, running errands, and general miscellany. Please contact us at bloomingtonhandmademarket [at] gmail [dot] com if you are interested in helping out.

Who ARE you people?

• Mia Beach (www.mia-beach.com)

• Sally Harless (www.sadlyharmless.com)

• Nicole Wolfersberger (http://redtarts.blogspot.com)

Applications

There is a little over 2 weeks left to get your applications in!

If you are having trouble downloading or viewing the application, please send us an email and we will email the application and FAQ to you.

Email us at bloomingtonhandmademarket AT gmail DOT com

Facebook and Myspace

Hello!
We now have both Facebook and MySpace pages, so if you are on either or both of those sites, be our friend!

Bloomington Handmade Market on Facebook

www.myspace.com/bloomingtonhandmademarket

CALL FOR VENDORS

Application now available!

If you are interested in participating in the Bloomington Handmade Market, please download the application here as a .doc file or .pdf.

FAQ available here: .doc or .pdf

Please email bloomingtonhandmademarket [at] gmail [dot] com if you have any further questions!

We are looking for artists!

Vendor application will be posted soon!

The Bloomington Handmade Market is set for November 21, 2009.
Please check back to this blog for more details, or email BloomingtonHandmadeMarket@gmail.com with questions.