The Best Creative Conference for Handmade Sellers

Updated: 7/20/2020

I know you love your business and you enjoy the work you do. But imagine taking a looong weekend (Weds-Sun) off away from the day-to-day order fulfilling, production, social media posting, etc. Not just that, imagine you go on an adventure to southern California for your long weekend. But this isn’t just a vacation. It’s a work-cation, a really fun work-cation full of other creative people, craft classes, business workshops, delicious fish tacos, sunshine and palm trees!

Sounds too good to be true? Well it’s real and it’s amazing. I’ve been there 2 years in a row and it would be a real misfortune if I didn’t tell you ALL about it.

This event I’m talking about is called CRAFTCATION

and it is hands-down the coolest and most fun handmade business conference in existence.

So let me tell you all about it. You need to start preparing soon! Do whatever needs to be done to make it happen. You won’t regret it. You do not want to wait until next year or whenever you have tons of business success.

You want to go in 2021. This will help you take your business to the next level (or help you start a business)!

What is Craftcation? When is Craftcation 2021?

It’s an annual Business + Makers Conference in California. It’s a life-changing event over the course of 5 days featuring handmade industry professionals leading over 100+ hands-on DIY workshops and creative business classes.

Craftcation takes place April 7-11, 2021, in the adorable beach town of Ventura, CA just about an hour north of Los Angeles. Craftcation utilizes Ventura’s historic downtown buildings and businesses as well as the beach for special events like networking meet & greets, cocktail socials, a pop-up shop, yoga on the beach, as well as food and art tours.

Important Dates to know:

I think it’s important to note here that Craftcation sells out every year.

10/13/2020 – Early Bird Registration Opens
Tickets go on sale at a specific time and you’ll want to snag your ticket right away because they usually do a great deal for the first 50 people.
(Last year: The first 50 registrants get a sweet deal – $50 off! )

TBD Fall 2020 – Workshop descriptions & Schedule will be released!!

TBD – Last day for Early Bird Pricing

TBD – Regular Registration

TBD – Late Registration: Tickets available until 3/1 or until sold out

TBD – Registration for craft workshops (adrenaline rush extreme)

4/7/21 – Craftcation Day 1 (half day) Check in and Workshops begin in the afternoon on Wednesday!

4/8 – 4/10/21 – Craftcation Day 2, Day 3, Day 4

4/11/21 – Final Day of Craftcation (half day) workshops and classes wrap up in the early afternoon

4/12/21 – Begin the Countdown to Craftcation 2022

What you’ll walk away with:

After Craftcation you’ll feel renewed. You’ll feel full. Inspired. Motivated. Ready to get home and tackle big projects.

You’ll gain the clarity you need to take your next step.

You’ll walk away with new friends. new connections. new skills. new craft supplies. new hobbies.

What’s the Investment? How to make it happen

Early Bird registration (affiliate link) was about $500 in the past. There may be a discount on top of that for the first people to register!

How to attend on a budget

Be an Early Bird

I highly recommend you get your ticket during the Early Bird pricing. It’s the lowest at this time and like I mentioned, the conference has sold out many years in a row.

Start tracking flights now

Get on Google Flights and set up some price tracking – keep an eye out for a great deal on flights to LAX or Burbank.

Or if you’re not too far from CA, drive! I’m in Maryland so that is not really an appealing option for me!

Ride Sharing & Room Sharing

Once you get your ticket, you’ll be able to get into the attendee-only Facebook Group. In there you can make a post mentioning that you’re looking for a roommate. Lots of people split hotel rooms. I’ve shared a room both years I went and plan to again in 2021.

Also inside the group, attendees will also be posting looking for ride-sharing. Maybe you can find someone heading from LA or the airport to Ventura who is renting a car. My first year I rented a car and drove another attendee from the airport to Ventura – it was nice to have a buddy to chat with in the car ride. She was from Canada and let me try some of her unique Canadian snacks! And if you don’t ride-share, you can hop on the Amtrak from the airport to Ventura. It’s a nice ride.

Stay Off-Site

The event takes place at the Marriott, but even with the conference rate, those hotel rooms are a bit pricey. There are other options that can save you money but they are not quite as convenient.

My first year I stayed at the Comfort Inn. It’s awesome because it’s right across the street so it’s not hard to run across back to your room between sessions to drop stuff off.

My second year I stayed further away at the Best Western. The BW was nice but you probably want a car or bicycle (or roommate with a car 😏) to get back and forth. For my second year it would have been smart of me to stay at the Marriott since I was pumping milk between classes…. (#newmomlife) I could have run the milk up to the room instead of hauling a cooler around – but you probably don’t have that issue! haha

Other off site options – rent an Airbnb or Motel 6 (heard mixed reviews on Motel 6… so maybe not)

More…

Some other tips here – https://dearhandmadelife.com/how-to-attend-a-conference-on-a-budget/

See you in April in California!