General Information
Who is the Charm City Craft Mafia?
The Charm City Craft Mafia is composed of 10 independent craft business owners who live in Baltimore and the surrounding area: Jen of Yummy & Company, Kacey of Found Studio, Gary of Urban Assemblage, Val of Bowerbox Press, Annie of Annie Howe Papercuts, Whitney of Almanac Industries, Tamara of Block Party Press, Priya of Priya Means Love, Jen of JennyJen42 and Monique of NikdaPooh. Visit our members page to get to know us better!
What does the Craft Mafia do?
First and foremost, the Craft Mafia organizes and hosts two juried craft shows each year: Pile of Craft in the spring, and Holiday Heap in December! We also promote arts-related events throughout the city, act as a resource for new handmade craft businesses, and occasionally offer workshops on business matters or crafting techniques.
How can I keep up-to-date with your shows, workshops, and other news and offerings?
Following our social media is the best way to keep informed. We post all of our application deadlines and show dates on Instagram and Facebook. We also share other awesome events and craft related news there. If you aren’t on Facebook or Instagram, you can sign up for our mailing list at the bottom of the page and you’ll receive information about show applications as well as other news right in your inbox!
How do I become a member of the Craft Mafia?
The Charm City Craft Mafia is not currently accepting new members. However, we encourage everyone to apply to our shows and participate in Baltimore’s robust local craft economy!
When will you be accepting new members?
We only accept new members when a current member retires from the group. We can’t always predict when that will be, so if you think you might be interested in joining us in the future, send us an email about yourself and your business so that we may keep you in mind as a candidate.
I want to volunteer at Pile of Craft or Holiday Heap! Where do I sign up?
Our volunteers help keep our shows running smoothly! Volunteer opportunities include delivering vendor lunches, manning vendor and Early Bird check-in, distributing posters and postcards in the weeks leading up to the show, and assisting with show set-up and cleanup. And they get some pretty sweet perks to boot! Let us know how you would like to help by emailing charmcitycraftmafia@gmail.com
I want to sponsor the Charm City Craft Mafia shows! How do I get started?
We have sponsorship packages ranging from $100-$200. Just email us at charmcitycraftmafia@gmail.com to receive our complete sponsor information packet. Visit our Sponsor page to review what perks are included at each level.
Information for Shoppers
Where is the show?
Our next show, Holiday Heap 2023, will be held at 2640 Space in Baltimore on December 9, 2023. Get all the info on the show here!
Our workshop and pop-up shop venues will vary, so be sure to follow us on social media or sign up for our mailing list at the bottom of the page to keep up-to-date with those!
Is there an entrance fee?
No, Pile of Craft, Holiday Heap, and Last Stop are free for all shoppers! Only our Early Bird hour is ticketed and tickets must be bought in advance. Other events, such as our Tiny Workshop series, are also ticketed events.
Is your event kid-friendly?
Yes! Please be courteous with strollers and be sure not to block other shoppers from navigating through walkways and entrances/exits.
Can I bring my dog?
No.
How do I get Early Bird tickets for Holiday Heap?
Early Bird tickets always sell out in advance and are not available for sale at the door.
Is vaccination required to attend Holiday Heap, and is masking required?
We are not requiring vaccination to attend the show this year, and masking is preferred but not required. Why are we encouraging masking? The show is often packed, and we think it’s the responsible thing to do to keep our community safe! But we’re also thinking about our vendors, many of whom make most of their annual income right around the holidays and for whom getting sick during the holiday season can be financially devastating. So we’re encouraging masking up to protect our vendors and our community in general! For more information on our show policies and covid safety, click here.
Are there bathrooms?
Yes, there are indoor toilets at 2640 Space.
Will there be food?
Yes — we plan to have a food truck, coffee truck, and baked goods outside. We’re encouraging masking indoors, so please enjoy your treats outdoors!
Where should I park?
There is plenty of free parking in the surrounding neighborhoods. The earlier you come to shop, the more likely you are to get parking space close to the venue!
Information for Vendors
How do I apply to be a vendor at one of your events?
Simply fill out our online application! You can find the link to this form on the Apply page, or in our newsletter announcing open applications. Photos of your best work and a non-refundable application fee are required to apply to the show.
When will your applications for Pile of Craft/Holiday Heap be open?
Our applications open roughly four months before the date of the show; August for Holiday Heap, and February for Pile of Craft. We announce open applications across all our social media and in our newsletter, so sign up or follow us today to keep an eye out!
Who can apply to Pile of Craft/Holiday Heap? What kind of vendors are you looking for?
We look for the highest quality, hand-crafted work across all categories of art-related media. Our categories include ceramics, jewelry, hand-sewn clothing, stationery and paper goods, bath and body products, 3D and 2D art, housewares, woodworking, small-batch packaged edible goods, screen printed clothing and accessories, and plush toys. We do not accept applicants selling vintage or imported goods, or any resale items. We do not accept applications from charities or other non-merchandise organizations wishing to promote their services or upcoming events; that is what our sponsorship packages are for!
When is the application deadline?
Our applications close roughly 2 months before the date of the show. Deadlines will always be posted on the Apply page of our website.
When will I be notified that I was or was not accepted?
You will be notified by email 2-3 weeks after applications close.
What is the jurying process?
Each Craft Mafia member independently assigns a score to each applicant using a points-based system. Your combined score from all members determines your acceptance into the show.
How much does it cost to be in your show?
Our application fee is $15. If you are accepted, the booth fee is $150
How many spots are available?
Approximately 51 craft vendors are present at both Pile of Craft and Holiday Heap. Other events may accommodate greater or fewer vendors depending on the venue.
Can I apply for two spaces?
No. Due to the limited amount of space available in the venue, vendors may only apply for one 8’x4’ booth space.
I was accepted but I can no longer do the show! What is the cancellation policy?
We offer a 100% booth fee refund up to 60 days before the show date, and a 50% refund up to 30 days before the show date. Your $15 application fee is non-refundable.
How are spaces assigned? How can I request a specific space?
We do our best to space out vendors from the same category (for example, we try not to put two jewelers right next to each other), and to have each category represented in both the front room and back room of the venue. Need to be close to the bathrooms for medical reasons? Want to be close to an outlet so that shoppers aren’t tripping over wires from your display? We will do our best to accommodate your needs if you send a request to charmcitycraftmafia@gmail.com, but we cannot guarantee any vendor a specific spot.
What is your inclement weather policy?
Pile of Craft and Holiday Heap take place indoors, so the show will go on rain or shine or snow!
If I’m not accepted, is there a wait list for vendors?
Yes. After all applications are juried you will be notified by email if you were accepted, denied, or waitlisted for our show.
Can I share a booth with another vendor?
No. Our vendor booth spaces are 8’x4’, just enough for a single vendor to fill.
Am I required to have insurance to participate in your shows?
Yes, if you are accepted we require that you send us proof of insurance in advance of the show. The Charm City Craft Mafia carries a general liability insurance policy, but this does not cover any damage caused to your merchandise or displays during participation at our shows. You can find single-event general liability insurance policies for artists for less than $40! Check out ACT Insurance!
What’s the parking situation?
There is plenty of street parking in the neighborhood around Space 2640, and most of it is free on weekends. The earlier you arrive to unload, the more likely you are to get a parking space close to the church!
What do I need to bring? What materials are provided for me?
We provide 2 folding chairs and light snacks for each vendor. Please bring your own tables and other display materials, but be sure that your display fits into your allotted 8’x4’ booth space without inconveniencing your neighbors. Do NOT bring a pop-up tent; our booth spaces are not large enough to accommodate them. While there are windows in the venue and we hang some lighting, the rooms (especially the larger front room in Space 2640) can still be quite dim even in the daytime. Please bring your own lighting equipment and extension cords if your display needs to be well-lit. You MUST bring a mat or carpeting to lay over your electrical cords if they lay in the shopper walkways. No electrical tape is allowed.
Do I have to collect Sales Tax? If I am not a Maryland resident, do I need to collect Maryland Sales Tax when I sell at your shows?
You are responsible for complying with Maryland state sale and use tax laws. If you are accepted into one of our shows, your name and business name will be submitted to the Comptroller of Maryland, who will issue to you, at no cost to yourself, a one-day Sales and Use Tax license, which you will receive in the mail in the month preceding the show. It is your responsibility to charge MD 6% sales tax on each sale you make, and to report your sales to the state of Maryland.
I didn’t get accepted into your show. What happened?
Unfortunately due to the very limited amount of space in the venue, we can only accept a small amount of applicants at each show. It doesn’t mean that you don’t have great work! It may simply mean that there were a lot of applicants in your category, so your competition was especially tough. It’s not unusual for a vendor to be accepted one year and not the next, or for a vendor to be denied several shows in a row and then be accepted! We are always looking to mix up our vendor lineup to keep things fresh for our shoppers, so we hope you won’t be discouraged!