CRAFTED 2020, November 6-8
Call for Submissions
Deadline to apply: October 1, 2020
Since 2015, CRAFTED has been Winnipeg’s premier holiday sale of contemporary craft, drawing 3400-4000 visitors and approximately $300,000 in sales annually.
CRAFTED 2020 will bring the same commitment to originality, excellence, and sophistication to a new online platform. Supporters and lovers of fine, handmade goods will enjoy a beautiful, safe, and easy to navigate online shopping experience.
CRAFTED 2020 online will help craft artists access vital income during these lean times and allow you to connect with a large audience that is as passionate about craft as you are.
And now, the details…
DATE
November 6-8, 2020
LOCATION
Online via a dedicated website
ELIGIBLE WORK
Submissions of original work in any craft-based medium welcome. Work may be primarily functional, decorative, or conceptual. Acceptable media include ceramics, glass, mixed media, wood, fibre/textiles, metals, jewellery, paper/books, stone, etc. Work that is primarily 2-D (painting, photography) and consumables (candles, food, cosmetics, etc.) are not eligible at this time.
SELECTION PROCESS
A jury of peers and other professionals with expertise in a variety of craft media will be convened to review all applications. Works that showcase excellence in technique, originality, innovation, and aesthetic will be given priority. Achieving a balance of media and a mix of return and new vendors will be secondary considerations.
PROMOTION
For consistent messaging and to widen the promotional reach, artists will be provided with materials to publicize the event through your own contacts and social media channels. It is understood and agreed by the participating craft artists that images and biographical information submitted with this application may be used for promotional purposes.
HOW TO APPLY
Please submit the following via Google Forms here.
(If you don’t already have a Google account, you will be prompted to create one.)
- You will be asked to provide your name, address, phone number, email address, website, social media handles, and media category (ceramics, fibre, glass, metals, mixed media, paper, wood, or stone)
- In a single Word or PDF document, please provide:
- A) an image list including the following details: File name, titles, media, and retail prices of your work (eg. Wgoblet1.jpg, wine goblet, wood fired porcelain, $45 each)
B) 100-word artist bio
- Up to six JPEG images of your work (300 dpi, 10 x 10” approx is ideal; max 10 MB file size). Please photograph work against a white background with no harsh shadows.
- One JPEG image of you with your work or at work (inspirational craft portrait)
COST (after acceptance into CRAFTED)
MCC members
$50 registration fee plus 12.5% commission on net sales
Click here to become an MCC member
Non-MCC members
$80 registration fee plus 12.5% commission on net sales
FOLLOW UP
Applicants will be notified of selection by October 7, 2020.
Registration fee must be received by October 12, 2020 to confirm your spot.
Questions: Please contact [email protected]
FAQs
I’ve never seen an online sale before. How will it work?
CRAFTED 2020 will live on a dedicated website. Think of it a bit like a department store. Each craftsperson will have a dedicated “shop” within the store. Each shop will have an identical format featuring work by one artist. Shoppers can enter a shop by clicking on a thumbnail image or the artist’s name on the home page. Images and descriptions of the work will be viewable by visitors to each shop. Shoppers can move between different shops, adding items to their cart as they go. They can check out when they are done browsing and pay for all their items at once using a credit card or Paypal.
Who photographs and uploads artwork to my shop?
Artists will photograph and upload all of their items to their online shop using our vendor management system. We will provide clear instructions for how this works and help you if any issues arise. Artists will manage their own items and orders. If you’ve used a platform like Etsy, you’ll be fine! We’ll be using Shopify for this event. You will have approx. 4 weeks to upload your work before the site goes live on November 6 at noon.
Is there a limit to the number of pieces I can have in my shop? How many images of each piece can I display?
While there is no official limit on the number of pieces in your shop, a minimum of 10 and maximum of 50 is recommended. You will need at least one good image of each piece, and you can post up to 10 images per item.
How do buyers get the work they’ve purchased?
Artists must mail/ship, drop off, or offer pickup to customers directly from your own studios within 5 business days of the sale closing. Your prices must include shipping fees as shipping will be free on the website. Shipping is Canada-wide. The majority of orders will come from Winnipeg. Artists will get email notifications when you sell an item including customer email and mailing addresses, etc.
How do I get paid for the sales I make?
Payout from your sales will be made by cheque approximately 21 days after the sale. A PDF record of all sales will be provided. A 12.5% commission will be deducted from your final net sales total.
How will the sale be promoted?
The successful promotion of an event like CRAFTED, whether online or in person, is a responsibility that the organizing committee and the artist-vendors must share 50/50. Surveys of past CRAFTED visitors indicate that they heard about the sale as follows: 45% from the artists, 20% from media (WFP, CBC, CTV, etc.), 30% MCC/WAG promotion, %5 other.
CRAFTED 2020 artists will be provided with personalized promotional materials that you can use to talk to your extended community about CRAFTED 2020. In the lead up to the event, you will receive regular emails offering suggestions and encouragement regarding creative ways to publicize the sale.
CRAFTED 2020 organizers will use the MCC and WAG communications networks (social media, website, enewsletters) to the greatest extent possible to raise awareness of the sale. We will also reach out to traditional media outlets for interviews and purchase paid advertising online.
What’s my job when the sale is live Nov 6-8?
While CRAFTED 2020 is live, your job is promotion. You’ll continue the conversation you’ve already started with your customer base using your social media accounts or via email. You can post about specific items you have available, mention when an item has sold out, and post about other vendors whose work you’re excited about. You will receive an email every time you make a sale over the weekend, so you can pack your orders as they come in as well.
CRAFTED 2020 is being brought to life by Manitoba Craft Council, Winnipeg Art Gallery, Northwest Territories Arts, and Nunavut Arts and Crafts Association in collaboration with Royal Bison Art Fair.
