Craft Show Glossary: Terms Every Beginner Should Know

New to craft shows? The lingo can feel like a foreign language. This glossary defines the most common terms you'll encounter as a shopper, vendor, or organizer.

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A

Anchor Vendor — A well-known, established vendor whose reputation draws shoppers to a show. Organizers often prioritize anchor vendors because they help build credibility and foot traffic.

Application Fee — See Jury Fee.

Artist — In the craft show world, often used interchangeably with "vendor," though some shows distinguish between fine artists (painters, sculptors) and craft vendors (jewelry makers, soap makers, etc.).

B

Body of Work — The complete collection of products or art a vendor produces and sells. Jurors evaluate a vendor's body of work during the jury process.

Booth — The physical space a vendor rents at a show, typically 10×10 feet. The vendor sets up their display, signage, and inventory within this space.

Booth Fee — The amount a vendor pays the organizer to participate in the show. Fees range from $25 (small community shows) to $500+ (large juried events).

Buy/Sell — Products purchased wholesale and resold without value added by the vendor. Most craft shows prohibit buy/sell items.

C

Canopy / Tent — A portable overhead shelter used at outdoor shows. Standard craft show tents are 10×10 feet. Weights are required at many outdoor events.

Corner Booth — A booth space located at the end of a row, with two open sides instead of one. Often commands a premium price.

Consignment — An arrangement where a vendor leaves products with a shop or gallery; the shop keeps a percentage of sales. Different from a craft show booth but sometimes confused with it.

D

Day-of Setup — The window of time on show day when vendors arrange their booth. Separate from load-in if the show is multi-day.

Direct Sales — Selling directly to the end customer, which is the primary model at craft shows. No middleman.

Display — The way a vendor arranges their products in their booth to attract attention and make shopping easy.

E

Early-Bird Application — Submitting a vendor application before the standard deadline, sometimes offering a discount or priority placement.

Exhibitor — Another word for vendor or artist participating in a show.

F

Fine Art — Original works of art (painting, sculpture, photography, printmaking) as opposed to handmade craft items. Many shows cater specifically to fine art, others to craft, and some to both.

Food Vendor — A vendor selling consumable food or beverages. Most shows that allow food vendors require proof of a food handler's permit or cottage food license.

G

Gallery-Style Display — A booth layout where items are hung on walls or displayed at eye level, mimicking the feel of an art gallery.

Gross Sales — Total sales before expenses (booth fee, materials, travel) are deducted.

H

Handmade Rule — A policy requiring that all items sold at a show be made by the vendor. The most common rule at juried shows.

I

Indoor Show — An event held inside a building (convention center, school, church). Protects vendors and shoppers from weather.

Indie Market — A casual term for a craft show with a hip, urban aesthetic. Often focuses on contemporary design, zines, stickers, and alternative art.

J

Juried Show — A show where applicants submit photos and product descriptions to be reviewed and selected by a panel (the jury). Not everyone who applies is accepted.

Jury — The panel of people who review vendor applications and decide who is accepted into a juried show.

Jury Fee — A non-refundable fee paid when submitting a vendor application. Covers the cost of the jury process. You pay this even if you are not accepted.

L

Load-In — The scheduled time vendors use to bring their products and displays into the venue before the show opens. Opposite of load-out.

Load-Out — The scheduled time after the show closes when vendors pack up and remove their materials from the venue.

M

Maker — A broad term for someone who creates handmade goods. Interchangeable with artist, crafter, or vendor.

Market — Often used interchangeably with "craft show." Farmers markets, holiday markets, and artisan markets are all variations.

N

Net Sales — Gross sales minus all expenses (booth fee, materials, travel, credit card processing fees).

O

Open Show — A show that accepts all applicants on a first-come, first-served basis, with no jury process. Also called non-juried.

Organizer — The person or organization responsible for planning, promoting, and running a craft show.

Outdoor Show — An event held outside, often in a park, parking lot, or downtown street. Weather is a major factor for both vendors and shoppers.

P

Pop-Up — A short-term retail event, often with a curated selection of vendors. Similar to a craft show but may have a more temporary or spontaneous feel.

Prompt Payment — Some shows require vendors to pay their booth fee immediately upon acceptance, within 48–72 hours, or lose their spot.

R

Retail Price — The price customers pay. At craft shows, vendors sell at retail unless doing a wholesale transaction with a shop buyer.

S

Setup Time — The window before the show opens when vendors arrange their booth. Also called load-in.

Show Director — The organizer or lead coordinator of a craft show.

T

Table Fee — At smaller shows, vendors may pay per table rather than per 10×10 booth space.

Tent Weights — Heavy bags or blocks that anchor a canopy to the ground at outdoor shows to prevent it from blowing over. Many outdoor shows require them.

V

Vendor — Anyone who pays to sell their products at a craft show.

Vendor Packet — The set of documents an organizer sends to accepted vendors, typically including setup instructions, show rules, parking information, and load-in times.

W

Wait List — A list of applicants who were not initially accepted but may be offered a spot if an accepted vendor cancels.

Wholesale — Selling products in bulk to a retailer at a reduced price (typically 50% of retail). Separate from the direct-to-customer model at craft shows, but relevant if a shop buyer attends your booth.