Tips for Applying to Indie Craft Parade
Artist applications open April 1! Here's how to put your best work forward.
Each year, our rotating jury reviews hundreds of applications and selects the work that will be part of Indie Craft Parade. All applications are reviewed anonymously, and work is evaluated on originality, quality, and how well it fits the vision of Indie Craft Parade: modern, handmade goods with a unique perspective.
Beyond the work itself, here’s what the jury is looking for:
Strong, high-quality photos
A cohesive aesthetic across all submitted images
Modern branding
For returning exhibitors: growth and progression from past years
We ask for 6 photos in the application. Here's how to make the most of them.
1. Photography Is Everything
Photos are the primary way the jury experiences your work. You don't need a professional photographer, but you do need images that are in focus, well-lit, and true to color. If photography isn't your strength, ask a friend with a good eye to help.
Here are our recommendations for strong photo submissions.
Show your product in context: styled in a setting that reflects your brand aesthetic
Clean and Simple: A well-lit shot on a white background that showcases one product
Get cozy! Show a close-up that highlights the detail and craftsmanship of your work
Show multiple products together to give a sense of your full range. FYI - Showing several products together in one photo is much better than a collaged image of multiple photos.
A photo of your process is great, but not required. We do not require a booth photo.
If you're shooting your images with a phone, apps like VSCO or Lightroom are make it easy to crop, adjust color, and more. The goal is to make your work look exactly as it does in person.
2. Details Matter
The jury notices the care that goes into an application. A description full of typos or photos that are duplicates or oriented incorrectly sends an unintentional message. Before you submit, re-read your description and double-check that your images are showing correctly.
That extra 2 minutes of attention signals that you take your work seriously.
3. Submit a Cohesive Body of Work
Your 6 photos should feel like they belong together. Even if you make a wide variety of products or work across multiple categories, look for ways to unify your images, like a consistent background or a shared color palette.
The jury isn't just evaluating individual pieces; they're evaluating your full brand aesthetic.
Ross Pottery
4. Branding Matters
For makers of consumable goods (candles, artisan food, body care, etc), your packaging and branding carry significant weight in the jury's decision. You don't need a big budget designer, but your branding should feel modern and intentional. If your packaging hasn't been updated in a few years, now's a good time to revisit it.
For fine artists or makers with highly original work, branding matters less because your work can speak for itself. But for anyone whose product is packaged, branding can be a meaningful differentiator.
Katilizz & Co
5. Show Your Growth (Returning Exhibitors)
If you've exhibited at Indie Craft Parade before, we are looking to see that your work has evolved. That doesn't mean everything needs to be new; it means that you’re continuing to refine, experiment, and push your craft forward. Don't resubmit the same photos from last year. Even subtle growth matters!
6. Be Original
Indie Craft Parade is a juried show specifically because we care about originality. The most competitive categories see a lot of applications, and often what stands out is work the jury hasn't seen before, or a fresh take on a traditional craft.
A Note on What We're Looking For
Indie Craft Parade exists to celebrate high-quality modern handmade work. We put equal weight on quality and on work that feels current and genuinely crafted.
Experience level is never a factor. Whether you've been making for 3 months or 30 years, we want to see what you make. Maybe you’re a student or someone starting a second or third career? What we're looking for is craft with a point of view.
We prioritize new makers in 2 ways:
- Our Emerging Artist section offers a lower fee for makers who are just starting out. Details for Emerging Artists are included on the application.
- Applications are presented anonymously to the jury. This means that the jury doesn’t see the applicant's name, or whether or not they have been part of Indie Craft Parade in the past. Our goal is to create as level of a playing field as possible!
Applications open April 1 at indiecraftparade.com/apply. We can't wait to see what you've been making!
