Market Ready: Our Top 5 Tips to Wow Market Juries

How to Put Your Best Work Forward and Rock Your Next Market Application!

We just opened up our Handmade Holiday Market applications and thought now would be a great time to share our fave tips for showing off your fab handmade products in the application process!

Applying for a handmade market can be exciting, but let’s be honest, it can also be a little intimidating. We get it (we’ve both been rejected from our fair share of markets)! As both makers and market organizers, we’ve seen hundreds (ok…thousands) of maker applications over the past 9 years, and we know first hand what grabs the jury’s attention and helps a maker get a “YES!” instead of a “maybe next time”.

Whether it’s your first market or you’re a seasoned pro looking to change things up, these five tips will help you put your best work forward and make your application (and handmade business) truly sparkle!

1. Submit Great Photos

Outside of making fabulous handmade goods, this is the NUMBER ONE factor that will determine whether or not you receive a “maybe” or a “YES!”.

When a jury has only a few seconds to fall in love with your work, great product photography is your best friend. Bright, natural lighting, a clean background (think: not your kitchen floor at night), and sharp focus on your handmade goods help show off all of the hard work you’ve poured into your handmade biz. Bonus points if the photo feels like you aka your aesthetic, vibe and brand.

Great photos not only help the jury see your work clearly, but they also give market organizers a sneak peek of how eye-catching your products might look on market day AND help us develop marketing materials without having to dig through your online presence to find a decent photo. This helps us share your gorgeous work with our community!

Yes, you can see the product, but it definitely doesn’t elevate the piece or showcase its beautiful colours. The second image highlights what the product might look like in a makers display or a buyers home. The colours are bright with clear focus - definitely a winner!

2. Check and Double Check

First impressions matter, and your application is your first hello.

Take the time to review your form before hitting submit. Is everything filled out? Did you include the required links and photos? Are there any typos that could be distracting? Even small spelling errors can feel a little messy and cause problems later on even if you are accepted. I can’t tell you all how many times a makers email, website link or even their business name was spelled incorrectly which led to a series of emails and extra work that is (I hate to admit) very annoying and will definitely stick with us for future market applications.

A clean, complete application reflects your professionalism and respect for the process, and it makes the jury’s job (and the organizers) a whole lot easier.

3. Keep It Cohesive

You don’t need to be a minimalist with a limited colour palette (unless that’s your vibe!), but a strong sense of style and brand goes a long way.

When your products share a cohesive look (whether through colour, materials, subject matter, or branding) it helps the jury imagine your booth and whether or not it will fit into the market. Cohesion also creates trust for shoppers, who are more likely to engage with a display that feels thoughtful, intentional and professional.

Artist Johanna Westby’s work is far from monochromatic and yet it still showcases a level of cohesion that is professional and eye catching. From the display to the branding, price tags and even her chosen outfit for the day, Johanna clearly puts thought into the full shoppers experience.

4. Do Your Homework

Every market is a little different—different customers, vibes, organizers and expectations.

Before you apply, take time to learn about the market you’re submitting to. Check out past vendors, scroll through event photos, and read the market’s website or socials. What kind of makers are typically selected? Who shops there? Does your brand feel like a good fit for that crowd? For example, if you’re a maker who hand sews boho children’s clothing, you wouldn’t necessarily be a good fit for a horror themed Halloween market right?!

In my experience, I once applied to and was accepted into a Comic Con style event in Toronto. I invest a lot of time and money into this event because they have thousands of shoppers…but it turns out my product was NOT the right fit for their younger audience and I didn’t make even $100 across 3 days! That was a hard lesson, but I never made that mistake again and always research events before applying.

Juries will notice when you clearly understand the event, and it increases your chances of not just being accepted but also having a really successful market day because YOUR target audience will be there.

5. Update Your Online Presence

Once a jury is enticed by your application and gorgeous photo, guess what we often do next? We check out your social media or website (we understand some folks do not have these set up and so encourage you to invest some time in at least having a small social media presence!).

When checking out your online presence, we’re usually looking to get another look at your work, your process, and really your overall vibe. So make sure what we find is current and reflects your best work! Take a few minutes to update your bio, refresh your photos, and post some recent products or behind-the-scenes moments. Thoughtful copywriting and a cohesive feed tell a fuller brand story than an application can on its own.

It doesn’t have to be perfect—it just has to feel like you.

Check out One More Bite Bakery & Rural Root’s Apothecary’s social media feeds. They both showcase beautiful photos of their work, share behind the scenes peeks and showcase their individual vibes. Fantastic work by great makers!

Wrapping Up

Applying to handmade markets doesn’t have to be stressful and neither does taking your own product photos (stay tuned for a fun new launch related to this!).

Think of applying for a market as an opportunity to show the world (and the jury!) what makes your work special and why you love making it! With a little bit of prep, a few great photos, and a clear story behind your brand, you’re already head of the game.

Our Handmade Holiday Market Applications are OPEN NOW and we can't wait to see all of your gorgeous goodies. So pop over to the information page here and apply today!

See you at the market! ✨