2026 Emerging Craft Market Maker Portal
Scroll to review the contents of the portal or use the buttons below for quickly reference specific information.
Load-In Instructions & Booth Maps
Load-in is from 4 -7 PM on Friday, August 28th. Load-in instructions and booth map coming in early August.
Maker FAQs
Load-In Questions
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Yes. All makers need to load-in on Friday Evening. No exceptions.
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Consistent electricity is unfortunately not available for every booth. Electricity will only be provided to makers with products that require it (i.e. lamps). Other makers should plan to rely on battery-powered lighting or other equipment if they need to power anything in their booth.
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The Energy Innovation Center is an energy-efficient building that uses a lot of natural lighting. Since this will be our first time hosting a market there, we cannot speak from past event experience, but the building appears to be generally well lit with both natural and overhead lighting. You are welcome to visit the Energy Innovation Center website to view photos of the building’s interior.
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No, pipe-and-drape is not provided. Most makers bring their own backdrops, pipe-and-drape, shelving, etc. to separate their booths from their neighbor’s booth. Click here to see examples of past maker booths & displays.
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No. Due to height and space limitations at the Energy Innovation Center, tents and canopies are not permitted.
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No. For the Emerging Craft Market, Booths will only be side by side with other maker’s booth.
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Each maker's booth will include one table either 6 or 7 ft long plus one chair. If you require additional chairs, you must bring those yourself. You are also welcome to bring your own table instead of using one of the provided tables. You will be asked about your table and chair plans on the Maker Needs Form.
2026 Full Event Schedule
Friday, August 28
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Makers will be assigned a 30-minute arrival window for load-in arrival. Assigned load-in times will be provided in early August.
Saturday, August 29
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Makers must return to the Energy Innovation Center by 8:30 AM at the latest.
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This will be a more quiet shopping session with no music playing.
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This is the window for general shopping. Tickets are pay-what-you-can, and free tickets are available for those who need them. We stagger the shopper arrival times throughout the day in an effort to spread out the crowds and reduce parking and traffic.
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Makers must keep their products up at their booths until 6:00 PM. Detailed load-out instructions will be provided closer to the market.
Important Links
Handmade Arcade Maker Handbook
Includes the following information:
Inventory Planning & Pricing
Booth Display Ideas
Market Tips & Tricks
List of Items to Bring (PDF Page 8)
This form needs to be completed by Thursday, June 4 at 11:59 PM (EST).
Parking
Parking at the Energy Innovation Center is available but limited. There is a small parking lot in front of the Energy Innovation Center that is free. There is additional paid parking in a large lot across the street from the venue for approximately $6.25/day. There is also street parking on Bedford Avenue surrounding the venue.
Maker Meeting Zoom Links and Recordings
Emerging Craft Market Accepted Maker Meeting:
Click here to access the Accepted Maker Meeting Zoom Recording.
Click here to access the Accepted Maker Meeting presentation slides.
Emerging Craft Market Maker Panel:
The Emerging Craft Market Maker Panel is Tuesday, July 14 from 6:30-8 PM. Attendance is encouraged but the meeting recording will also be posted here for reference.
Virtual Accepted Maker Meeting Office Hours:
June 16 from 4-6 PM
August 3 from 12-2 PM
Raffle Donation Instructions
At each Handmade Arcade market, we rely on maker-donated products for our raffle, which serves as a fundraiser for Handmade Arcade. We are a nonprofit with a small team, so if you're able to donate an item, we REALLY appreciate it.
What to Donate: We are grateful for every donation and are especially encouraging feature-worthy items that really showcase your work.
How to Donate to the Raffle: Complete this short but very important form about your planned raffle donation before the market. This helps us send acknowledgement letters for your tax-deductible raffle donations and promote both your products and our raffle leading up to the market. This year, to build excitement and showcase your work, we’ll be highlighting individual raffle items and makers in advance on social media, email newsletters, and website, so early submissions are especially appreciated.
Please bring your raffle donation with you to the Emerging Craft Market on Friday, August 28, and we will collect items from you during load-in.
Social Media Toolkit
Every maker will receive a social media toolkit leading up to the market.
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