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  • Craftcation: Business + Makers Conference FAQ
    Business Tips

    Craftcation: Business + Makers Conference FAQ

    ByNicole Stevenson June 4, 2023

    Join us for five life-changing days in the charming seaside town of Ventura, CA for our annual makers and small business conference: Craftcation, our nationally-recognized conference for small business smarts, creative craft workshops and social gatherings.   WE BELIEVE IN……

    Read More Craftcation: Business + Makers Conference FAQContinue

  • Three tips to make the most out of a conference from Dear Handmade Life
    Business Tips

    Three Tips for a Life-Changing Craftcation Experience

    ByNicole Stevenson September 25, 2018September 25, 2018

    Editor’s Note: Attendees come from all over the world to attend Craftcation, our Makers and Small Business Conference because they want to either spend time crafting their hearts out, learning how to improve their business, or a little bit of…

    Read More Three Tips for a Life-Changing Craftcation ExperienceContinue

  • Craftcation Conference Manifesto
    Business Tips

    Craftcation is Coming and Our Manifesto

    ByNicole Stevenson September 20, 2018September 20, 2018

    Since the very beginning, Dear Handmade Life has always been about empowering and inspiring passionate creatives to craft awesome lives and businesses filled with purpose and intention. We believe in the makers, the dreamers, the doers and wanted to provide…

    Read More Craftcation is Coming and Our ManifestoContinue

  • How to attend a conference on a budget from Dear Handmade Life
    Business Tips

    Attending Craftcation on a Budget

    ByNicole Stevenson August 24, 2018February 14, 2023

    The word budget used to make me cringe! I thought being on a budget meant limiting my ability to have fun. And who wants that? But what I’ve learned as the CEO of my household of four humans, one dog…

    Read More Attending Craftcation on a BudgetContinue

  • Craftcation Conference
    Business Tips

    Craftcation: Business + Maker’s Conference 2018 Registration is Open

    ByNicole Stevenson October 5, 2017October 4, 2017

    If you’re a regular here at Dear Handmade Life then likely you already know about our annual: Craftcation Business and Makers Conference where you can join us for four life-changing days of making, meeting and learning at the beach in California and have…

    Read More Craftcation: Business + Maker’s Conference 2018 Registration is OpenContinue

  • Craftcation 2018 Ambassador Program
    Business Tips

    Craftcation 2018 Ambassador Program

    ByNicole Stevenson August 1, 2017August 1, 2017

    We’re excited to announce that applications for our Craftcation 2018 Ambassador Program are now open! Scroll to the bottom of the page to apply. Many of our previous Craftcation attendees already do an awesome job sharing about their experiences at…

    Read More Craftcation 2018 Ambassador ProgramContinue

  • How attending a creative conference changed my business and creativity from Dear Handmade Life
    Business Tips

    Craftcation Alumni Story: The Heart of Craftcation

    ByGuest Contributor November 11, 2016November 25, 2016

    Editor’s note: This is part of our series of stories from Craftcation Alumni. You can see the rest of the posts and more business tips here. We wanted to share some first-hand accounts of what Craftcation is like from our…

    Read More Craftcation Alumni Story: The Heart of CraftcationContinue

  • How attending a creative conference revolutionized my business and creativity from Dear Handmade Life
    Business Tips

    Craftcation Alumni Story: Why I’ll never miss out on Craftcation

    ByGuest Contributor October 28, 2016November 25, 2016

    Editor’s note: This is part of our series of stories from Craftcation Alumni. You can see the rest of the posts and more business tips here. We wanted to share some first-hand accounts of what Craftcation is like from our…

    Read More Craftcation Alumni Story: Why I’ll never miss out on CraftcationContinue

  • Craftcation Business and Makers Conference
    Business Tips

    Craftcation Business and Makers Conference Registration is Open

    ByNicole Stevenson October 13, 2016February 24, 2017

    If you’re a regular here at Dear Handmade Life then likely you already know about our once a year event: Craftcation Business and Makers Conference. If you’re new here, then welcome! Join us for four life-changing days of making, meeting and…

    Read More Craftcation Business and Makers Conference Registration is OpenContinue

  • Craftcation Ambassador Program
    Business Tips

    Craftcation Ambassador Program

    ByNicole Stevenson August 10, 2016July 6, 2017

    We’re super excited to announce a new addition to Craftcation for 2017, The Craftcation Ambassador Program. We’ve noticed that many of our previous attendees (and presenters) are already doing an awesome job at sharing about their experiences at Craftcation and…

    Read More Craftcation Ambassador ProgramContinue

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Meet Craftcation 2027 presenter Ayesha Santos! ✨ A Meet Craftcation 2027 presenter Ayesha Santos! ✨
Ayesha helps creative entrepreneurs build beautiful brands and websites that actually sell!

She’ll be teaching “How to Turn One-Time Buyers Into Customers Who Keep Coming Back” because finding new customers is great, but keeping them is even better!

We’ll be introducing our amazing 2027 presenters over the next few months, so stay tuned!

✂️ CRAFTCATION 2027
📍 Ventura, CA
📅 March 31 – April 4, 2027
🎟️ Comment TICKET to register or TOUR to see what five days of creativity + community by the beach are all about!
I hear people say all the time that Craftcation ch I hear people say all the time that Craftcation changed their life. That they found their people here. That they finally felt like they belonged.

I love hearing that. But I don’t think I realized until recently how much Craftcation did the same thing for me.

I grew up feeling other. I was the creative weirdo. I talked too much. I was into things the other kids weren’t. While everyone else seemed to know how to fit in, I was reading poetry, hanging out in cafés, smoking clove cigarettes and dreaming about getting the hell out of Orange County.

Then in high school, I found a group of girls who didn’t just accept my weirdness—they appreciated it. Almost 40 years later, they’re still some of my closest friends.

I’ve found other people along the way, but Craftcation gave me that feeling again.

This year I turned 50. Which came with A LOT of feelings, so naturally I gathered some people I love and went to fuck around in Las Vegas.

And almost everyone who came into my life because of Craftcation.

We laughed. We cried. We adventured. I watched people who never would have known each other become friends. And somewhere in the middle of it, I realized:

Without Craftcation, I wouldn’t be here with these people.

This thing we created to help creative people find community had given me one, too.

So many of my friendships, ideas, inspiration and favorite memories exist because Craftcation brought people into my life I might never have met otherwise.

And THAT is the magic I want everyone to experience.

It’s why we started Neighborhood Hangouts—FREE get-togethers happening in multiple cities on the same day. Because a few hours crafting at a café or meeting for drinks might not be a weekend in Vegas, but it might be where you meet someone you were supposed to know. (Info + RSVP at the link in bio!)

I think some of us will always feel a little other.

But when you find your people, being different doesn’t feel quite so lonely.

It feels like belonging. ❤️ Thank you @leannicorn @jarett_glodt_rocks @janetmcgraw @craftamoto  @rjsaylor for helping me ring in this b-day. 😘
HAVE YOU RSVP’D FOR A CRAFTCATION NEIGHBORHOOD HAN HAVE YOU RSVP’D FOR A CRAFTCATION NEIGHBORHOOD HANGOUT YET?

Our first-ever Neighborhood Hangouts are happening October 18th and we’d love to see you there!

📍 Oakland, CA @evenhoward 
📍 Orange, CA @hellonicolestevenson 
📍 Ventura, CA @arthouseandcompany 
📍 Fort Collins, CO @sew.your.adventure 
📍 Seattle, WA @uglybabyshop @jaceti 
📍 Westbury, NY @letscraft_org 
📍 Phoenix, AZ @sunshinecraftco 

They’re FREE, casual and open to everyone—you don’t have to be attending Craftcation (or have ever been!) to join us. Just come hang out, get crafty and meet some creative people in your area.

RSVP is required, so grab your spot now!

👉 Find your local Hangout + RSVP at the link in our bio or bit.ly/CCnhangout

Know someone crafty in one of these cities? Send this to them and make a date of it! ✂️🧶🎨
If you’ve been watching Craftcation from afar thin If you’ve been watching Craftcation from afar thinking, “I don’t know anyone,” “Am I crafty enough?” or “Is it weird to come alone?”—this one’s for you.

We talked to some Craftcation first-timers about what it was like to take the leap and come for the first time.

Spoiler: they loved it.

They left with new skills, new friends and that magical feeling of finding people who get you.

We hear “I wish I had come sooner” ALL. THE. TIME.

So come nervous. Come alone. Come not knowing what to expect. Just come.

✨ CRAFTCATION 2027
📅 March 31–April 4
📍 Ventura Beach Marriott
🎨 5 days of workshops, creative business classes, community, parties + a whole lot more
🎟️ Grab your ticket at the link in our bio!
We’re launching Craftcation Neighborhood Hangouts— We’re launching Craftcation Neighborhood Hangouts—FREE, casual get-togethers to get crafty + connect with creative people in your area!

Our first Hangouts are happening October 18th in:

📍 Oakland, CA
 - @evenhoward
📍 Orange, CA
 - @hellonicolestevenson
📍 Ventura, CA
 - @arthouseandcompany
📍 Fort Collins, CO
 - @sew.your.adventure
📍 Seattle, WA
 - @uglybabyshop & @jaceti
📍 Westbury, NY
 - @letscraft_org
📍 Phoenix, AZ - @sunshinecraftco

Bring a project, grab a drink, make something (or don’t!) and meet some new creative friends. You don’t have to be a Craftcation attendee—everyone is welcome, but RSVP is required!

👉 Find your Hangout + RSVP at the link in our bio or bit.ly/CCnhangout

Don’t see your city? Sign up to host a future Neighborhood Hangout in your area! ✂️🧶🎨
We definitely got a bigger boat! We added so much We definitely got a bigger boat!

We added so much to our community for year round and on-site during the conference! Hospitality team: the group that helps everyone feel seen and welcomed at Craftcation. Craftfirmations: our guide for how we treat ourselves, each other, resources and settings. Neighborhood hangs: your chance to host quarterly in person gatherings where you are and boosted by our team. Community meetups: at the conference meet ups around special interests, regions or topics. Community calendar: your’s and our place to share things we are doing or find interesting with our Craftcation folks. Discord: new tech for instant messaging and chatting both at the conference and away. Buddy program: matching up solo and first time attendees with a buddy so they have a friend before they attend.

That’s a whole cruise ship of community support and we can’t wait to see everyone one in March/April. If you are new to this crafty creative community, welcome take a peek around by commenting Tour, join the email list for invitations to crafty hours over zoom, we can’t wait to meet you.

#craftcation #crafter #creativeentrepreneurs
It’s not ONE day, it’s FIVE! It would have to be It’s not ONE day, it’s FIVE!

It would have to be to pack in all this magic!
Where else can you get hands on craft workshops, Business lectures and panels, Wellness and personal growth sessions and After Hours special events and parties. That’s a lot of &’s!

So what are you waiting for a knitting project wasn’t made in one afternoon and your ticket doesn’t have to be either. Register now and start a payment plan for Craftcation 2027!
Comment Ticket to get started.

#creativeentrepreneur #craft #makers #craftcation #craftersofinstagram
“Thank you for being a....” Even when everyone the “Thank you for being a....”
Even when everyone there loves crafting as much as you do, the walk into a room full of new people can bring out the shy in the most confident of Craftcationer.

That’s why the Buddy Program was built. We match you with a fellow attendee before you even arrive. Based on craft interests, location, goals, and personality (or you can let chaos pick for you, we don’t judge).

First-timers get paired with an alumni whenever possible, but this isn’t just for new attendees! No matter how many Craftcations you have been to, sign up and make a new connection.

#craftcation #creativeentrepreneur #craft #creativecommunity #community
Last year we introduced something new for instant Last year we introduced something new for instant communication and learning new things can be hard. 

Are you new to Discord? No worries, we now have a Welcome to Discord 101! We still love our FB group and Instagram but sometimes you need to talk to your crochet friends and get them to talk you out of frogging your sweater for a fourth time. 

Grab the app or the desktop version and your attendee hub for access to our private Craftcation Discord. Join your regional or special interest channel and let’s get chatting. 
#craftcation #makersofinstagram #smallbusinesssupport #makersgonnamake
Community calendar has entered the chat! We crea Community calendar has entered the chat! 

We created this calendar to make it easier for our Craftcation community to find each other, connect, get creative, and keep the magic of our  going year-round—wherever you are. 

Our hope is that this calendar helps make our community more accessible—giving you more ways to find your people, make things together, try something new, and stay connected beyond our events. Find it on our website under “get involved”, share an event or host one!

#Craftication #craft #make #diy #creativeentrepreneur

COPYRIGHT @ 2024 – CRAFTCATION CONFERENCE – ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS SITE USES AFFILIATE LINKS. WE DISCLOSE ALL SPONSORED POSTS BY NAMING THE SPONSOR IN THE POST.

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