The Craftcation Community Meetups
Info & Application
Community Meetups are attendee-led gatherings designed to help people connect outside of workshops and create smaller pockets of community within the larger Craftcation experience.
They can be centered around shared identities, hobbies, creative interests, locations, lifestyles, favorite brands, activities, or just a fun idea you think other attendees would enjoy.
Want to organize a meetup for introverts? True crime lovers? Early morning beach walks? Neurodivergent creatives? Sticker collectors? Quiet crafting? People who just really love tacos? Go for it.
Some meetups might be thoughtful and discussion-based, while others are casual hangouts, mini adventures, or wonderfully niche little gatherings — there’s no “right” way to do it, just an opportunity to help people connect and find one another.
EXAMPLE COMMUNITY MEETUP IDEAS
Identity-Based Meetups
Queer & Crafty
Spoonies Meetup
The Jens
BIPOC Creatives Meetup
Introverts Meetup
Regional Meetups
Bay Area Creatives
OC & LA Meetup
East Coast Attendees
Midwest Makers
Pacific Northwest Meetup
International/Abroad Attendees
Shared Interests
Nooworks Lovers
True Crime Enthusiasts
Craft Workshop Teachers Meetup
Small Business Owners
Body Inclusive Sewists
Activity-Based Meetups
Superbuzzy Field Trip
Ventiki Meetup
Taco Tour
Thrift Store Tour
Quiet Crafting Hangout
Beach Walk & Coffee
COMMUNITY MEETUP DEADLINES
APPLICATIONS OPEN:
JULY 1, 2026
APPLICATIONS CLOSE:
FEBRUARY 8, 2027
NOTIFICATIONS SENT:
WITHIN 2 WEEKS
COMMUNITY MEETUP FAQS
Community Meetups are casual attendee-led gatherings designed to help people connect around shared interests, identities, hobbies, activities, creative niches, or fun ideas outside of workshops and formal programming.
They’re hosted by fellow attendees, free and optional for registered Craftcation attendees, and meant to create smaller pockets of connection within the larger Craftcation experience.
We especially love meetup ideas that:
- Encourage connection and conversation
- Help attendees find community
- Create welcoming spaces
- Celebrate shared interests and identities
- Add fun, creativity, spontaneity, or silliness to the week
Thoughtful, quirky, inclusive, low-pressure, interactive, and community-centered ideas are all encouraged.
Meetups do not need to be craft-related. Creative community is about more than crafting, so meetup ideas can center around hobbies, identities, food, books, music, business, wellness, favorite brands, exploring Ventura, or simply meeting new people.
Community Meetups can happen in one of two ways:
Meetups in The Nook
The Nook is a casual open gathering space near Craftcation registration/check-in designed specifically for Community Meetups and connection.
If you’d like to host your meetup in The Nook, we’ll provide designated meetup time slots throughout the conference that you can sign up for when you apply.
Meetups Around the Hotel or Ventura
You’re also welcome to organize your meetup at another location of your choosing — at the hotel or around Ventura.
If you choose your own location, you’ll also choose your own meetup time.
You’ll be responsible for securing your offsite location. You don’t need to provide transportation for attendees but you can offer ride share options if you want.
Nope. These are not workshops or classes. Meetups are meant to be simple, casual, and low-pressure. You do not need to teach a skill, provide supplies, or create a formal activity unless you want to.
As a meetup host, you’ll:
- Choose a meetup topic or idea
- Write a short description for the schedule/program
- Show up for your meetup
- Help attendees feel welcome
- Facilitate basic conversation or structure if needed
You do not need to be an expert, presenter, entertainer, or extrovert to host a meetup.
Meetups are reviewed based on scheduling, space limitations, inclusivity, and overall fit within the Craftcation experience.
SUBMIT YOUR MEETUP APPLICATION
When applications are open, you’ll be able to apply below.