Craftcation 2026: Event Recap and Photos
It’s weird to think back to the first Craftcation in 2012 because at the time, I didn’t think of it as the first Craftcation. In my mind, it was just… Craftcation. I couldn’t even imagine there being another one because all I could think about was how we were going to pull off this one.
I had never even attended a conference before we created it, so I had no idea what a conference was “supposed” to look like. Really, Craftcation evolved from something I wished existed. A place where creative people could come together to learn, make things, share ideas, feel inspired, and feel like themselves. And I think it’s continued to evolve that way ever since.
What’s kind of wild is realizing how much Craftcation has evolved alongside my own life. When it started, I was single and building it with my then-business partner. Over the years, I’ve gone through just about every life change a person can go through- I got married, became a mom, moved hundreds of miles, experienced loss and heartbreak, and grew so much as a person in the process. Meanwhile, Craftcation kept growing too—from something that felt chaotic behind the scenes in those early years to something that now runs smoother than I ever could have imagined.
But beyond the logistics or the growth, the most incredible part is seeing the life Craftcation has taken on outside of the event itself.
I’ve watched it help people start businesses, grow businesses, find collaborators, creative confidence, lifelong friends, and community. One of my favorite things is when someone tells me, “This is the one place where I feel like I can fully be myself.” Hearing that never gets old.
And the community doesn’t just exist during the conference anymore. Attendees bring it home with them.
I got an email recently from two attendees organizing a Seattle Craftcation meetup. One was a friend of a friend who I’ve known since I was 13, and the other was someone I met through Craftcation. They would have never known each other if it weren’t for this weird little thing we created back in 2012. Seeing those parts of my life intersect—and seeing attendees continue building community long after the conference ends—felt really special.
Because yes, Craftcation might be a lot of people’s favorite week of the year. But what means just as much to me is seeing people carry that feeling home with them: the openness, the inclusivity, the permission to embrace their weirdness, try new things, and live a little more intentionally instead of just letting life happen to them.
And honestly, this year felt especially meaningful.
One of my favorite things every year is watching complete strangers become friends, veteran attendees welcome new people into their circles, and people push themselves outside their comfort zones. Seeing attendees try new things, show up fully as themselves, and embrace the “do it scared anyway” spirit we talked about in the opening speech felt especially emotional this year—and it’s the kind of thing that sticks with me long after the weekend ends.
That’s what Craftcation has become to me.
Not perfection. Not polish. Not just workshops or networking.
A place where people practice being brave together.
And for that, I’m endlessly grateful.
-Nicole S.
Welcome to Craftcation
This year, we turned the Ventura Beach Marriott into our own version of Dolly’s Desert Disco — inspired by Dolly Parton, desert road trips, disco balls, vintage motel energy, pink everything, paper mâché cactuses, rhinestones, fringe, and the general feeling of “What if a bunch of creative weirdos took over a hotel for five days and made it feel like the most fun roadside attraction you’ve ever stumbled into?”
We’ve included some photos below but you can check out the full gallery of photos from our amazing photographer Sylvana here.
Gift Bag
Attendees were greeted by Craftcation’s welcoming Crew members who handed out our incredible gift bags. Designed by me, Nicole, the bags featured a one-color retro-inspired design with our “In Craft We Trust” motto and were intentionally created to be embellished in our marketplace make & take.
The bags were overflowing with goods from our sponsors including: Avery, Beacon Adhesives, Blue Platypus, Snak Club, Creative Memories, edding, Fly By Jing, Jacquard Paints, kellofaplan, Knit Picks, Seascape Knit Trips, and Westcott,
Special thanks to our VIP bag sponsors: Curious Elixirs, for the delicious non-alcoholic drinks that made our presenter and ambassador bags even more amazing.
Craftcation Mezzanine & Sponsor Marketplace
The Craftcation mezzanine and sponsor area this year became a creative hangout spot all week long.
LeAnn, our Director of Operations, and I worked together to conceptualize, design, and install the sponsor booths and make-and-take spaces, and collaborating with her on these immersive little worlds is honestly one of my favorite parts of Craftcation.
Kellofaplan hosted a planner-making booth where attendees could customize planners, grab stickers, and learn more about organizing their creative lives and businesses.
eufyMake brought textured 3D printing machines and did demos as well as helped attendees create custom magnets, keychains, and more.
Grant from Grant House Sewing Co. was back again this year with sewing machine demos, helpful advice, and lots of support for attendees learning the machines.
One of the busiest spots all weekend was the Desert Darling Tote Lounge, where attendees customized their Craftcation tote bags with patches, heat transfers from Hot Dang Press, trims, rhinestones, and more. Oliso generously provided mini irons while Beacon Adhesives helped hold all the doodads and disco-inspired details together.
We also had an Artist Trading Card booth where attendees created tiny pieces of art to trade throughout the weekend — one of those simple little activities that ended up creating a lot of connection.
And once again, Erin from Young & Wild Balloon Co. completely brought the theme to life with her incredible balloon installations throughout the event. From giant cacti to western-inspired displays adorned with cowboy boots and disco details, her work added so much color, personality, and Dolly’s Desert Disco magic to the spaces.
Pop-Up Shop
I feel like I say this every year, but the Craftcation Pop-Up Shop really does keep getting better and better.
Our team worked nonstop to turn the space into the welcoming, colorful shop it became throughout the week. From merchandising and restocking to troubleshooting and helping customers, they put so much care into creating a space that truly highlighted the creativity of this community.
I’m so appreciative of everyone who helped make the Pop-Up Shop such a success this year. It’s always one of my favorite spaces at Craftcation because it feels like such a direct reflection of the talent and heart of this community.
Business Workshops and Panels
The Craftcation business workshops covered so many different parts of running a creative business — marketing, branding, pricing, sales, social media, productivity, wholesale, content creation, and more.
In addition to workshops and panels, we also offered Think Tanks and Office Hours, where attendees could get more personalized support through one-on-one and small group conversations with mentors, experts, and experienced business owners. Those sessions always end up creating some really meaningful conversations and practical breakthroughs for attendees.
Craft Workshops
The craft workshops are always such a huge part of the heart of Craftcation. Throughout the weekend, attendees learned everything from sewing, stained glass, and embroidery to printmaking, jewelry making, painting, paper arts, and so much more.
One of my favorite things about the workshop rooms is seeing complete beginners sitting next to experienced artists, all just excited to try something new, make something with their hands, and connect through creativity.
Workshops wouldn’t be possible without the generosity of our supply and craft workshop sponsors including Clover, edding, Creative Memories, Jacquard, Knit Picks, Avery, FTC Creative, and Jesmonite.
apothecary
ceramics & home
jewelry
needle arts and textiles
art, paint and paper
printmaking & dyeing
misc
Sewing Workshops
For the fifth consecutive year, our Sewing Annex featured three distinct sewing brands, each showcased in its own dedicated space. We were thrilled to host SVP Worldwide and their renowned brands Pfaff, Husqvarna Viking, and Singer, alongside local dealer Grant House Sewing Center. Attendees also enjoyed the luxury of an ironing station provided by our sponsor, Oliso. Thanks also to Common Thread Claremont for sponsoring fabric for the chubby tote workshop.
Special Events: Opening Ceremony
We kicked off Craftcation with our Opening Ceremony and Crafty Hour.
I opened the week with a personal speech about fear, creativity, bucket lists, and what it means to keep doing hard things before you feel fully ready. I shared about starting guitar lessons in mid-life, reconnecting with creativity purely for joy instead of productivity, and learning how to quiet the inner critic that tells so many of us not to even try. Then, in true “do it scared” fashion, I played an original song I wrote live on guitar for the everyone as a reminder that Craftcation isn’t about being perfect—it’s about showing up and doing it scared.
After the ceremony, attendees headed into our opening night Crafty Hour to make things, reconnect with friends, meet new people, and settle into the wonderfully welcoming energy that makes Craftcation feel so special from the very beginning.
Special Events: Bingo
This year, we introduced Bingo hosted by Monique Malcolm—and honestly, we had no idea how wildly popular it would become. The room was completely packed with enthusiastic attendees. Huge thank you to Monique for spearheading the event and helping bring so much fun and energy to the weekend.
Special Events: Iron Craft
Iron Craft was, as always, one of the wildest and most entertaining events of the weekend. Hosts Holly Marsh and Emily Benson created a truly hilarious experience filled with over-the-top energy, fierce speed crafting competition, and unforgettable performances—including Dolly Parton parody songs with Craftcation-themed lyrics that had the entire room laughing and singing along. The competition itself was incredibly impressive, with attendees somehow managing to create imaginative projects under pressure and against the clock.
Special Events: Dance Party
The dance party was such a fun way to start the conference on Thursday night. Attendee Natasha Robinson created an incredible “Sassy Saloon” photo op art showcase that completely transformed the space and quickly became the most photographed spot of the night.
It was so fun seeing attendees fully commit to the theme in their outfits and costumes—including our social media manager Lauren, who sewed her own pink Dolly Parton-inspired jumpsuit (and won the dance party costume contest).
Special Events: Fashion Show
The Craftcation Fashion Show is one of those events that gets me every single year. Hosted once again by the incredible Marisa Lynch and Monica Tetteh, the show was equal parts hilarious, heartfelt, supportive, and completely inspiring.
Attendees walked the runway in handmade garments and accessories that they created at Craftcation. One of my favorite parts is seeing the crowd absolutely lose it cheering for every single person who walks out. There’s something really emotional about watching someone step onto a runway wearing something they made with their own two hands while an entire room celebrates them for it.
Special Events: Wanderings
Wanderings was once again one of the most creative, chaotic, hilarious, and unforgettable nights of the weekend. Attendees transformed hotel rooms and spaces into immersive experiences filled with games, art, snacks, performances, surprises, and completely unhinged creativity in the absolute best way. Every year I’m blown away by the imagination, effort, humor, and heart that attendees pour into this event.
Thank you to all the wonderful Wanderings room hosts and to the winning room… Super Bloom Room.
- Cheryl Heller — COSTCO!
- Arletta Gustafson — Creative Refill Station
- Dari Litchman — Drop In Rally for Human Rights AND Wedding Booth!
- Ritee Sponsler — The Wandering Wandering
- LeAnn Foss — Dusneyland (not copyrighted)
- Natalie Keller — 10 Minute Birthday Party
- Vicky Herrera — Grow with the Flow
- Pam Hartman — Super Bloom Room
- Marceleit Johnson — Kissing the War Goodbye
- Lisa Okamoto Behar — Wanderings Waypoint
- Jared Lamb — Pixels & Perler Beads
Art Showcases
This was our third year featuring the Craftcation Art Showcases, and every year I’m more blown away by them. The showcases give attendees a chance to create immersive art installations and interactive pieces that highlight their creativity, talent, perspective, and imagination in such a unique way.
This year, nine artists created truly innovative, thoughtful, and fascinating exhibits throughout the conference. I’m always amazed by how much care, ingenuity, detail, and heart goes into these installations—and how much they add to the overall magic and experience of Craftcation.
Here are the incredible artists who created showcases:
- Emily Hay — So Lucky to Be Here!
- Brittany Sundgren — Together, We Shine
- Cassandra Gear — Dream Makin’ Hall of Fame
- Olivia Browning — Shimmery Sunset Landscape
- Natasha Robinson — Sassy Saloon
- Carolyn Tuchel — What Would Dolly Do?
- Ashleymarie Sey Lively — Butterfly Wings Mural
- Karen Swank-Fitch — Together, We Rise
- Lisa Okamoto Behar — Stitched in Community – Desert Disco Edition
Wellness Activities
As always, our meditation and yoga sessions with Kerry Burki—including yoga on the beach—were such a special and grounding part of the weekend. I love that these sessions give attendees permission to slow down for a minute, step away from the constant activity, and actually take a breath. There’s something really magical about watching people leave the hotel, head to the beach, feel the ocean air, move their bodies, and reconnect with themselves in the middle of such a busy and inspiring weekend.
Special Events: Closing Ceremony
By Saturday morning, I always start getting emotional. People usually ask me on Sunday, “Are you sad it’s over?” but honestly, Saturday is the day I really feel it. That’s the day it hits me that there’s only one full day left together before everyone heads back home.
There’s also something bittersweet about knowing Craftcation can’t last forever. And somehow, even while we’re closing things out, I’m already looking forward to the next one.
At this year’s Closing Ceremony, we celebrated so many of the people who helped make the weekend special. We gave away prizes from sponsors including RYOBI rotary tools, Oliso irons, and Curious Elixirs.
This year’s Ambassador of the Year was Arletta Gustafson, who has truly stepped into her role as a welcoming, supportive, and enthusiastic presence within the Craftcation community. Of course, it wouldn’t feel complete mentioning Arletta without also mentioning her service dog Cora, who unofficially earned the title of Ambassador Dog of the Year.
And speaking of ambassadors, a huge thank you to Lisa Okamoto Behar for doing such an incredible job leading our ambassador team this year.
Thank you!
As we wrapped up Craftcation 2026, I just kept thinking about how many people it takes to make something like this happen—and how lucky I am to get to create it alongside such incredible humans.
We had some major behind-the-scenes changes this year, and somehow things ran more smoothly than ever thanks to the care, passion, and dedication of our team. Putting on an event of this size—and one that people care so deeply about—isn’t easy. This isn’t just an event to us. There’s so much heart, care, and emotional investment woven into every part of it. I am endlessly grateful to this team for showing up the way they did- bravely stepping into new roles & responsibilities, trying new things, and creating a magical space for attendees to thrive.
A huge thank you to our presenters for so generously sharing your knowledge, creativity, talents, and stories with this community. Thank you to our sponsors and partners for believing in what we do and helping us continue creating this experience year after year. And thank you to ArtHouse & Co. for hosting meetups for our attendees in downtown Ventura and helping extend the Craftcation community beyond the hotel walls.
And of course, endless gratitude to our venue, the Ventura Beach Marriott—especially our incredible event manager Jason Belter, who somehow outdoes himself every single year making sure things run as smoothly and seamlessly as possible behind the scenes.
This event truly would not exist without our planning team, staff, and crew who pour so much care, energy, problem-solving, creativity, and heart into these five days.
LeAnn Foss continues to amaze me in every possible way. She has transformed how Craftcation operates behind the scenes and somehow manages to make the impossible feel doable. Beyond that, she embodies the welcoming, inclusive spirit of Craftcation so naturally and genuinely, and I honestly can’t imagine doing this without her.
Lauren Durr captures the heart of Craftcation so beautifully while helping keep our community connected before, during, and after the event. Her work is thoughtful, intentional, and full of care.
Brittany Stump joined the team this year and immediately felt like part of the family. She jumped into every challenge with creativity, initiative, and such a positive attitude.
Lisa Okamoto Behar helps keep the heart of Craftcation beating year-round through our online communities and ambassador program. She shows up for people with so much generosity, thoughtfulness, and care.
Huge love to Briana Taylor and Rachael Brogdon for creating such a warm, welcoming, and beautifully merchandised Pop-Up Shop experience this year.
Mary Ann Ballestero is truly the Craftcation auntie. Whether she’s helping with registration, gift bags, or taking care of attendees and staff behind the scenes, she makes everyone feel supported and at home.
Jared Lamb somehow keeps all of the AV, music, tech, and production moving smoothly all weekend long while also bringing so much fun and energy to the event.
We’re so grateful to have Sylvana Uribe back capturing Craftcation so honestly and beautifully through her photography.
Janet McGraw stepped into one of the most complex roles at Craftcation with so much thoughtfulness, care, and attention to detail. Watching her thrive this year was incredible.
First-timer to both Craftcation and the team, Juvee was the ultimate jack-of-all-trades, jumping in wherever he was needed with a positive attitude and creative spirit.
To our entire Craftcation crew, presenters, volunteers, ambassadors, families, and friends—thank you for helping bring this event to life.
And finally, to our attendees: thank you for believing in this event, for taking this time for yourselves, and for showing up for your creativity. You are the heart of Craftcation. Watching you make friends, try new things, support each other, and fully embrace who you are is the reason we do all of this in the first place.
I love you all.
— Nicole
WILL WE SEE YOU AT CRAFTCATION 2027?
