What is the Detroit Urban Craft Fair?
The Detroit Urban Craft Fair (DUCF) is a two-day alternative craft fair held annually in the city of Detroit. Now in its nineteenth year, the 2024 fair is happy to be an in-person fair, featuring over 100 handmade crafters and indie artists. DUCF is a community market that encourages the interaction of maker and buyer, and it is a unique opportunity for shoppers to find one-of-a-kind items and meet the people who made them. Shoppers can see a preview of each vendor on the new DUCF website, and can access direct links to each vendor’s online shop and social media to shop virtually if preferred as well. Participating crafters have the chance to connect with a large, supportive audience, both online and in person.
The Detroit Urban Craft Fair’s mission is to elevate handmade goods as an alternative to mass-produced items, support and elevate small craft businesses by providing a place for them to sell during the busy holiday shopping season, and raise awareness of handmade craft.
When and where is it?
11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, December 7th, 2024
11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, December 8th, 2024
Masonic Temple
500 Temple Street
Detroit, MI 48201
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Admission is $5 on Saturday and Sunday
Children 12 and under are free after 1pm
Free Kid Crafty Corner with AR Workshop 1-5pm
Free Crafting for All Ages with POST 2-4pm
Who is putting it on?
DUCF was founded in 2005 and is run by Handmade Detroit, a women-owned business that works to promote the art and learning of craft, as well as selling opportunities for makers and craft shopping opportunities for Michigan shoppers. Past DUCF fairs have taken place at the Majestic Theater complex and the Fillmore Detroit. Our first event was held in August, 2006 with 50 handmade vendors.
Our audience and number of vendors have continued to grow over the years to better accommodate the blooming handmade scene. Past DUCFS also have incorporated and hosted community offerings including a local zine library, DIY fashion show and make and take stations.
Other fairs and workshops that Handmade Detroit has produced over the years include VLTNSMRKT/VMKT, Craft Revival, Handmade Detroit Holiday Market and Rethunk.
COVID policy
Handmade Detroit & Detroit Urban Craft Fair will be following all current health and COVID guidelines from Wayne County, the State of Michigan, and the Masonic Temple of Detroit during DUCF. As a vendor, sponsor, or shopper you will be required to as well.
Shopper FAQs
What kind of things will I find at Detroit Urban Craft Fair?
You will be able to find gifts for nearly anyone on your list! You’ll find handmade soaps & candles, knit and crocheted accessories, toys and games for kids, screen printed shirts and art, home goods and decor, perfumes & skincare, artisan foods, journals and calendars, clothing for all ages and jewelry. Expect to see a modern spin on traditional methods, and lots of unexpected and inspiring takes on art & craft, which will make your holiday presents so much more memorable for those you are shopping for!
Are the makers there?
We require all artists to be at DUCF and in their booths so you can meet them and learn more about their work and products from the makers themselves. We encourage you to slow down and take some time to get to know the creatives in DUCF!
Are these artists local?
We are proud to have the large majority of our makers from the state of Michigan, and we also feature a select number of crafters from other states across the country.
Is there handicapped access to DUCF?
DUCF is located several floors up in the Masonic Temple. There are elevators from the lobby of the Masonic up to our floor, but if you cannot go up the stairs outside to the main doors, you can go to the Masonic’s back parking lot and request to be taken up directly to our room via the freight elevator. This elevator is manually operated, and so we recommend calling ahead to request someone be ready to take you up. To call ahead or call when you arrive to the Masonic, call The Masonic desk at 313-638-2724 or call (313) 832-7100.
Where do I park?
There’s always a steady flow of street parking, and if you’re bringing friends along, consider carpooling or using Uber/Lyft for an even smoother journey. There are several parking lots and structures nearby as well, with prices varying based on what else is going on that day and at that time in the area.
You can also secure your parking spot in advance with Parkopedia, a convenient app that allows you to find and pre-pay for your parking, ensuring a hassle-free experience.
By prepaying, you not only save time but also save money. The closer we get to the event, parking prices can skyrocket, especially if there’s a game happening. So, it’s a smart move to check the date and time you plan to visit and secure your parking now to avoid any last-minute stress.
Learn more and reserve your spot here.
Can we get food & drinks there?
Yes! Delectabowl will be there with lots of options for you to buy yourself lunch and dinner, and the Masonic Temple will be serving drinks (NA and Alcohol) at their bar as well.
What’s up with DUCF Friday night not happening now?
We loved our DUCF opening night, but to make the weekend easier and more accessible for our makers and staff we have decided to not host our Friday night party going forward. Thank you for your support to those who enjoyed it over the years, we’ll see on Saturday & Sunday instead!
Applicants and vendors, our Friday night shoppers were the some of the most dedicated to shopping local and small, and we fully expect that DUCF attendance will not drop from this move. Our total weekend attendance did not shift when we spread it from 2 to 3 days years ago, and we expect the same as we condense DUCF back to 2 days.
Are strollers allowed?
Strollers are allowed, though it may be difficult to use at busier times of the fair. If you would like to use a stroller we recommend coming Saturday or Sunday evening.
Vendor FAQs
What kind of vendors can apply?
Vendors who make and sell their own original, handmade craft products or handmade supplies and pre-packaged craft food products are invited to apply. Part of what makes DUCF unique is the interaction between maker and buyer, so we require makers to be present on the sale days. Do not apply if you will not be able to attend the entire weekend.
Brick and mortar shops and indie craft collectives that wish to sell handmade items or handmade supplies made by artists who will not be present during the entire weekend will NOT be accepted.
We do NOT accept vendors of vintage resale, Tupperware-type products or of the mass-produced nature. Interested in seeing what kinds of vendors have sold at DUCF in the past? Take a look at last year’s fair!
A special note about food vendors: As part of our catering agreement, items for sale by craft food vendors must be intended for consumption off-site. Think pre-packaged spices, bakery items or coffee. You will not be allowed to serve fresh items or drinks for on-site consumption.
How do I apply?
Submit your completed application, 5 digital photos that best represent the work you plan to sell, an optional one photo of your typical booth to showcase how your work looks displayed, and your non-refundable $20 application fee using our online form by 11:59 PM on Wednesday September 25th, 2024.
To avoid lost or missing applications, please apply early. Our system is often overloaded on the final day of applications and it is possible that your application might go missing. Apply early to avoid errors.
Incomplete or unpaid applications will be automatically disqualified. No late applications will be accepted. No exceptions. Please do not e-mail us asking if you can apply late.
General Info
DUCF is a juried show. Vendors are selected based on quality, originality, uniqueness and their price point. We do our best to keep the fair fresh by rotating vendors, and our jurors are rotated each year as well. If you’ve applied before and didn’t get in, please feel encouraged to apply this year. Conversely, please understand that we cannot accept every vendor who applies, or has sold at a DUCF before.
A 6-foot table and 2 chairs are included in your fee. If you are selected for a corner booth, two 6-foot tables are included. Vendors may choose to set up without the table(s), but you must stay within the designated and assigned space, 6′ x 8′. No exceptions.
Vendors are allowed to split a booth. To apply with a partner, fill out the application once. Make sure to write the business names of all companies on the application. Include information and photos from all businesses. Then pick one person to be your e-mail and address contact. Submit one application fee.
Vendors who are not accepted are placed on a waiting list. We generally have a few cancellations each year.
Please notify us as soon as possible if you are unable to make the event. All fees – application and vendors – are non-refundable once they reach us.
Vendors will also have their own profile on the DUCF website, which will include:
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- Their company logo, photos, shop links, and contact info
- Room for a bio, story or sales pitch
Vendors will fill this information out and submit their own photos to the DUCF website for their profiles.
A $20, non-refundable application fee, is due with application submission. This fee pays our jury for the work they do reviewing and voting on each individual application. Applications that do not include a paid fee will be automatically disqualified and will not be judged.
What is the cost to vend?
$375, non-refundable vendor fee, which consists of one 6 x 8-foot space, one 6-foot table, and two chairs. For an additional $100 ($475 total), you may request a corner space, which consists of one 6 x 8-foot space, two 6-foot tables, and two chairs. Corner booths will be selected by our jury.
Payment information and deadlines for your booth fee are included in your acceptance notice.
Application fees, booth fees, sponsorship money and any other additional payments are non-refundable. No exceptions.
Important Dates
- Applications will be accepted from July 31st, 2024 until 11:59 PM, September 25th, 2024. No late applications. No exceptions.
- All applicants will be notified of status (acceptance, or waiting list) by October 9th, 2024. Details will be included in vendor acceptance letters.
Tips for Applying
It probably goes without saying, but each year we receive applications with missing or incomplete fields. Make sure to follow all directions and fill in all the fields, even if you have vended at DUCF before.
The jury process is highly competitive — the more information and description you can lend to your application, the stronger your chances of being accepted.
State exactly what you plan to sell – and include everything you will bring – on your application. For example, if you are a jewelry vendor, make sure to include all the types of jewelry you plan to bring (necklaces, bracelets, rings, etc.). You are only allowed to sell what was accepted in your application – and any items that were not included in your application may be removed from the event.
High-quality photos are your absolute best chance for acceptance. Because we receive over 300 applications each year, we do not have time to find photos of each applicant’s work on their web site. You must include five photos with your application.
Make sure your photos are in-focus and showcase the breadth of your products.
Finally, five images mean five single images. Do not bend the rules by providing photo collages of your work. Five images are enough for us to get an idea of your work without being overwhelmed.
We ♥ focused vendors. If, for example, you make soap and bath products, but sometimes make scarves, pick one to apply with and bring. We find that vendors who fill their tables with a focused idea and product line are more successful than those who hedge their bets and bring a few other crafts.
We love to see new work that will entice our returning shoppers. If you have vended at a DUCF before, make sure to tell us about your new work and/or products. Although it’s not necessary, taking and sending new photos of your work, especially of any new products, goes a long way.
If you’ve read the entire FAQs and cannot find an answer to your question, please contact vendors@detroiturbancraftfair.com.
Sponsorship Info
Each year, DUCF seeks independent sponsors for mutually-beneficial partnerships. Sponsors are an essential part of helping DUCF meet our goals and a great way for businesses to reach a unique audience. Past sponsors have included independent media and publishers, craft and handmade companies and local businesses and organizations.
We welcome inquiries for sponsorship and work hard to design mutually-beneficial programs for our sponsors. Please get in touch with the contact info below.
- FYI
- Round one deadline for sponsor commitment and payment: October 18, 2024. You must meet this deadline for inclusion on our poster.
- Round two deadlines for sponsor commitment and payment: November 1, 2024. This is the final date for 2024 sponsor commitment. You must meet this deadline for inclusion on our program map and web site.
Interested in learning more about sponsorship? Please contact carey@handmadedetroit.com with the subject line “sponsor request.”
Swag Bag Submission
Two hundred swag bags are given to attendees, vendors and volunteers each year. We are seeking high-quality inclusions and samples from independent crafters and handmade businesses for inclusion in the bags. In an effort to make the bags as green as possible, flyers and other paper-only swag, such as business cards or coupons, are not accepted.
Swag submissions must be received by December 4th, 2024.
To learn more about swag submissions or to sign up, please contact carey@handmadedetroit.com with the subject line “swag request.”
All media requests should be directed to Carey at media@detroiturbancraftfair.com.
Please make sure to read the entire FAQs before contacting us.
For vendor questions, please e-mail vendors@detroiturbancraftfair.com.
All other questions, please e-mail info@detroiturbancraftfair.com.