Wife is a crafter

[Arbud]

My wife and I are going to move to the Villages permanently next June. She is finishing off her last year as a teacher.
We have a house waiting for us and have had some things upgraded to our liking.
Anyway, pretty familiar with goings on down there having spent months here a couple weeks there the past 3 years,
So my wife has a successful cottage industry craft business here in the Baltimore area.
She only does shows from late September through mid December. Resting today after one yesterday.
She specializes in fall, Thanksgiving and Christmas wreathes, table settings, wall hangings, etc.
We are aware of Markets of Marion, and she wants to do a Mt Dora show.
Is anyone aware of some different shows where she can show off here handmade items.
It is a side hustle for her but a lucrative one in the right venue. Not flea markets or yard sales. We cart her bins around in the extended cab of my truck. We even some times have to fill up or Jaguar which we have named the multi purpose work jag.
Would appreciate any fall and winter suggestions for next year. Bud

[Taltarzac725]

Probably a great place to get ideas.

https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/villages-florida-general-discussion-73/craft-groups-80956/

My wife and I are going to move to the Villages permanently next June. She is finishing off her last year as a teacher.
We have a house waiting for us and have had some things upgraded to our liking.
Anyway, pretty familiar with goings on down there having spent months here a couple weeks there the past 3 years,
So my wife has a successful cottage industry craft business here in the Baltimore area.
She only does shows from late September through mid December. Resting today after one yesterday.
She specializes in fall, Thanksgiving and Christmas wreathes, table settings, wall hangings, etc.
We are aware of Markets of Marion, and she wants to do a Mt Dora show.
Is anyone aware of some different shows where she can show off here handmade items.
It is a side hustle for her but a lucrative one in the right venue. Not flea markets or yard sales. We cart her bins around in the extended cab of my truck. We even some times have to fill up or Jaguar which we have named the multi purpose work jag.
Would appreciate any fall and winter suggestions for next year. Bud

[Garywt]

There are a number of craft fairs in the town squares every year. We went to one last weekend in Spanish Springs.

[Oldragbagger]

There are amazing craft fairs almost every weekend in the fall in the various rec centers. I am a crafter as well (leather) and have been checking them out for next year. There are some amazing quality crafts and lots of shoppers.

[Bogie Shooter]

My wife and I are going to move to the Villages permanently next June. She is finishing off her last year as a teacher.
We have a house waiting for us and have had some things upgraded to our liking.
Anyway, pretty familiar with goings on down there having spent months here a couple weeks there the past 3 years,
So my wife has a successful cottage industry craft business here in the Baltimore area.
She only does shows from late September through mid December. Resting today after one yesterday.
She specializes in fall, Thanksgiving and Christmas wreathes, table settings, wall hangings, etc.
We are aware of Markets of Marion, and she wants to do a Mt Dora show.
Is anyone aware of some different shows where she can show off here handmade items.
It is a side hustle for her but a lucrative one in the right venue. Not flea markets or yard sales. We cart her bins around in the extended cab of my truck. We even some times have to fill up or Jaguar which we have named the multi purpose work jag.
Would appreciate any fall and winter suggestions for next year. Bud

Here is a list of all the clubs.....

https://www.districtgov.org/images/documents/Clubs-Listing.pdf

More.....

Arts & Crafts Show - The Villages Entertainment (https://www.thevillagesentertainment.com/arts-crafts-show-2/)

[asianthree]

Crafting is a little different in TV, than any other place I have been. TV has hundreds if not 1,000 or so of crafters. There is serious competition here.

The Villages itself has craft shows every year, at 3 indoor locations per date. Each show has 100 tables per location. It is a lottery to get in, some seem to get picked every show, some never get picked. For every 300 that gets in there are more than a hundred plus that didn’t.

Then you have clubs that have craft shows, one can be a member of the club, and sometimes the club opens up their show space to fill tables. Wait list is ongoing, and can be years before you get to a show.

There are also outdoor shows, that you provide a tent, and apply to get a spot.

Also outside villages there are many craft shows, one just has to dig. Mt Dora is hard to get into but can be doable.

Out of all the club craft shows, and TV’s, joining a private club may be your best shot. Don’t get discouraged. Good Luck

[LuvtheVillages]

There are a number of craft fairs in the town squares every year. We went to one last weekend in Spanish Springs.

The craft fairs at the town squares are run by an outside company. I looked into them once, and found the table rental to be over $250. Plus, you had to have your own tent. And the selection is juried, so you might pay an application fee and still not get in.

[Remembergoldenrule]

Have you thought of Facebook marketplace or Nextdoor apps?

[bowlingal]

I'm surprised after spending so much time here, that you don't know about the craft shows in the rec centers.

[Gobragh]

Florida Fairs and Festivals, Craft Shows, Art Fairs, Events (https://www.fairsandfestivals.net/states/FL/)

Hope this helps

[Barbscats]

American Craft Vendors runs most shows. 954-472-3755. Shows are juried and you must apply for approval. Cost can be $250-$400 per show. Local shows are done by clubs and are at rec centers

[CastleGreenArt]

join the website wheretheshowsare.com search by location and date, every single show in FL is listed there. If you pay the membership you'll have an access to applications, etc.

[BuzandBonnie]

Welcome to The Villages. Years ago we were seasonal crafters in Dover DE. During the pandemic we focused in on selling on Etsy and EBay. Although we visit many shows our energy level does not warrant doing shows. Most of the big shows here are higher end than we produce. Should you have a more homespun product I’d check out the shows in Ocala or Citrus County. They appeal to all ages and get big crowds. Good luck!