Frequently Asked Questions

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General Faqs

Participant Faqs

General Faqs

Who is this event for?

Indie Craft Parade is for independent artisans and anyone interested in purchasing handcrafted goods. Indie Craft Parade will feature the best handmade art in the region, and all local crafters and artisans are encouraged to submit their work for consideration. We invite the public to attend this festival and enjoy high quality crafts, local food, and getting to know the artists in their community.

Where is this event being held?

Indie Craft Parade is being held annually at the historic Huguenot Mill in downtown Greenville, SC.

The mill is located at 101 W. Broad Street, next to the Peace Center. For a map, click here.

When is this event being held?

The third annual Indie Craft Parade will be held September 6-8, 2013.

What is the VIP Gala?

Indie Craft Parade kicks off Friday night with a special event for a limited number of ticket holders. The gala includes live music, complimentary food and drink, and features a relaxed, uncrowded shopping atmosphere, and amazing giveaways. Tickets are $25 each and go on sale the month prior to the event.

Where can I park?

Within a few blocks of the Huguenot Mill there are several parking garages and lots with more than 6500 parking spaces, as well as on-street parking. All are within walking distance. For a map, click here. The following locations typically offer free parking in the weekends and evenings:

  • River Street Lot
  • W. Washington Street Deck
  • Richardson Street Garage
  • Augusta Street

Is the Huguenot Mill handicapped accessible?

Yes! There is a ramp at the main entrance and an elevator inside.

What can I expect to see?

At Indie Craft Parade, you'll find the best handcrafted goods in the following categories: 2D Fine Art (prints and originals) / 3D Fine Art (ceramic, glass, wood, metal) / Fiber Art (felted, knitted, crocheted, woven) / To Wear (jewelry, clothing, purses, hair accessories) / Paper Goods (stationary, handmade books, paper crafts) / Everything Else (toys, pet accessories, home goods, garden). There will also be live music and a selection of local food on site, so come ready to have a good time!

Is there a cost to attend?

There is a cost for the Friday night gala, but Saturday and Sunday are free admission all day. So bring the whole family!

Are credit cards accepted?

Maybe. Some vendors may have the ability to accept credit cards or checks, however you should be prepared to pay cash for most of the items you purchase.

Is there an ATM if I forget my cash?

Yes, there will be an ATM on site.

Can I volunteer to help?

Absolutely! Contact us at info@indiecraftparade to find out more.

Will you ever move to a larger venue?

We're very happy with the Huguenot Mill as our venue. At this time there are no larger event spaces available that would meet our needs and fit our aesthetic vision. Depending on the turnout, you may have to wait in line to enter. However we do our best to keep the line moving quickly and aim to have everyone in within 10 minutes.

Who is behind this event?

Indie Craft Parade is directed and organized by Elizabeth Ramos and Erin Godbey with the help of numerous volunteers. Elizabeth and Erin are both independent crafters who enjoy quality handmade art. They wanted to share this passion with their community and promote both experienced and new artisans, so they started Indie Craft Parade. Want to see more of what they’re up to? Read Elizabeth’s blog here and Erin’s blog here.

Participant Faqs

Who can participate?

Anyone from the Southeast who designs or makes high-quality goods. Indie Craft Parade focuses on local handmade items, so if you sell antiques or consignment clothing, this isn't the right venue for you. But if you remake vintage aprons into avant-garde couch pillows, then you've got the right place! To maintain our regional focus, we will only be accepting applications from artists who live the Southeast, which is classified as the following states: Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky and Virginia.

What types of crafts will you accept?

For a list of categories, see here. In order to ensure that Indie Craft Parade features the best work in the area, our jury will review all applications and choose the best submissions for the event. Artists will be chosen according to the quality, innovation and uniqueness of their work.

What if I’ve just started my business?

No problem! At Indie Craft Parade, years of experience isn’t relevant. The most important factor is the quality of your work. So if you create the most amazing handmade goods, it doesn’t matter if you’ve been doing it for 3 years or 3 months! Plus, exhibiting at Indie Craft Parade is a great way to boost your business and gain exposure.

How much does it cost to exhibit? How do I send in payment?

Both full-size (8 ft. table) and half-size (4 ft. table) booths are available for an exhibition fee of $95 and $65, respectively.

How do I send in payment?

Payment can be made through Paypal (you can pay via credit card or Paypal account).

What is the money from my exhibition fee used for?

Your exhibition fee pays for a small part of the location cost, a table, linens, and a chair. Wireless internet and easy access to electricity are included for all participants.

Can I share a booth with another business?

Sorry, no. Because we offer half-size booths, we do not permit sharing. This enables us to design the exhibition layout in a fashion that is both aesthetically pleasing and organized.

Why can’t I bring my own table and linens?

All artisans that participate in Indie Craft Parade are required to use the table and linens provided. This allows us to create an exhibition space that is clean and cohesive, which is a great backdrop for your funky crafts. The floor-length linens are essential for hiding extra inventory and clutter. However, we do encourage you to have an engaging booth display, and you are welcome to bring any extra items necessary, including a table covering for the top of your table.

What if something happens and I can’t make it? Will I get my money back?

Since your money will be spent to host the big day, we won’t be able to guarantee a refund. However, we will have a waiting list of participants that weren’t able to make it into the first round, so depending on how much notice you give, we should be able secure a replacement for your spot.

Will I get time to set-up or tear down?

Of course! Due to the limited loading space at Huguenot Mill, we will assign you a specific time slot to unload on Friday, September 6, making sure that you have adequate time to set up before the event opens. On Sunday, the event closes at 5 pm, and we are asking that everyone be out by 7:30 pm.

What does the space look like?

Photos of the different rooms and the exterior/interior of the building can be viewed here. Check our Flickr group for more event photos and booth displays!

What are my responsibilities for helping to get the word out?

If you have a website, we’ll ask you to mention Indie Craft Parade. You can also download an Indie Craft Parade banner to put on your website here. We’ll mail you a stack of about 30-50 postcards and ask you to mail them to your own mailing list or place them around your town where shoppers might find them. Thanks to our generous sponsors, we have an aggressive advertising campaign planned, but word-of-mouth is still the best marketing around. So tell your friend, your sister-in-law, and your dentist to come see you at Indie Craft Parade!

What about collecting sales tax or needing a business license?

Anytime you sell something to the public, the state of South Carolina requires you to have a state tax ID number and requires you to collect sales tax. Since there won’t be anyone collecting tax at the event, we advise you to include it in your retail price so that you aren’t losing this money in the end. If you operate a full-time business, you should already have the necessary license. If you don’t operate a full-time business, you can obtain a special retail license specifically for selling at craft shows for $20 here.You must bring a copy of your SC retail license, whether permanent or temporary. One year, the Department of Revenue did come and check licenses, so be prepared.