Central Ohio’s Favorite
Makers Market
Not Your Mama’s Craft Market is a one-of-a-kind craft market with a loyal and enthusiastic base of shoppers. For the past 14+ years, many of our shoppers have done all of their gift shopping at our markets.
We accept only the best of the best midwest makers offering the finest-quality, trendy, and unique handmade goods. That passion for the creative community has made us one of the top 10 events in Columbus for the past several years.
Want to join our growing and passionate community? FIND OUR CURRENT LIVE APPLICATIONS BELOW
Maker Applications
FAQs
How can I apply to be a maker?
Applications open approximately three months before a market. Sign up for our mailing list to be notified when applications open.
What is Not You Mama's Craft Market's COVID-19 policy?
NYMCM and its partnering venues will be following all current social-distance safe-practice guidelines from the CDC and Ohio Department of Health with regards to COVID-19 at all of its markets. These health and safety policies are subject to change as the CDC and Ohio Department of Health make changes to their respective guidelines.
What criteria and qualifications do you look for in your applicants?
Our market is juried by select members of our staff and other individuals in the local makers scene, whose opinions and tastes we value and trust. Together we review the pool of applications handpick the artists and makers that are the best fit for NYMCM. We thoughtfully and carefully choose applicants based on a number of criteria, listed below. You can also check out our Instagram page to see what makers we have chosen in the past.
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- Your work is designed and made by hand. Please provide information in your application if your products aren’t entirely made by you or by hand.
- Your work overall is cohesive and consistent, and you provide clear examples for us to view.
- Your work is unique. If you are a returning vendor, we want to see how your work has progressed since last participating. We always want to offer our customers fresh ideas and items.
- The average price of your items typically ranges between $1-150 and reflect a good value/price ratio. Typically, you know what your work is worth!
- Your website and/or social media pages provide clean and clear photos that are cohesive with the quality of NYMCM and can be easily shared for media purposes.
- You demonstrate that you are good at following directions and reading provided information.
- If you are a pre-packaged edibles vendor, you offer unique packaging and flavors and have a well-designed booth. We expect artisanal food vendors to live up to the same level of integrity and quality with their products and displays as our other handmade participants.
How does the maker and vendor selection jury work?
The NYMCM jury consists of 5 members, each of whom is active in handmade small business. After the application period closes, application fee payments are confirmed. If the fee has not been paid by the due date, the application is considered incomplete and discarded. All paid applications are then sorted by genre and individually scored according to the criteria outlined below. The top scorers are compared within their genre and selected to join the markert. A number of vendors in each category are offered a spot on our waitlist as cancellations often happen for personal reasons.
How much are your vendor fees?
Each market has a slightly different vendor fee structure. Vendor fees will be listed in the application.
What does the vendor fee include?
Your fee covers venue costs, digital and print advertising, promotional materials including posters and other costs required to organize a Market. Makers will also be featured and tagged on our social media pages and website leading up to and during the market.
Are tables and chairs provided for makers and vendors? Is there anything else I need to bring?
Tables and chairs are not provided. Upon acceptance, vendors may be required to provide a barrier between neighboring vendor spaces. Barriers may be as simple as a clear vinyl shower curtain or a canvas/fabric backdrop. In addition, all vendors must supply a hand sanitizer in their space for customer use.
I was a NYMCM maker in the past. Does that mean I'm guaranteed a spot at the next market?
No. What makes NYMCM such a unique market is our desire to bring our customers the newest and most current trends in handmade every year. We also want to showcase the best that the Columbus, Ohio maker community has to offer.
To do this we need a vast variety of makers at each market, along with new merchandise. This is why we hold such a rigorous application process. We LOVE having return vendors, but they must undergo the same jury process as everyone else. We check to see what new products they are offering and also discuss what kind of maker they were in the past. Did they help share market info online? Were they easy to work with? Did they follow all of our rules and deadlines?
I applied in the past and was not accepted. Should I even try applying again?
Heck yes! As stated in the previous answer, we are always looking for new Makers. We have to turn down so many fantastic Makers simply due to space constraints at each market. This year there are twice the opportunities for Makers to be selected! Keep growing your skills and keep applying! We’d love to have you at one of our markets!
What if my business doesn't have a web page or social media accounts?
As much as we love to accommodate all makers, we highly depend on digital exposure for the all-around success of our markets. We do not require an expensive website or thousands of posts or followers from our makers, but we do require some sort of internet presence. This makes promoting, collecting promotion material, and communication much easier on our end. A simple Instagram or Facebook account or Etsy page is perfect! If you do not have an active online page, NYMCM may not be the right fit for you.
Do you allow direct sales businesses?
No, we do not allow direct sale businesses to be a vendor at Not Your Mama’s Craft Market. No exceptions will be made. If you pay the application fee and apply with a direct sales business, you will not be refunded.
Can makers share booths?
Booth sharing is accepted on a case by case basis. Please reach out to us by email at notyourmamascraftmarket@gmail.com if you’d like to share a booth space. Both makers must apply and be accepted in order to share a space.
If I'm chosen to be a NYMCM vendor, what is required of me?
- Watch your inbox! We try not to overload Makers on emails. When we do email you it is usually full of lots of important information. Please take the time to read these emails and file them to refer to later. It is very time consuming for us to respond to questions already addressed.
- Carefully read and make a plan to put our safety policies and procedures in place.
- Prepare your booth space. We are known for showcasing Makers with the most outstanding booth displays. Don’t get lost in the crowd by not preparing the look of your display early. Presentation is just as important as your products. We highly suggest making a tape outline of your booth dimensions on the floor and doing a mock up of your space. Remember YOU have to fit in the space too! No extra room outside of your booth is available for your display. All vendors must bring their own table and chairs. A floor-length table covering is required for all tables. Check out our Pinterest Board for ideas.
- Due to state mandated COVID-19 guidelines, vendors may be required to provide a barrier between neighboring vendor spaces. Barriers may be as simple as a clear vinyl shower curtain or a canvas/fabric backdrop. Vendors must supply a hand sanitizer inside their vendor space for customer use.
- Vendors will be given digital marketing tools for social media use. We require vendors to share these marketing materials across their social media accounts.
How do I prepare to be a maker or vendor at NYMCM?
FIRST, read over our COVID-19 Safety Policy.
Do your research! There are many great books, blogs and networks out there to help you move forward with your business. We would love to help each maker personally figure out how much product to make, how to set up their space, and how to price their items. Though, with over 100 makers and the 100s of hours we dedicate to putting on a market, unfortunately we cannot. We can, however, direct you to our Pinterest Page that has many resources for makers.
I’ve been accepted, but I forgot which booth size I applied for. Where can I find that information?
The easiest way to find your booth size is to refer to your acceptance email or PayPal invoice. You are also welcome to contact us, and we will respond as soon as we are able.
I haven't done many markets. How do I prepare?
Do your research! There are many great books, blogs and networks out there to help you move forward with your business. We would love to help each Maker personally figure out how much product to make, how to set up their space, and how to price their items but with over 100 Makers and 100s of hours it takes to put on a market, unfortunately we cannot. We can, however, direct you to our Pinterest Page that has many resources for Makers.
What if I was selected and can no longer make the market?
Contact us as soon as possible. You may refer to the market agreement that is attached to your Acceptance email for our cancellation policy.
Do you have a question that isn’t answered above? Reach out and we’ll do our best to answer it!
Not Your Mama’s
Craft Market
2026 Market Schedule
May 10, 2026
Celebrate Mother’s Day the fun way—shopping, sipping, and soaking up all the good energy. Our Mother’s Day Market takes over The Exchange with indoor + outdoor vendors, live tattoo artists, specialty coffee drinks, and mimosas flowing. Think curated makers, boutique finds, sweet treats, and just the right amount of indulgence.
Whether you’re treating Mom, celebrating a grandma, planning a girls’ day, or rolling deep with your favorite people, this market is all about connection, creativity, and a little sparkle. Come for the shopping, stay for the vibes—and make a day of it together.
11am – 3pm – TICKET REQUIRED
3pm to 5pm – FREE – NO TICKET REQUIRED
PURCHASE TICKETS HERE – COMING SOON
July 19, 2026
Our Hot Summer Market is popping up in the former Forever 21 space at Polaris Fashion Place Mall, a nostalgic, wide-open shopping dreamland reimagined for local love. This indoor, air-conditioned space will feature 90+ local creatives, curated boutiques, and vintage booths, making it easy (and fun) to find all the must-have pieces for your summer shenanigans around Cbus. Stay cool, take your time wandering, and soak in that familiar mall magic — now filled with one-of-a-kind finds and seriously good vibes.
11am to- 3pm – TICKET REQUIRED
3pm to 5pm – FREE – NO TICKET REQUIRED
PURCHASE TICKETS HERE – COMING SOON
Final Fridays May - Sept
Get ready to soak up the weekend vibes! We are beyond excited to introduce our NEW summer mini market series: Not Your Mama’s Little Golden Hour Market!
Picture this: you wrap up your work week, sip on a refreshing drink, and wander through a magical evening market bathed in the golden hour glow! With all your favorite local makers, bakers, vintage shops, and boutiques, it’s a dreamy escape you won’t want to miss!
Join us every final Friday of the month from May to September at Grandview’s hottest new food hall, The Little Grand Market! Indulge in mouthwatering food, groove to live music on the lawn, and soak in breathtaking views of the city skyline as the sun sets—talk about the perfect evening out!
October 2026
Crisp air, cozy vibes, and that fall feeling we all wait for. Our October Market is shaping up to be a can’t-miss autumn hang—packed with curated makers, boutiques, and vintage finds that feel perfectly spooky-cute, warm, and wonderful.
Think fall treats, seasonal sips, layers-on-layers fashion, and all the good energy of shopping small as the leaves start to turn. Whether you’re in your pumpkin era, spooky season era, or just here for the vibes, this one’s made for wandering, sipping, and finding something you didn’t know you needed.
Location: TBD
Date: TBD
Stay tuned—details dropping soon, and trust us… it’ll be worth the wait!
November 15, 2026
We’re bringing the holiday magic to Polaris Fashion Place for the very first time! Join us as Not Your Mama’s Craft Markettransforms the former Forever 21 space into a handmade holiday wonderland. Discover over 100 of the Midwest’s finest makers and artists, offering one-of-a-kind gifts and festive finds you won’t see anywhere else. Enjoy the nostalgic magic of mall shopping—now with a modern twist that supports local small businesses. With plenty of free parking, shopping has never been easier. Celebrate the season, shop small, and find something special for everyone on your list (including yourself!).
11am to 3pm – Ticketed
3pm to 5pm – Free Admission
November 22, 2026
You love our Dublin market and we’re thrilled to bring it back for year five! Join us at The Exchange in Dublin’s Bridge Park for a holiday shopping experience that goes way beyond the basics. With 90+ small creative businesses, indoor + outdoor vendors, live tattoos, mimosas, and specialty coffee drinks, this market is truly next-level.
Shop handmade and vintage finds, sip something festive, get inked if the mood strikes, and soak up the high-energy vibes all day long. Bring your pals and make a full day of it — Bridge Park is packed with restaurants, drinks, and things to explore once you’ve shopped your heart out.
Early shopping passes sell out fast, so we highly recommend grabbing tickets online ahead of time. You can also try your luck with any remaining tickets available at the door on market day.
Ticketed Entry Times:
11am – 12pm | Presale Only – Ticket Required
12pm – 3pm | Presale or Door – Ticket Required
3pm – 5pm | Free Admission – No Ticket Required
Five years strong and still bringing the vibes — come celebrate, shop local, and kick off the holiday season NYMCM-style!
December 6, 2026
Our Village Lights Market in German Village is pure holiday nostalgia — and one of the most magical markets in Central Ohio. While the surrounding brick streets glow with iconic luminaries, the market itself takes place inside the beautifully lit and climate-controlled Schiller Recreation Center, making it warm, cozy, and comfortable for shoppers and vendors alike. Featuring 100+ local vendors, this beloved winter tradition invites you to wander, shop handmade and vintage finds, and soak up all the festive charm without worrying about the cold. It’s nostalgic, inviting, and feels like stepping straight into a holiday postcard — year after year.
3pm to 8pm
Free Admission – No Ticket Needed
December 13, 2026
Still checking names off your gift list? We’ve got you. Our Last Chance Holiday Market is your final stop for meaningful, one-of-a-kind gifts before the holidays hit full speed. Expect a festive, high-energy shopping experience filled with local makers, curated boutiques, and vintage finds — all perfect for last-minute gifting (or treating yourself, because you deserve it). Come soak up the holiday buzz, support small businesses, and snag gifts you won’t find anywhere else.
Location coming soon — magic guaranteed.