FAQ for Artists

I live in Boulder Mountain Fire District. How do I participate?

Click on the link below to register. Resident artists do not go through the jury process and enjoy discounted registration fees.

BMFPD residents enjoy preferred pricing and keep 100% of the profits from items you sell.

The booth fee is your only fee.

  • An 8’ x 8’ space is $144 (shared $216*)
  • A 10’ x 10’ space is $204 (shared $306*)

*Two artists may share a booth. Use one form to register.

I participated in Boulder Mountain Handmade in 2022 and would like to participate again. What’s the process for “returners”?

Please click on the link below to register. Returning artists do not go through the jury process.

Through July 31 returning artists enjoy preferred pricing. Beginning August 1, fees are the same for all registrants and are noted in the next section. The booth fee is your only fee. You keep 100% of the profits from the items you sell.

  • An 8’ x 8’ space is $192 (shared $288*)
  • A 10’ x 10’ space is $272 (shared $408*)

*Two artists may share a booth. Use one form to register.

I don’t live in the BMF District but would like to participate. How do I do that?

Artists living in Boulder, Denver, and the surrounding areas are welcome to submit applications by clicking on the link below, completing the application, and submitting photos of your work by email or by linking us to your website. There is no application fee. Work is juried and artists are notified of acceptance once that process is complete.

If accepted, artists have 10 business days to complete the registration process by paying their booth fee to reserve their space.

  • An 8’ x 8’ space is $240 (shared $360*)
  • A 10’ x 10’ space is $340 (shared $510*)

*Two artists may share a booth. Both must apply and be approved through the jury process. Once approved, use one form to register both artists.

Follow this link to apply for 2023 Boulder Mountain Handmade

Is there a deadline for registration?

Preferred returner registration must be complete by the end of the day on July 31 to receive the discounted rate. Applications are accepted for new artists until spaces are filled. Once accepted, registration and payment must be completed within 10 business days or the space will be made available to other artists.

What if I change my mind? Is the booth fee refundable?

Until October 1, 2023, your fee is refundable, if we are able to fill your space with another artist or crafter. After October 1, booth fees are non-refundable.

A $20 processing fee will be charged for all cancellations regardless of  when you cancel.

What do you need from me for the application process?

Email photos of your work or provide a website address where samples of your work can be seen. Examples should show work similar to what you plan to exhibit and sell at Boulder Mountain Handmade.

What are you looking for in the jury process?

Boulder Mountain Handmade focuses on showcasing local artisans and featuring handmade, original work. We look for craftsmanship and creativity. We look for a variety of arts and crafts to give our customers a diverse shopping experience.

What kind of items may be sold at Boulder Mountain Handmade?

All items must be handmade. Crafts, artwork, food items (such as candies, jams, etc.), non-alcoholic beverages (such as teas, etc.), and photographs must be original and made by the person(s) renting the space.

Where will the event be held?

Boulder Mountain Handmade will be held on November 11 and 12, 2023 at Boulder Elks Lodge located at 3975 28th Street. We will be open from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM each day.

When can I set up my space?

Some hours will be available for set up in the afternoon Friday Nov. 10 – specific times to be determined. Set up will start on Saturday, Nov. 11 at 8:00 AM. The sale starts at 10:00 AM.

When is the sale over and how long do I have to strike?

We end promptly at 4:00 PM on Sunday, Nov. 12. We are open to customers through that time and ask that artists remain in full display mode until 4:00 PM. No early take-down or load-up is permitted. We need to clear the building by 6:00 PM.

Can I share a space with someone?

We do allow up to two participants to share a space once both have been accepted to participate in the event. Both artists should submit applications and work samples for the jury process. Once both artists are approved, they complete a single registration form together.

I need more space. Can I purchase more than one booth?

Absolutely. We are happy to provide two adjoining spaces, or spaces in different parts of the room, as space permits. Talk to us about what you need.

What equipment/supplies do I need to bring?

You need to supply any equipment needed to display your work. Keep in mind that nothing can be affixed to the walls. You can lean something against the wall, as long as it is not abrasive. You will also need to provide equipment for your sales…whatever software and hardware you prefer to use. There is Wi-Fi available on site. We will provide some additional ambient light to supplement the lighting available at the venue. We recommend that artists bring additional lighting for their spaces.

Can I hang things on the wall?

No.

Is there electricity available to the artist spaces?

Yes. We make electricity available to each booth at no additional charge.  You do need to bring along some extension cords to get the electricity where you want it within your booth.

May I use a canopy or tent in my space?

Yes. Just be sure to protect the floor from abrasive pole edges. And be sure that you purchase a space that is adequately sized for your canopy, i.e., if your canopy is 10’ x 10’ you need to purchase a 10’ x 10’ space as your canopy will not fit in our smaller spaces. Be aware that you will likely need additional lighting under the canopy or tent.

Will there be assistance to cover my space if I need a break?

No. Please provide any support or assistance you think you will need for yourself. Artisans and their designees are responsible for their own booths for the duration of the event. There will be snacks and beverages available for sale on site provided by the Elks Lodge.

Can you suggest resources where I might get ideas about how to set up my booth or how to find inexpensive resources?

There are numerous resources online to help crafters and artists set up their booths. Check out some of these websites.

How do customers pay for my work?

Your customers will pay you directly for their purchases. Please be prepared to handle cash, check, and credit card sales. Our greeters will explain this to customers as they enter the sale area.

How do I get paid?

Artists are paid by their customers at the point of sale. Artists keep all their proceeds – the only fee is the space fee.

I don’t currently do credit card sales. Can you suggest resources I might use to set up an account?

We encourage all artists to accept credit cards at the sale. Here are two commonly used options to add credit card processing to your booth at Boulder Mountain Handmade:

Do I collect sales tax?

Yes. Vendors are responsible for collecting and submitting sales tax to the City of Boulder and the State of Colorado.

All vendors must have either a City of Boulder business license or a City of Boulder special event license, and are responsible for submitting sales tax to the City after the event. When you register for your booth, we will ask you to give us a copy of your license. If you submitted a copy of your City of Boulder business license to us last year, you don’t need to give it to us again. If you obtained a special event license last year, you will need to get a new license for this year’s event.

If your business is based in the City of Boulder, you need a City of Boulder business license; this link will take you to the form:  https://bouldercolorado.gov/services/business-licenses

 

If your business is NOT based in the City of Boulder, you can get a special event license, free of charge; this link will give you the info:  https://bouldercolorado.gov/business-licensing-and-taxation-special-events

If you need more information, this link will provide information about the rates and procedures for Boulder: https://bouldercolorado.gov/tax-license

This link provides information about the State of Colorado tax guidelines and rate: https://tax.colorado.gov/SUTS-help

May I share information about Boulder Mountain Handmade with other artists?

Absolutely. We hope that you will share information about Boulder Mountain Handmade with artists and crafters who may be interested—or give us their contact information and we will mail directly to them.

Updated June 2023