If your question is not answered below, feel free to contact the Member Services Coordinator.

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How much does it cost to participate in a show?

The cost varies depending on whether you are a member and the size of the space you request.  Generally, only members of the National Capital Artisans (NCA) can apply for a show and get first preference before non-members can apply. Spaces are very affordable. Please consult the individual show applications for cost, found on our website under Craft Shows & Events.

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Does the price include a table?

No, but tables can be rented for an additional $12 for a 6-foot table, and $14 for an 8-foot table.

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That seems expensive. Why these prices?

NCA shows are not profit driven and do not generate any profit. All the money is spent on operating the show; for rental of the venue, custodial charges, advertising, additional supplies needed, etc. A large part of the budget is spent on advertising for each show.

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Are the shows well-attended?

Yes, particularly our fall shows. The Traditions Show at Sir Wilfrid Laurier Secondary School, Orléans usually attracts 2,000+ visitors. The Holiday Magic Show at Lester B. Pearson High School attracts 1,200 to 1,600 visitors. The Comfort & Joy Show at St. Mark's High
School, Manotick was new in 2023, it attracts over 1600 visitors to the show.  The Last Minute Show, a 1-day show moved to Kanata United Church Hall in 2025.  For its debut with a warm welcome, it attracted over 500 visitors.

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Can I sell anything I want?

No. You can only sell hand-made items that you made yourself. Every type of item you bring to a show must be juried in order for you to be able to sell it. For example, if you make candles, greeting cards, and Christmas decorations, but only get the candles and greeting cards juried, it means you can't bring your Christmas decorations to the show. You can only sell the candles and greeting cards.

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How does one get their craft items juried?

The method of jurying is by submitting at least 5 good (high resolution) photos of each type of craft you would like to bring to an NCA show with a brief description of the artwork by submitting them with your membership application or by emailing the photos to our Member Services Coordinator when you submit your show application. Also, if you have displayed at a public show before, one or two photos of your booth display is required.

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How do I apply/sign up for a show?
If the shows are open to non-members the link to the applications will be on the Events page on our website. Select the show you would like to participate in. Fill in the application form and submit it, along with your photos to be juried to the Member Services Coordinator. Following the acceptance of your items and application, you will receive an invoice for payment of the show. Alternatively, apply to be a member and you will be given access to the members area and show applications.

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Can I sign up for just one day of a two-day show?
No, artisans have to sign up for the whole weekend.

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How much does it cost to join National Capital Artisans?
Joining NCA costs $40 for a single person membership or $45 for a family membership.

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What are the benefits of being a member?
There are many benefits to being a member. (1) Members get first pick on booth spaces. (2) Members can reserve larger booth spaces.
(3) Your sales at NCA shows can be processed for payment via Square by the Treasurer for a small fee. (4) Mandatory fibre content labels are available to purchase in small batches at cost. (5) As a member, you have a say in the operation of the organization.

 

Taking into consideration the difference in cost between Member and Non-member costs, you will see that you can offset your membership fees by participating in only a couple of shows. Members have responsibilities and are expected to participate actively in the organization and in the function of the shows. For example, some will tape the floor prior to the shows to delineate the various booth spaces. Others will be assigned to staff reception for an hour or two during the show. These tasks are assigned by the Event Coordinator and are an integral part of the success of each show running smoothly.

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How many booth spaces are there in each show?

The Traditions Show, Orléans can hold up to 80 vendors, depending on the configuration used. The standard configuration allows for up to 80 booths and ample space between the aisles for easy access by the public. The Holiday Magic Show, Gloucester allows for 65 booths. 

The Comfort and Joy Show depending on configuration, allows up to 65 booths. The Last Minute Show depending on configuration used  allows up to 40 booths.

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Are there any special rules/regulations?

Yes, there are a fair number of special rules to the shows in order to uphold NCA's standards. For example, all tables must be covered with a fabric tablecloth or display cloth that extends to the floor on all 4 sides. Plastic coverings are not acceptable.

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There are also rules about eating and drinking at the shows depending on the location of the show. In certain locations food and/or drink

are not permitted in the gyms (only bottled water). There are regulations about who can staff your booth or table and when they have to be there. All these rules have been put in place to ensure a pleasurable and memorable experience for our visitors.  Please see the show regulations and the following jurying standards for more details: general standards, fine art and photography, candles, fabric and textiles, floral, folk art decorative and tole painting, food, jewelry, knit and crochet, personal care, pottery and ceramics, stained glass, and woodworking.  As well as the mandatory standards for food and confections; personal care products; pottery, ceramics and glassware; textile fibre, yarn, or fabric; and Children's toys.

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Can anyone participate in National Capital shows?

Membership is open to individuals who live in eastern Ontario or western Quebec who make hand-made crafts and produce artisans' pieces can participate in the shows once they are juried in. Store-front and retail artisans who mass produce items for sale are not accepted in NCA shows.  **Businesses with storefronts or staffed locations are not eligible to participate in NCA shows. There are quotas on the acceptable number of crafters that make the same type of craft for each show. To ensure diversity and variety of handcrafted works at shows, category quotas will be imposed with respect to participation in the shows.

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For example, in a show that has 50 artisans, we would not accept there be 10 woodworkers or 15 jewelers. This would limit the success of each woodworker and jeweler, and provide less of a varied experience for our visitors. These caps are therefore applied to every show based on the number of artisans participating. The Event Coordinator has the final say on these quotas. The spaces to fill the quotas are, as always, first come first served.

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