Circle Craft Christmas Market

The renowned Vancouver Christmas tradition is now part of the Signatures family of shows! Circle Craft is western Canada’s largest craft market, and a premier destination for the country’s absolute finest artisans, artists and designers. This beautiful and dynamic show takes place inside the Vancouver Convention Centre, located on the downtown Vancouver waterfront with a dramatic mountain backdrop. For five days – including the Remembrance Day statutory holiday – exhibitors can expect enormous crowds of generational visitors who have been cherishing this Canadian craft institution, year after year, since 1972.

Signatures Shows and Circle Craft

Signatures operates the Circle Craft Christmas Market in a manner befit of the quality and professionalism that our reputation has accrued as Canada’s industry leader in craft event production, and in keeping with the co-operative’s mission statement to support and promote the work of co-operative members, as well as excellence in British Columbian craft. With the jurying process jointly undertaken by Signatures and Circle Craft, our collaborative efforts not only continue on the show’s established success, but we continue to build toward the future. Signatures is the most accomplished and experienced show producer in Canada. Having produced over 400 shows, we know what it takes to ensure a smooth-running event. We are a team of experienced show managers and staff committed to serving the best interests of the exhibitors and shopping public. 

What You Get - All in pricing

Our exhibit price is an all-inclusive package: Included is 8’ high booth draping (back & sides), electrical power, storage, show promotional literature, show programme listing, overnight security, carpeted aisles, descriptive artisan information, pre-show media opportunities, in-show artisan promotions, discounted hotel rates, discounted shipping rates and free material handling when using the official show carrier and priority consideration for acceptance into all of our shows. Unlike others, with Signatures there are no hidden costs!

Application Deadline

We will begin the jurying and acceptance process for selection of our 2022 participants starting on March 1, 2022. Phase 1 of acceptances focuses on processing the applications received from Circle Craft Members and the returning 2021 exhibitors who took advantage of the early-bird registration. In Phase 2 we will jury, consider, and decide upon all other applications that we have received by March 1, 2022, who do not qualify under Phase 1. After completion of the initial two phases, we will review the applications received after March 1, 2022. Applications in this third phase will be selected based upon remaining availability in product category quotas and replacements for any cancellation received. The show will have a waiting list that you may be placed on if your application is unsuccessful. Upon acceptance, participants will be notified of set up details and ongoing show related correspondence via the email address provided in this application.

Online Application Process

We have made our 2022 online application form as clear, concise, and user-friendly as technology allows. Please just follow the outlined steps, completing each one in its entirety and then click SUBMIT.  The eleven steps to be part of the 2022 Circle Craft Christmas Market are as follows:

Step 1 - Review and agree to our Criteria, Eligibility and Site-exclusivity requirements.

Step 2 - Review and agree to our Terms and Conditions, Acceptance, Health Protocols and Cancellation Policy.

Step 3 - Select your product category. Review the available exhibit booth sizes, types and fees.

Step 4 - Select your 1st and 2nd choice in booth size and type that you are applying for.

Step 5 - List the products you wish to display and sell at the show.

Step 6 - Complete the detailed applicant information section.

Step 7 - Upload the eight product images required for jurying.

Step 8 - Upload your supporting materials; Booth display, workshop photo, résumé/CV, art statement and statement of production process.

Step 9 - Authorize the processing of the $10 application fee and $400 deposit (only if you are accepted).

Step 10 - Submit your completed application.

Save and Return

You always have the option to start the application process and return at a later time to complete your submission. PLEASE NOTE HOWEVER THAT IMAGE UPLOADS ARE NOT SAVED. When you click the SAVE button, we will email a link to you. You can return and complete your application at anytime. Any form that remains incomplete 30 days after the Save and Return has been utilized, will be deleted.

Criteria

The Circle Craft Christmas Market is a juried event. The jury selection committee will be comprised of Signatures personnel and members of the Circle Craft Co-operative, and selected applications must be approved by both organizations. The primary basis for acceptance is the excellence of design, quality, uniqueness, originality, and superior craftsmanship of the work to be sold. Acceptance is also based on booth display, product packaging, and product categories within the show. Jewellery may not be sold unless specifically juried and accepted. Gourmet Food and Body Care applicants may be required to submit samples on request. 

Eligibility

You must be the designer and the creator of the work to be displayed and sold. Only work produced in Canada by you or under your direct supervision will be considered. Reproduction aids such as moulds used in jewellery or ceramics must be the creation of the applying artisan. Commercially manufactured products, work assembled from commercial kits or materials, or work represented by dealers or agents will not be allowed.

Site Exclusivity - Vancouver Convention Centre

To protect the unique character of the Circle Craft Christmas Market within the Vancouver Convention Centre you agree not to have your products available at, any markets, craft, handmade, or similar type show, or any handmade feature areas of other types of shows that are larger than 50 exhibitors (excluding shows produced by Signatures, farmers markets, or community sponsored events), within or on the grounds of The Vancouver Convention Centre 30 days before or during the dates of the show.

Terms and Conditions of Acceptance

Applications must include the non-refundable $10 application fee.

If your application is accepted, the first deposit of $400 will be processed using the credit card you entered in this application. The remaining booth payments due will be indicated in your contract with a variety of available deferred payment options.

You will receive your letter of acceptance and show contract to the email address entered on the application form. Please read these documents carefully. The contract will indicate the booth size and type for which you have been accepted. We attempt to accommodate your original request, but this is not always possible, and an alternative size may be contracted. The products that you are accepted to display, and sell will also be indicated. Only the products that were submitted for jurying and indicated in the show contract will be allowed at the show. You must sign, date, and return the contract by the indicated due date. You must also select one of our payment options as indicated in the contract and include post-dated payments as outlined.

Health and Safety Protocols

The COVID-19 pandemic is an ever-evolving crisis that continues to impact planning for the event. Final applicable rules and regulations will be published closer to the event dates but based on the 2021 fall show and recent developments as of January 1, 2022, here are guidelines you can expect to be in place. 

Proof of Vaccine - All exhibitors, staff, visitors, and all other persons will be required to provide acceptable proof of full vaccination, as dictated by the provincial health authority, for entry into the show. If you are not fully vaccinated (minimum 2 doses) it is recommended that you do not apply to be part of the 2022 show as you will not be permitted entry

Face Covering - All exhibitors, staff and visitors will be required to wear an approved mask at all times while attending the show. Face Shields will not be accepted. The only time masks may be removed is while consuming food or drink in the designated food consumption area.

Enhanced Safety Measures - The event will be implementing a number of safety measures including; advanced online ticketing, timed-admissions for clients, wider aisles, digitized show programme, contact tracing procedures, elimination of re-entry passes and placement of hand-sanitizer stations.

Food Sampling - For a variety of reasons; mask requirements, facility rules and provincial health regulations we were unable to permit food sampling in the 2021 show. Currently it is unclear if these same rules and regulations will be applicable for 2022 although there remains a strong possibility. As a result, it is recommended that you do not apply to be a gourmet food exhibitor in the 2022 show if you cannot successfully do the show without food sampling.

Cancellation of Your Participation 

If you can no longer participate in the show and we have issued you a contract, cancellation fees will apply, the $400 deposit amount is non-refundable. If you cancel your participation up to 60 days prior to the first day of the show you will receive a refund of 50% of your total payments made to date not including the non-refundable deposit. If you cancel less than 60 days prior to the first day of the show, there will be no refund of any payments or deposits.

Cancellation of the show

Should the show be cancelled due to COVID-19 or for any other reason, Signatures will issue full refunds of your deposit(s) in a prompt manner. If the show proceeds, even with restrictive COVID-19 protocols in place, including fully vaccinated requirements for exhibitors, all cancellations will be subject to our general cancellation and refund policy. Please refer to the FAQ for exhibitors at https://signatures.ca/faqs/#exhibitors

Please have the following materials ready for upload. All images to be uploaded must be in either JPEG or PNG format, maximum 5mb in size. All documents to be uploaded must be in PDF format.

• Eight clear product images of what you plan to display and sell at the show.
• One clear product image for use in the Signatures.ca show gallery.
• One recent photo of your booth display, or detailed diagram of your display. 
• Two photos of your studio and of you working in it. These images should present an overall view of your workspace and of you actively at work. 
• A PDF of your résumé/CV detailing your background, design training, and show experience.
• A PDF of your Art and Design Personal Statement and a detailed description of your production process. What inspires you to create, what is the background and source of your creative passion, how long you have been doing it, how others assist you, their roles and involvement in the production, and your products’ price ranges. Include a detailed description of your production process, from inspiration to completion and all steps in between.

Notes: All uploaded images must be in JPEG or PNG formats only. Do not submit any other formats as they will not be accepted nor uploaded. All JPEG or PNG files you send must be 300 dpi, no smaller than 1000 pixels and no larger than 4000 pixels in dimension on any side. Each image file cannot exceed 5mb in size.

Tip: If you need help converting your images to JPEG please click here: Convert To JPEG

Tip: If you need help in image sizing, please click here: Image Resizing

Tip: If you need help with converting your documents to PDF click here: Convert to PDF

Please upload eight high resolution, close-up, focused images of the work you would like to display and sell at the show, (maximum size 5mb each). The only accepted formats for photo images are JPEG or PNG.

Please upload the following supporting material:

Website Gallery - Upload one photo to be used in the signatures.ca website gallery - Image should be a clear image of one product. Size is 1080 x 1080 in JPEG format only. For examples: For examples:  Signatures Gallery

Booth Display - Upload one photo or detailed sketch of the exhibit booth you are planning to use at the show.

Workshop - Upload two photos of your studio and of you working in it. These images should present an overall view of your workspace and of you actively at work. 

Résumé/CV - Upload a PDF of your résumé/CV.

Art Statement - Upload a PDF of your Art and Design Personal Statement and a detailed description of your production process.

Please make sure all files are uploaded; incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

Your Signature and Declaration of Authenticity

I am the creator and producer of the products that I intend to sell at the Circle Craft Christmas Market. I understand that digitally signing my name constitutes a legal signature confirming that I acknowledge and agree to all terms and conditions in this Agreement contained herein.