Blast Off to Craftcation: A Week Full of Creativity & Community
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you buy a ticket through my link, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. And, I'd tell you to go either way.
Craftcation’s theme for 2027: futurism. Atomic everything. Shiny and Retro. And I’m here for it all.
Grab your jetpack (suitcase), but leave the robot vacuum at home. This week, you won’t be cleaning. You’ll be crafting away! It’s 5 days of YOU-time.
As kids, we were promised a world of flying cars and four-hour workweeks. What we got was 37 open browser tabs and a group chat that never sleeps (my absolute nightmare). Meanwhile, the thing that lights us up- making something with your own hands- keeps getting bumped to "someday."
Art should never have to wait for someday.
The launch date: March 31-April 4, 2027.
It’s Wednesday through Sunday. It kicks off with a warm welcome party and doesn’t stop until you check out on Sunday.
Grab your Craftcation tickets here. (One for you, one for a friend.)
What magic awaits at Craftcation?
Welcome to the World of Tomorrow!
What exactly is Craftcation? It’s a 5-day conference for makers. Do you sew, paint, love ceramics, crochet, woodworking, or ice dyeing? If not, do you want to learn?
Do you have a small business, or want to start one? This is for you. Do you want to feel a sense of community and love? Do you just want to remember what it feels like to be creative? If you answered yes to any of these questions, Craftcation is for you.
There are hands-on workshops, business sessions, a super cute pop-up shop, and a whole lot of people who just get it.
Oh, they also have a craft throwdown called Iron Craft, and a fun evening walk called Wanderings- you go to different rooms, and each has a theme, craft, or something special. The wandering rooms are created by attendees, and It’s one of my favorites. There is a dance night and quiet craft area, too. Literally something for everyone. They’ve thought of everything!
Stuff for introverts and extroverts.
It takes place in Ventura, CA, on March 31-April 4, 2027. I've been a couple of times as an attendee, and I wrote about my first trip if you want the play-by-play from someone who showed up not knowing a single soul. Yep, I went alone and knew zero people.
Craftcaion 2027
Get Much-Deserved You-Time!
Let's be honest about how most of us craft. We squeeze it in. 20 minutes after the kids are in bed, an hour on a Sunday if the laundry gods allow. We craft during the quiet gaps of life.
Craftcation gives you permission to craft your heart out. For one whole week, crafting is the point. Nobody needs a snack, nobody needs lap time (although you might miss your puppy), nobody needs you to find their other shoe, and nobody is asking what's for dinner.
Your only job is to learn, make, and enjoy yourself. Yes, you get to enjoy a vacation while crafting. Craft-cation. I know, dreamy, right? It is.
If you're a caretaker, a small business owner, a parent, or all three, you spend most of your life keeping other people's lives running. This is a week to put away that to-do list and run your own life how you want, for once. That's not selfish. It's maintenance.
Even the best spaceships have to dock for repairs, once in a while.
Yes, I’m trying to stick with futurism theme through this post, #sorrynotsorry.
No Robots Required
We live in an era where you can watch a tutorial on anything, and I love that for us.
But there's something different when you watch someone do a thing on a screen vs. in person.
Picture yourself sitting at a table with other actual people, and playing with fabric, paint, yarn, or beads. You can ask questions in real time. Have real conversations and laugh when you mess up. There’s even someone there who’ll help you. It’s truly like nothing I’ve ever experienced.
I’ve been to a dozen conferences, and this one always calls back to me.
At Craftcation, you're learning in person from people who do this as their lifeblood (or business) and love it enough to teach it. You'll walk away with new skills, yeah, but also with a newfound confidence. And, even more importantly, you’ll leave with new friends. Friends that are here to do the same thing. It’s soul-fulfilling.
No buffering. No "sorry, my audio cut out." Gosh, I can’t stand Zoom calls. Haha
We are simply people who want to chat and make stuff. Oh, and if you’re all about learning for your small business, there’s tons of classes for that too.
When you sign up, you can pick a mix of classes. There are hundreds to choose from.
Calling All Earthlings
This is the part I didn't expect, and it turned out to be the best part.
I went to Craftcation for the workshops. I came home with lifelong friends.
There's something about a room full of people who all decided to spend their own time and money on being creative for a week, that makes conversation easy. You don't have to explain why you're excited about a French seam. Nobody blinks when you say you have a fabric stash you're "not ready to talk about." Someone else will geek out with you when you say you bought a set of cute stitch counters.
You sit down next to a stranger at lunch, and by the end you're trading business ideas and planning to keep in touch.
In a world where we're more connected but feel more lonely than ever, an in-person community is the most wonderful thing I can think of. It's also something you can't download and “save for later”.
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Your Official Permission Slip to Ride
Here's a secret about creative people: we're really good at talking ourselves out of things.
It's too expensive. I'm not good enough yet. I don't have time. Who am I to go to a conference just for makers? To do something just for me?
I'll answer that last one. You're a creative human who loves to make things. That's the whole qualification. You don't need to be a professional or "advanced"; you can try something completely new to you and not be judged. You don't need a craft business or a huge following or a perfect Instagram feed. If you've ever felt that little spark when you finished a project, you belong there.
It’s also a great time to learn new things. I learned about all kinds of crafts I never want to do again! Ha!
Consider this your official permission slip. Sign it, fold it up, and put it in your pocket. And, just goooo!!! You won’t regret it.
Craftcation Photography Presenter. Hi, it’s me.
Atomic-Presenter, Yes, I’m Teaching
Meet Your Flight Instructor!
Here's the fun part: this year, I'm not just attending; I'm teaching 2 classes!
Both are hands-on, both allow 15-20 students so I can actually help you one-on-one, and both are perfect for makers who want their work (or themselves) to look amazing on camera.
Product Photography 101
Selling your handmade goods, or want your projects to look as good as they feel? Bring your phone and something you've made, and we'll cover lighting, styling, composition, and backgrounds. Then you'll snap your item while I walk around and help. No fancy camera required. Get real-time instruction.
How to Photograph Yourself- NOT a Selfie
Ever wanted better photos of you for your website, Etsy shop, newsletter, vendor application, or your socials, without hiring anyone or begging a friend? We'll start outside and move indoors, and I'll bring tripods and remote options for you to try. Come ready to have some fun in front of the camera. Dancing encouraged.
Both classes are 2 hours long. Come say hi, bring your questions, and let's make some magic.
It’s like Disneyland: 1 ticket gets you into all the classes, including mine!
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Your Pre-Flight Checklist
A few practical thoughts if you're on the fence:
Treat it as an investment in yourself. We'll happily spend money on things for the kids, the house, the car, and everybody else. Put this one on your own list. Ask yourself how much you’ve actually spent on club sports for Junior, or doggie daycare.
Make a game plan. Look at the workshop schedule ahead of time and pick a few classes that make you a little nervous. Those are the good ones. Make an A and B list, and a C. The sign-up hour goes quickly. And make sure to sign up for my classes!
Bring a friend, or come solo. Both work. I've done it, and you'll be surprised how fast "solo" becomes "part of the group." My very first class was my people. We even have a group chat called “Taco Bus”.
Pack comfy shoes and an open mind. You'll want both. Oh, and if you have an outfit that you’re too shy to wear around town, bring it! Colorful goes hard here. But comfy shoes are a must.
T-Minus Ticket Time!
The future belongs to people who make time for the things that make them feel alive.
If you've been waiting for a sign, a nudge, or someone to tell you it's okay to take the time for yourself, consider this it.
And if you do come, come find me and say hi. I'd love to meet you. Bring your curiosity, your dancing shoes, and your best space-age sense of humor. Don’t forget the theme this year is Futurism.
See you at launch. 🚀
Cheers,
Annette
