Participants Info & Application:

3 Info & Fees

Application

Step 3: Category 01 - Arts & Crafts Vendor

About this Category

Original, hand-crafted work by the artist who is required to be present on the day-of the event. Arts and crafts (aka handicrafts) comprise a whole host of items that have been skillfully made, completely by hand or using only simple hand-powered tools. The individual artisanship of the items is a paramount criterion, Items made by mass production or large-scale machines are not handicrafts.

Unacceptable are mass-manufactured items, kits, imports, mass-manufactured reproductions of your own work, foods, or recorded media of any kind. If you are a designer who has objects manufactured, or otherwise do not meet the guidelines above, please apply as a commercial vendor.
Original artists / crafters must be present to display their work. No agents or representatives.
Approximately 140 arts & crafts booths in one location. The Arts and Crafts section is mid-avenue, from Curtis (in Albany) to approximately Ventura (in Berkeley). There are relatively fewer performers and food vendors in this area. Although we have commercial booths, they are placed elsewhere & cost a lot more.
Electricity is NOT available in the Arts and Crafts section of the Solano Avenue Stroll.

How to apply

Submit at least 3 photographs of your work including: one of you in the process of producing your item; one of your booth, and at least one of your item(s). Any additional images are optional. The photos must be representative of the items you typically sell. Photos will be used to verify that work juried is what you sell on the day of the Stroll. A new SAA (volunteer) Board reviews the photos every year so you must submit photos every year. Photos should be in focus with a solid background. Put your name and address on the back of each.
Jury consists of the SAA Board of Directors. Results of the jurying will be E-mailed as soon as available. Please do not call for results. Your canceled booth fee check, not the jury check, means you are accepted.
With your application: We require a copy of your
- Sellers Permit (see Basic Info above);
- 3 photographs of your work remember the one of you "producing" your items!
- 2 self-addressed stamped envelopes
  (2nd envelope is optional - be sure it's large enough to return your photos/items IF you want them back)
- Check(s) for fees (see fees below)
  - Booth fee
  - Jury fee (separate check)
  - Electricity Fee (if requested, very limited availability)
- Incomplete applications will be returned to sender without additional contact. Re-submissions must be accepted by application deadlines. There will be absolutely no exceptions. All applications must include a self-addressed stamped envelope.

Day of Event Info

Please do not contact Solano Avenue merchants directly for issues of any kind.
Booths:
- Only one booth per organization, business, or craftsperson. No sharing
- We provide “real estate,” empty space only, no rentals
- Most spaces are 10 x 10 foot (except for food booths.)
- Booths go in [empty] parking spaces with the back of the booths against the curb.
- You provide all that you will need: chairs, booth, sunscreen, hats or shade, garbage can. It is your responsibility to make your booth both environmentally and physically safe.
Electricity:
- Locations are mainly in Albany and up a 12' pole. The SAA cannot help you access it.
- Bring your own ladder & cords. We recommend your extension cords be 50 feet or more.
- Do not use duct tape on the poles, but please tape cords across sidewalks.
Set-up:
- There is no specific check in site.
- 7-9:30 am - You may drive your vehicle in/out.
- 9:30 am - All vehicles must be off Solano.
- Please DRIVE CAREFULLY and replace barricades if you move them.
- DO NOT BLOCK DRIVEWAYS, wheelchair ramps or fire hydrants.
- Please respect the residents and business owners on the street.
- Set booth in the parking strip on Solano Avenue, back to the curb according to the map.
- 10 am - Booths open.
- There are no parking passes or special parking areas for vendors or festival attendees. Use legal parking spots only.
Event duration: Booths open at 10, close at 6. You may do business during the parade. We request that you to stay open the entire length of the event (10am-6PM).
Shut down:
- 6 pm - All sales must stop.
- 6-6:30 pm- Pack up
- 6:30 pm - You may bring your vehicle onto Solano to load up.
- We realize some of you may take longer. Please do not block the traffic lanes.
Event Staff: Each 3-block area has a “Block Captain” to help with any problems. They will be wearing fluorescent “safety” vests that read "SOLANO STROLL" on the breast and back. They and the police are in communication with the event headquarters.
Keep literature distribution and clipboard activity behind your table.
You may not give away food or drink unless you register as a food booth.
No music or amplification in booths. All entertainers must apply using the Entertainers Application.
Firecrackers, "snap- pop" type products, silly string, alcohol, and Styrofoam are not allowed.
Strict cigarette smoking laws are in place in both the City of Albany and Berkeley.
Thank you in advance for your cooperation.
Never Call 911 from a cell phone at the Solano Stroll: Albany Police/Fire/Medical: 510.525.7300 / Berkeley Police/Fire/Medical 510.981.5911
Download this Guide or you may use your print button to print this page

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the Arts and Crafts Section?

The Arts and Crafts section is mid-avenue, from Curtis (in Albany) to approximately Ventura (in Berkeley). There are relatively fewer performers and food vendors in this area. Most of the objects for sale in the crafters area are to be "hand crafted "; there may or may not be a "commercial " vendor mixed-in – the merchants are allowed to use the front of their stores in any way they see fit and therefore you may see "out of category " or not crafted items for sale.

Do I have to submit photos every year as an arts and crafts vendor?

Yes. The SAA [volunteer] Board of directors "updates " every year, and so current Board Members need to be able to review your work.

How important are the photos?

We can not stress enough how important your images are; especially the one of you “actually manufacturing your product! Your application may be returned to you as incomplete, even if you are a repeat participant, we must have those pictures of your doing your own work.

When will I know if I am going to participate?

" Jurying " of the arts/craft participants takes place every year promptly at the end of June. We will let you know soon afterwards by email – usually by July.

Do I have to provide an extra envelope for photo (or cd) return or is it optional?

It is optional in either/both cases. (Applicable to performers and arts/crafters only.)

How do the jury fees work?

There are two separate checks/money-orders involved: The "jury fee " is a non-refundable payment for us to determine if you qualify as a Crafter. The second payment is deposited once you are accepted – sent back or destroyed if not. Both checks/money-orders should be made out to the "Solano Avenue Association ".

What if I see "buy and sell " or non-hand-crafted items for sale in the Arts/Crafts area?

Please let us know! We rely on the vendors to self-police the section. Please let us know, anonymously if necessary who you suspect of selling non-crafted items. The integrity of the crafters area is of paramount importance to us and in 2010 (and thereafter) we will step-up the "jurying " process and getting into the crafters area will become more difficult.

Do I need insurance?

Only participants who are selling/serving food items and or hosting physical activities; crafters, commercial vendors and performers do not need insurance certificates.

How many envelopes do I need?

Arts and craft participants need to send in one self addressed, stamped envelope, and an additional SASE if – if you want items returned.

I am a face-Painter / Henna artists, am I considered a Crafter?

No. You are a “Commercial Art Activity” (Category 04).

I am a photographer. regarding the image of me "actually manufacturing my product" Do you want a photograph of me taking pictures?

Yes. In fact be sure to include your equipment and anything else in the image as well. The point is that you are taking the photographs yourself and you are not re-selling other people's work.

I received my media (pictures, CD, etc.) back from you in an envelope with no paperwork what gives?

If you included a postage-paid envelope for material returns we return your materials to you with no additional items or communication, just the materials you wanted back (usually in late June or early July). Any other returns should have documentation.

I have seen lots of manufactured (non-hand-crafted) items at the Stroll, Why the fuss?

We take measures to maintain the integrity the crafters section as best as we can. Members of the Solano Avenue Association who own businesses in the crafters section can do what they want with their storefronts and what they sell may not be handcrafted. in some cases SAA members allow relatives or outside organizations to sell in front of their businesses. Yes, you do see mass-manufactured items at the event, ideally/mostly outside of the crafters area. Importers/mass manufacturers are welcomed to apply as commercial vendors.

I am a crafter wanting two booths, do I have to pay two/double jury fees?

No.

Fees

(Fees adjusted in 2004 and 2010)

Arts & Crafts Fees	Fees	Initial Deadline	Late:
Vendor Fees	$150 - Pre June 15	June 15	June 15-July 15 (Late) $225 and $15 Jury separate checks
Jury Fees	$10 - Pre June 15 separate checks	June 15

Go to Step 4: Application

Please be sure you have all the info above to fill out the application:

We are no longer accepting registration for the 2011 Event

Crafter DEADLINE is July 15th (annually)

More questions? Stroll FAQ (Frequent Questions and Answers)

return to Step 1: Read Basic Info
return to Step 2: Choose your category/categories