Become a CraftyAss Markets Maker

Become a Craftyass Markets Maker ✨

Interested in becoming a vendor? AWESOME. We’re always excited to meet talented, passionate makers who want to grow their business in a supportive, high‑traffic retail environment.

Craftyass Markets is more than a place to sell — it’s a community built by makers, for makers.

About Us

CraftyAss Markets is a division of Painted Donkey Inc., a maker‑focused business founded in 2015 with a simple mission: help creatives succeed.

In 2024, we expanded that mission beyond supplies and support and launched CraftyAss Markets — a curated handmade marketplace designed to give makers consistent exposure, real retail experience, and meaningful customer connections.

We began in Ajax, Ontario and are now proudly located in historic and vibrant downtown Cobourg.

Why Cobourg?

Cobourg offers the best of small‑town charm with big opportunity:

  • A lively, walkable downtown core

  • Strong year‑round foot traffic

  • A thriving tourism destination

  • Regular town events, festivals, and seasonal shopping surges

Surrounded by cafés, restaurants, pubs, and boutique shops, our downtown location attracts both locals and visitors who are actively looking to shop small and discover handmade goods.

Helpful links:

What You Can Expect From Us

We take our role as a market operator seriously. Our maker partners can count on:

  • Honest, caring, and hands-on staff
  • Strong, consistent marketing and social media promotion
  • Featured maker content days
  • Special in-store events and themed promotions
  • Extended store hours during peak seasons
  • Participation in town events and street festivals

Our goal is simple: drive traffic, create a buzz, and support your growth.

What Is Expected From Maker Partners

Success at CraftyAss Markets is a shared effort. To keep our market fresh, engaging and professional maker partners are expected to:

  • Offer products with a clear handmade or crafty element
  • Maintain an active presence on your own social media
  • Engage with CraftyAss Markets online (sharing, liking, commenting, tagging)
  • Keep inventory organized, clearly labelled and well stocked
  • Introduce new or refreshed products at least once per month
  • Commit to a minimum 3-month term when joining
  • Provide 1 month notice if you choose to leave the market

How it Works

Interested in joining us? You’re in the right place. 

Please explore the sections below to learn more about:

  • Maker fees & structure
  • Booth setup and merchandising
  • Application and onboarding process

If you think CraftyAss Markets might be the right fit for you, we can’t wait to hear from you!

Let’s grow your handmade business – together.

CraftyAss Markets provides shelves and tables as well as the option to bring your own approved shelf or display setup to display your products. 

If you will be using your display space to advertise a custom product that must be ordered, our team members will be trained to help customers understand your process and requirements.

Shelf Space Provided by CraftyAss Markets

20″(L) x 12″(W) x 14″(H) shelf $25 per month with no commission fees

Fridge or Freezer Space

1 fridge shelf 17″(L) x 14″(W) x 12″(H) $40 per month with no commission fees
1 freezer basket 20″(L) x 8.5″(W) x 8″(H) $50 per month with no commission fees (includes storage directly below the basket for additional stock)

BYOD (Bring Your Own Display)

*If your display has to be attached to the wall, approval is required prior to the display being setup. Upon removal you will be required to repair any damage caused to the wall by your display, this includes patching any holes caused by screws. All displays must be stable and safe.

2′ wide x 2′ deep x 8′ tall (max) $125 with no commission fee
3′ wide x 2′ deep x 8′ tall (max) $185 with no commission fee
4′ wide x 2′ deep x 8′ tall (max) $245 with no commission fee
5′ wide x 2′ deep x 8′ tall (max) $305 with no commission fee
6′ wide x 2′ deep x 8′ tall (max) $365 with no commission fee

REMINDER – A minimum commitment of 3 months is required when first joining the market, regardless of which display option is selected. Display options can be changed at any time. When leaving the market 1 month notice is required prior to your departure date.

Our pricing structure is based on low rental prices for display space, with no additional commission fee. We do not collect sales tax on your behalf. Your prices must be inclusive of sales tax (HST) for Ontario if you are required to collect it. If you collect sales tax you are responsible for calculating and remitting it to the government. CraftyAss Markets charges a 13% administration fee to customers on each order. This is a fee customers are used to paying when purchasing goods (Ontario HST). In our case it’s used to maintain lower shelf prices for makers. 

Food vendors will be required to provide a copy of their Dine Safe certification, or a letter from the Dine Safe certified commercial kitchen the products are prepared in. All food items must have an ingredients list, and a best before date on each package.

If you are able to travel to our Cobourg locaition to replenish and/or refresh your display you are welcome to do so during our regular store hours.

If you prefer to have additional inventory stored at Crafty Ass Markets for our staff to restock your display on your behalf there will be an additional monthly fee of $20. All products must be labelled and ready to sell in the system before being placed on the shelves.

Your products can also be shipped to us to be displayed on your behalf.

As a vendor you will be provided access to an online system where you will manage your products, product images, inventory levels, and pricing (regular and sale pricing). This is also where you will see your sales, what commissions have been paid to you or are pending payment to you.

Vendor comissions are paid monthly at the beginning of the month. For example, commissions earned in the month of May will be paid out early in June. Payments are sent via email Interac eTransfer. We recommend setting your email up with your bank for Autodeposit. This eliminates the need for a security question and ensures no delays in receiving your funds.

All vendors are advised to carry insurance for all products on display or in storage at Crafty Ass Markets, while every effort will be made to ensure the security of the premises and products, Crafty Ass Markets is not responsible for any damage or loss of vendor products and displays.

Ready to join us?

Have questions? Email us at makers@craftyassmarkets.ca and we will be happy to help!