Made Our Show 2024: A New Trade Show for Handcrafted Artisans
A New Space for Handcrafted Artisans
When the well-known American Handcrafted trade show didn’t return in 2024, many independent artisans felt the loss of a vital space to connect with retailers who truly appreciate handcrafted goods. In response, Laura Hutchroft of Inteplei Works took the initiative to create something new—Made Our Show. Held from February 18-20 in Baltimore, this inaugural trade show brought together artists and buyers with a shared passion for handcrafted excellence.
From the moment I arrived, it felt like a community. Vendors exchanged advice, helped each other with setup, and even shared lighting solutions! This was my first multi-day trade show in a booth, and I was lucky enough to secure a corner booth—an exciting but slightly overwhelming challenge. With a larger space than I was used to, I had to rethink my display strategy. Thankfully, Laura shared some expert tips: tall displays on the ends and a lower center to create visibility—a layout opposite of what’s typically recommended for retail shows!
Designing My Booth & Showcasing My Jewelry
Positioned across from the talented Lisa from Hilborn Pottery and the inspiring Susan from Tiny Birds Jewelry, I was surrounded by experienced artisans who made the event even more special. Susan, an 80-year-old jeweler from Tucson, even invited me to stay with her during the Tucson Gem Shows next year—one of many wonderful connections made during the show.
For my booth, I designed many of my displays in CAD and 3D printed them, ensuring they showcased my jewelry beautifully. I presented a selection of my handcrafted collections, including:
- Cufflinks, tie bars, and unisex rings
- Lattice, Cube, Pebble, Thames, Formations, and Layer collections
I also introduced a unique postcard featuring a space for a ring sizer, allowing potential buyers to measure their size at home and keep my brand top of mind.
Highlights from the Show
One of the biggest joys of the event was connecting with fellow designers. I spent hours talking about jewelry, business strategies, and creative processes—something I never get tired of! Having my friend Tinika by my side throughout the show made the experience even more enjoyable. She took the week off to help and support me, and I am incredibly grateful for her advice, encouragement, and—most importantly—our shared tradition of celebrating with chicken wings!
Laura thoughtfully arranged:
- A happy hour on Tuesday evening
- Afternoon snacks on Wednesday
- Breakfast on Thursday morning
These small but meaningful touches fostered a sense of camaraderie among vendors and visitors.
On Wednesday, I realized I hadn't been outside since Monday! Tinika and I took a much-needed break to grab some chicken wings, and we made sure to celebrate the end of the show on Thursday with another round.
Business Outcomes: Two New Retailers Carry My Jewelry!
While the first couple of days started slow for me, Thursday was a breakthrough—I secured two new retail partnerships! My handcrafted jewelry will now be available at:
- Arcadia in Provincetown, Cape Cod
- Local Artisan Marketplace in Pennsylvania (Southampton & Doylestown locations)
Gaining new wholesale buyers was a major goal, and I’m thrilled to have achieved it. However, looking back, I should have aimed even higher. Lesson learned for next time!
Lessons Learned & Looking Ahead
One unexpected challenge I faced was lighting—my clamp table-top lights didn’t fit on the thick table surfaces. But in true artisan community spirit, I was able to lend them to a fellow vendor, while another exhibitor, Cheryl from Black Cat Pottery, generously loaned me extra lights that attached to the pipe and drapes. This kind of support and problem-solving among vendors is what makes trade shows like Made Our Show so special.
To wrap up the trip, Tinika and I visited the American Craft Council Show on Friday to see friends exhibiting there—a perfect way to round off a week filled with creativity, connection, and new business opportunities.
Will I return to Made Our Show next year? Absolutely!
What’s Next?
This show was an exciting step in expanding my handcrafted silver jewelry wholesale business, and I’m eager to keep growing. If you own a boutique or gallery and are interested in carrying my custom silver jewelry, let’s connect!
📩 Sign up for my newsletter for updates on new collections and trade shows.
📷 Follow me on Instagram for behind-the-scenes looks at my design process.
🛍️ Shop my collections online
Let’s continue celebrating the artistry of handcrafted jewelry together!