Join the Craftcation Crew!

VOLUNTEERING AT CRAFTCATION IS A GREAT WAY TO ATTEND OUR CONFERENCE ON A BUDGET, GIVE BACK TO the CREATIVE COMMUNITY, MEET NEW PEOPLE AND HAVE FUN!

It takes a village to create a conference of this magnitude and, as a result, we rely heavily on our volunteers to help make it all happen. The Craftcation Crew program trades volunteer work days in exchange for complimentary registration to our conference. Work days are long, messy, and tiring. It’s not for everyone but a great way to attend if up for the challenge!


We are currently seeking reliable volunteers who:

  • Are comfortable in a fast-paced environment
  • Are able to roll with the punches
  • Understand the role our conference plays in the creative community
  • Will effectively represent the spirit of the Dear Handmade Life/ Craftcation mission and brand of inclusion, encouragement and community to our attendees.

VOLUNTEER REQUIREMENTS*:

Minimum Age

16+, under 18 requires legal guardian as registered attendee

Commitment

Minimum of 2 shifts, see department descriptions

Training

TBD

Dates

  • Decor Prep in Brea, CA: March 4 – 8, 2024
  • Event Prep in Brea, CA: March 18 – 27, 2024
  • Conference Setup: March 31 – April 2, 2024
  • Conference: April 3 – April 7, 2024
  • Conference Tear Down: April 7, 2024
  • See department descriptions for specific shift dates and times

*Some departments may have their own set of requirements. See department notes for more info.

what is included in my complimentary registration?

  • Access to over 200+ craft, sewing, business and wellness workshops and activities
  • After hours parties, hangouts and special events
  • Our highly coveted gift bag filled with FREE goodies from our sponsors, presenters and freinds
  • An invitation to join our exclusive online communities for Craftcation Alumni on Facebook and Slack

PLEASE NOTE:

  • All crew members are responsible for their own travel and accommodation expenses. Discounted rooms at the conference venue are available to all registered attendees, including Crew members, and are available on a first come first served basis.
  • While we would love to accept everyone into the Craftcation Crew, most of our positions REQUIRE being able to stand for long periods of time, lift 30+ pounds and move without limitations.
  • If you are currently registered for Craftcation 2024 and would like to join the Crew, we can defer your paid registration to another year and add you to this year’s Crew. We are not able to provide refunds for paid registration.
  • Crew member spaces are limited and available on a first come, first served basis.
  • Submitting an application does NOT guarantee acceptance.

WHICH DEPARTMENT IS RIGHT FOR ME?

There is truly something for every skillset. We have positions across several different departments. Each of these departments includes different service opportunities and requirements. 

  • Event Prep shifts take place at our warehouse in Brea, CA in the weeks leading up to the conference. This department requires a commitment of 3 shifts. Crew in this department focuses on inventorying, organizing and packing supplies as well as creating and packing decor.
  • The Setup and Teardown department requires a commitment of 2 shifts. This department is responsible for unloading the moving truck into the hotel before the conference, distributing supplies and decor to their respective locations at the venue as well as tearing down at the end of the conference and loading up the moving truck.
  • The Craft Workshop Support crew requires a commitment of 2 shifts during the conference. These volunteers assist with daily classroom setup, cleanup between workshops, presenter support and more.
  • The Attendee Check-In department requires a commitment of 2 shifts (Wed and Thursday only of our conference) and is focused on welcoming attendees, answering questions, giving directions and being an inviting presence to our attendees.
  • The AV and Tech Support positions require a commitment of 2 shifts during the conference. These volunteers work to set up projectors, operate presentations, provide handouts to attendees, support our AV manager at after-hours special events, etc.
  • The Events & Decor department requires a commitment of 4 after-hours shifts at our special events. These volunteers decorate our events and ensure these areas are cleaned up in preparation for the next day’s workshops.
  • The Pop-Up Shop department requires a commitment of 2 shifts during the conference. These volunteers are responsible for inventorying, merchandising, decorating and running the Pop-Up shop.

Departments and shifts - Expand each section to see remaining shifts:

AVAILABLE SHIFTS – (10am – 5pm):

  • March 4 – March 8, 2024 – SHIFTS FULL
  • March 18 – March 22, 2024 – SHIFTS FULL
  • March 27 – March 28, 2024

RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE (but are not limited to):

  • Painting, building, fabricating, and packing event decor
  • Gathering, packing, and labeling class supplies using lists provided by Craftcation staff
  • Loading supplies and decor into a 26’ moving truck

COMMITMENT:

  • 3 (approx 8 hour) shifts in exchange for complimentary registration

REQUIREMENTS: 

  • Be at least 18 years of age
  • Be able to lift up to 35 pounds
  • Be able to climb in and out of our moving truck
  • Remain on your feet for long periods of time
  • General craft knowledge

AVAILABLE SHIFTS:

  • March 31, 2024 (12pm – 6pm)*
  • April 1, 2024 (10am – 6pm)**
  • April 2, 2024 (10am – 6pm)**
  • April 7, 2024 (9am – 6pm)***

RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE (but are not limited to):

  • March 31 ONLY – Load-IN*
    • Work with the Craftcation team to unload our 26′ U-Haul and on-site storage unit. 
    • Transport supplies, equipment, decor, furniture, etc. from the hotel loading dock and distribute to its respective classroom, area, etc.
    • Decorating, building shelves and other furniture, setting up classrooms to host craft workshops and more.
  • APRIL 1 & 2 ONLY – SETUP**
    • Assist the Craftcation department managers in setting up the conference. 
    • Decorating, building shelves and other furniture, packing gift bags, setting up classrooms to host craft workshops and more.
  • APRIL 7 ONLY – TEARDOWN/LOAD OUT***
    • Tear down furniture and shelving
    • Pack up supplies and equipment and more before 
    • Packing everything back in the truck in the hotel loading dock

COMMITMENT:

  • 2 shifts in exchange for complimentary registration

REQUIREMENTS: 

  • Be at least 18 years of age
  • Be able to lift up to 35 pounds
  • Be able to climb in and out of our moving truck
  • Remain on your feet for long periods of time
  • Be able to move around the venue quickly

AVAILABLE SHIFTS:

  • April 3, 2024 (9am – 6pm) – SHIFTS FULL
  • April 4, 2024 (8am – 6pm) – SHIFTS FULL
  • April 5, 2024 (8am – 6pm) – SHIFTS FULL
  • April 6, 2024 (8am – 6pm) 
  • April 7, 2024 (8am – 6pm)

RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE (but are not limited to):

  • Unpacking and organizing supplies in classrooms
  • Setting up supplies in classrooms before each workshop begins
  • Checking-in attendees for their workshops
  • “Flipping” classrooms in preparation for the next setup 
  • Cleaning up supplies used (ex: paint brushes, dye buckets, paper trash)
  • Potentially assisting the teacher and students during the workshop
  • Tearing down classrooms, packing up supplies, loading truck (April 7 only)

COMMITMENT:

  • 2 shifts in exchange for complimentary registration

REQUIREMENTS: 

  • Ability to receive texts and calls from department managers before the conference and during your shifts (no shared cell phones)
  • Ability to remain calm under pressure
  • Top notch customer service skills
  • General craft knowledge
  • Ability to lift 30lb

REQUIRED SHIFTS:

  • April 3, 2024 (9am – 5pm) – SHIFTS FULL
  • April 4, 2024 (8am – 5pm) – SHIFTS FULL

RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE (but are not limited to):

  • Checking in attendees upon arrival
  • Distributing lanyards and gift bags to attendees
  • Assisting attendees with any questions they may have about the conference
  • Closing check-in table at the end of the day

COMMITMENT:

  • 2 shifts in exchange for complimentary registration – see required shifts above

REQUIREMENTS: 

  • Must have a great attitude, be welcoming and inviting to our guests
  • Prior attendance of the conference is greatly appreciated
  • You may be asked to assist in a different department after check-in closes if the need arises. Please come prepared to be flexible.

AVAILABLE SHIFTS:

  • April 2, 2024 (10am – 5pm)
  • April 3, 2024 (10am – 6pm) 
  • April 4, 2024 (8am – 6pm) – SHIFTS FULL
  • April 5, 2024 (8am – 6pm) – SHIFTS FULL
  • April 6, 2024 (8am – 6pm) – SHIFTS FULL
  • April 7, 2024 (9am – 6pm)

RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE (but are not limited to):

  • Prepping workshops requiring AV support
  • Setting up and assisting with digital presentations
  • Distributing handouts to attendees 
  • Assist presenters with any technical issues that arise
  • Closing the conference, packing supplies and equipment, loading the moving truck (April 7 only)

COMMITMENT:

  • 2 shifts in exchange for complimentary registration – see required shifts above

REQUIREMENTS: 

  • Technology savvy
  • Understanding of both Mac and PC operating systems

REQUIRED SHIFTS:

  • April 3, 2024 (5pm – 10pm) – SHIFTS FULL
  • April 4, 2024 (6:30pm – 10:30pm) – SHIFTS FULL
  • April 5, 2024 (6pm – 9pm) – SHIFTS FULL
  • April 6, 2024 (6pm – 9pm) – SHIFTS FULL

RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE (but are not limited to):

  • Setting up and tearing down of special events
  • Clean up event areas after event ends in preparation for the next day’s workshops
  • Installing decor
  • Unpacking, organizing, and setting up supplies for make and takes
  • Potentially assisting with the facilitation of make and take crafts

COMMITMENT:

  • 4* shifts in exchange for complimentary registration (see required shifts outlined above)

REQUIREMENTS: 

  • Be able to creatively solve problems and roll with the punches
  • Be able to move around the venue quickly
  • Bonus points for night owls with an attention to detail

AVAILABLE SHIFTS:

  • April 3, 2024 (9:30am – 6:30pm) – SHIFTS FULL
  • April 4, 2024 (8:00am – 6:30pm) – SHIFTS FULL
  • April 5, 2024 (8:00am – 6:30pm) – SHIFTS FULL
  • April 6, 2024 (8:00am – 6:30pm) – SHIFTS FULL

RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE (but are not limited to):

  • Replenish merchandise and freshen up displays
  • Customer service: ringing up customers, helping them find items, suggesting products 
  • Welcome customers to the pop-up shop

COMMITMENT:

  • 2 shifts in exchange for complimentary registration

REQUIREMENTS: 

  • Ability to remain calm under pressure when the shop gets busy
  • Excellent customer service skills
  • Ability to use an app to process payments
  • Friendly and welcoming demeanor 
  • Basic math skills

Please fill out the form below in its entirety.  (Note: if the form is still open below, we are still accepting applications. Submitting an application does not guarantee acceptance.) You must press the SUBMIT button at the bottom of this form for your answers to be submitted successfully. Once you press submit, a confirmation screen will appear in place of the form, which will confirm that your application has been submitted successfully. (Note: You may have to scroll up to see the confirmation.) If there are any issues with your form submission, or if you do not see a confirmation page, please email katiemac@dearhandmadelife.com


The Process:

  • A member of our team will review your application.
  • If approved, you will be notified and confirmed to a department.
  • Once confirmed, we will get you registered and your shifts scheduled. 

Thank you so much for helping us make this an amazing experience! Let’s make this the best Craftcation ever!

 

*By submitting the application below, you are agreeing to the terms outlined on this page.

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