1. Who can participate in Amata events?
2. What documents are needed?
3. Does everything have to be handmade?
4. Can handmade items from other countries be sold?
5. What type of quality is Amata looking for?
7. How does the selection of artisans for an Amata fair work?
8. Is there room for me at all the fairs?
9. I'm admitted to a fair, but something happened. What do I do?
10. How does the fair setup work?
11. What sanctions does Amata apply?
1. Who can participate in Amata events?
Any artisan, Spanish or foreign, residing in Spain, who makes his or her own material, whose work is of good quality and who shares Amata's general intentions of promoting crafts in a pleasant and collaborative way.
However, Amata's fairs/markets are not for large collectives, representatives of "craft factories" or companies/people who sell imported crafts.
2. What documents are needed?
Spanish law requires specific documentation to realize any economic activity. It is everyone's responsibility to comply with these regulations. However, Amata can advise you if you are a beginner, pensioner or hobbyist.
On the other hand, having all your paperwork in order and possessing your Artisan's Card (or equivalent) is no guarantee that Amata will accept you into their fairs. Amata's most important criteria are the quality and originality of your work, and these are determined by the pieces you display, not by your documentation. That's why we ask for photos/videos of your products and the production process.
3. Does everything have to be handmade?
Yes, and furthermore, the products must not only be handmade, but handmade by you, with the possible help of only one assistant or partner. Minor or secondary parts can be purchased, but they should never make up the major part of the finished product.
Amata reserves the right to inspect the artisan's workshop and tools, and to monitor the materials and items. Photos of the artisan working in the workshop are not necessarily proof that everything displayed on the table was handmade by the artisan at the stall.
4. Can handmade items from other countries be sold?
Amata understands that poor people in Third World countries need as much help as can be obtained, but Amata's purpose is to support artisans who live and work in Spain.
Amata does not allow any kind of resale. Not even when it involves products made by friends or family, nor for the purpose of helping poor people abroad.
5. What type of quality is Amata looking for?
Amata prefers handmade items crafted to a standard, not a price. We prefer unique pieces to a series of copies of one or two designs.
Obviously, artisans need to make a living from their sales, so it's perfectly acceptable to mix high-quality items, which are harder to sell, with other items that, while not so elaborate, are easier to sell, as long as the latter don't take up the entire stall. We don't like flea market-style stalls, so the offerings at each stall should be limited to no more than one or two types of products or related materials.
6. And what about food?
Amata organizes craft fairs and themed markets (which are also craft fairs!). At some craft fairs food stalls are not permitted. At others, and at themed markets, Amata allows a number of stalls selling food products such as cheeses, cured meats, nuts, pastries, and homemade bread, in addition to other stalls selling food and drinks for immediate consumption, such as beer, grilled meats, seafood, crepes, tea, etc. At each market, we only allow one stall of each type of food.
7. How does the selection of artisans for an Amata fair work?
When a fair is confirmed, we publish it on our website under "Upcoming Events." We also send notices and invitations to artisans who live near the town where the fair will be held. These notices are non-binding: neither the artisan is obliged to participate, nor is Amata obliged to accept them. We generally send two or three times more invitations than there are available spaces, and the notice includes a deadline for returning the application if you're interested in participating. When you submit your application, a confirmation message will appear on your screen indicating that we've received it. We don't send a separate email confirming receipt!
After the deadline, we evaluate the applications received and make a selection, ensuring the widest variety of products and avoiding duplicate materials. In this selection, we consider the following aspects:
- originality and authenticity of the products (we give priority to people with unique pieces),
- presentation and display of the stall,
- if the artisan works at the stall, and
- punctuality of the artisan on previous occasions.
If we receive more applications than there are available spaces, or several applications with the same product/material, we will give priority to members and look at participation in other fairs (we take turns, to avoid the same artisans always being left out).
We notify everyone whether they are accepted or not.
If you're interested in a craft fair and haven't received our email, please let us know as soon as possible so we can send you the application before the deadline. If the deadline has already passed, you can still apply for a space, but we can only accept you if there's still space available and no other stall has been accepted with the same (or similar) products.
8. Is there room for me at all the fairs?
At the Amata fairs, there are between 20 and 65 stalls, depending on the space and the expected number of visitors. Generally, the larger the village or town, the more stalls there will be. To make the fair more appealing to the public and to give artisans a better chance of selling, we strive to offer the widest possible variety of products and avoid overusing identical or similar items. We also don't want to organize fairs where 80% of the stalls sell earrings, bracelets, and necklaces.
For each fair, we send more applications than there are available spaces (see question 7). For some fairs we receive fewer applications than for others, depending on the dates and the fair's reputation. For certain products (especially jewelry, but also leather goods, crochet, soaps, etc.), so many artisans apply that they have to take turns. Therefore, we cannot guarantee your participation in all the fairs you apply for. The more original your work, the better your chances.
9. I'm admitted to a fair, but something has happened. What do I do?
If something happens (accident, illness, storm, snow, car trouble) preventing you from coming, inform Amata as soon as possible. There's usually a waiting list of people eager to take your place.
Obviously, if this happens too often, Amata will ask you for a deposit and will not guarantee your spot until they receive it.
Failing to show up without notice (neither before nor after the fair) may affect your admission to future fairs.
10. How does the fair setup work?
At the designated setup time, an Amata organizer will be at the fairgrounds to welcome the artisans and show them to their assigned spaces. We make a plan of the entire fair, assigning a space to each participant. Whenever possible, we allocate special spaces for people with specific needs (next to a friend, easily accessible for people with disabilities, horizontal spaces for certain types of materials, etc.). However, it is essential that you inform us of these preferences in your application or at least one week before the fair.
The setup time is always flexible, and you don't need to arrive first thing in the morning. We ask that you respect this, keeping in mind:
- You cannot enter the fairgrounds with your vehicle before the designated time (if you arrive early, please find nearby parking and wait until you can enter).
- If we schedule a lunch break (the organizer needs to eat too!), for example, from 2:00 till 3:30 pm, please do not arrive at 1:55 pm or later!
- You must be ready to open to the public at the designated time (all your stall and products set up, and you, if applicable, dressed according to the fair's theme).
- Upon arrival, park your vehicle so that it doesn't obstruct others. Locate the organizer, who will tell you where to set up, how to get there, and where to park.
- Once you know where to set up, park your van so that, if possible, it doesn't block access for others. In any case, you must unload all the stall's components and materials and park the van before you begin setting up your stall.
- If you know you're going to be late, call the organizer to let them know as soon as possible.
11. What sanctions does Amata apply?
Amata strives to create a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere at its fairs and markets. Occasionally, problems arise, or the behavior of one or more people disrupts this atmosphere. The only sanction Amata can apply is simply not inviting the individuals involved to future fairs. In exceptional cases, we may require the artisan to dismantle their stall and leave.
Amata prefers that artisans:
1. don´t have resale products at their stalls; this can be easily resolved by removing such items from the table
2. don´t argue with their neighbours about the space they occupy or the type of products they sell. If you believe there is a problem, please inform the organizer so a solution can be found.
3. don´t wear street clothes and shoes, wristwatches, or mobile phones at themed markets.
12. Where to eat and sleep during the market or fair?
On days when the fair is open morning and afternoon, Amata usually organizes a main meal at midday, for example, salad, paella, and a glass of wine or soft drink, for only € 5. Around 11:00 am, someone will go from stall to stall selling tickets, in case you'd like to eat with Amata. There's no obligation; it's simply a friendly service.
Many artisans sleep in their vans. Sometimes the town hall provides places to sleep (bring your own airbed and sleeping bag) and even showers, but don't count on it. We advise you to check with us before booking expensive accommodation.
13. How much does it cost?
Amata is interested in promoting original crafts. Generally, higher quality means lower profits. In the interest of quality, Amata tries to keep costs for artisans as low as possible. At most of its fairs, Amata asks artisans for 10% of their sales to supplement the amount paid by the City Council. In the few cases where artisans have to pay something extra, the amount is always clearly indicated on the invitations.
14. Is there security?
Almost all events last two or three days. If the City Council doesn't hire security, it usually instructs the local police to patrol the grounds during the night(s), but of course, two or three security guards/police officers can't watch all the stalls at all times. For this reason, Amata almost always organizes a preventative night watch among the fair's participants. You can indicate in your application if you're interested in doing a watch shift.
15. Is there insurance?
Amata has a general liability insurance for the public at fairs and markets. This insurance does not cover incidents related to the sale of cosmetics or food for immediate or later consumption, so each stall selling cosmetics or food will need individual insurance and the necessary documentation for the insurance to be valid.
16. Can I work during the fair?
Absolutely! Amata considers it very important that the public can see the participants at work. For this reason, Amata does not charge a stall fee for the space occupied by the work tables.
The reasons are:
1. So that the public can see the time it takes to make things by hand, and therefore appreciate why handmade products are more expensive than mass-produced ones.
2. So that everyone can see that everything at each stall is made by the artisan in that stall.
3. Because it is interesting to observe the craft-making process, which is often a good reason to visit the fair/market.