Artist Qualifications

Handmade Craft Made in the USA & Canada

Jury process required.

The IndieMe Marketplace is a collection of artist-owned studios within the USA and Canada. Regardless of the participating showcase, all artists must qualify as follows:

  • All work, especially main design elements, must be of original design by the artist/studio.
  • No work may be assembled from commercial kits or commercial molds.
  • All work must be made or assembled within the USA or Canada.
  • Want to strengthen your jury readiness? IndieMe Academy helps artists improve wholesale pricing, product photography, product descriptions, and buyer outreach. Explore IndieMe Academy.
Handcrafted glass art example from IndieMe artist

Living in Glass Houses

IndieMe reserves the right to refuse any enrollment for any reason, including not fully meeting these qualification requirements or misrepresentation in the type of work, quality of work, or quality of images presented for screening. After acceptance, artists are expected to continue presenting the same or better photography and must request additional screening before showing new media other than what was presented originally.

Be prepared for the jury process. Take great photos on neutral backgrounds and be sure to price your work for wholesale. Retailers will, on average, price your work at a minimum of 2x (also known as keystoning). Many retailers price at 2.5 and above. Learn more about flat fee vs. commission-based platforms.

Showcases

When applying, each artist must select an appropriate showcase category for their work, which has the following additional requirements:

Our largest showcase featuring handmade crafts in all media.

  • Artists are screened by providing 12 product images, and 1 image of the artist making their work.
  • All work must be at least partially handmade, using some, little or no prefabricated material.
  • All work must be made by the artist, or employees and contractors may be used.

Jewelry artists and designers selling all price ranges.

  • Artists are screened by providing 12 product images, and 1 image of the artist making their work.
  • All work must be at least partially handmade, using some, little or no prefabricated material.
  • All work must be made by the artist, or employees and contractors may be used.
  • Jewelry bead artists must have a minimum of 5 successful/current wholesale accounts and may be asked to supply references.

Handmade wearable art and fashion accessories.

  • Artists are screened by providing 12 product images, and 1 image of the artist making their work.
  • All work must be at least partially handmade, using some, little or no prefabricated material.
  • All work must be made by the artist, or employees and contractors may be used.

Unique candles, soaps, aromatics and well-being products.

  • Artists are screened by providing 12 product images, and 1 image of the artist making their work.
  • All work must be at least partially handmade, using some, little or no prefabricated material.
  • All work must be made by the artist, or employees and contractors may be used.

Prints, photos, cards & unique gifts inspired by original art.

  • Artists are juried by providing 12 product images.
  • All work must be an original design of the artist studio, and may be manufactured/printed with contractors within the USA or Canada.
  • All work must be made by the artist, or employees and contractors may be used.

Highly original handmade work from artists new to the wholesale market.

  • Artists are screened by providing 12 product images, and 1 image of the artist making their work.
  • All work must be at least partially handmade, using some, little or no prefabricated material.
  • All work must be made by the artist, or employees and contractors may be used.
  • Artist must have a limited line of work.
  • Artist is required to have limited experience in the wholesale market, less than 10 wholesale accounts and no trade show exhibition experience.
  • Artist will receive mentoring from staff and artist mentors at no additional cost.

Image Upload Guidelines

IndieMe allows artists to upload multiple images for each product. The platform currently accepts JPEG and TIFF files. Keep each image no larger than 1000 x 1000 pixels and 4 MB. Upload clear, high-quality files so buyers can see the craftsmanship, materials, color, and details of your work.

Product Photography

Strong product photography is essential when presenting and selling your work online. Images should be sharp, well lit, and color accurate. Include at least one clean product image on a neutral background, along with detail or lifestyle images that help buyers understand scale, materials, function, and how the product may look in a retail setting.

Photographing Your Own Work

Professional photography can be helpful, but it is not required. A modern smartphone or digital camera can produce strong product images when you use good lighting, a steady camera, and a thoughtful setup.

Use Soft, Even Lighting

Natural indirect window light or soft photography lights often work well. Avoid harsh shadows, glare, mixed lighting colors, and images that appear too dark or washed out. Check that the colors in the photograph accurately represent the product.

Keep the Camera Steady

Use a tripod or stable surface when possible, especially when photographing small details. Make sure the product is in focus and fills enough of the frame for buyers to see the workmanship clearly.

Use Clean, Consistent Backgrounds

White, gray, black, or another simple neutral background keeps attention on the product. Avoid wrinkled fabric, carpeting, grass, clutter, or reflective surfaces that create glare. Keep your primary product images consistent throughout your collection, then use additional images to show details, scale, color options, and the product in use. If you have questions, please contact us.

Like what you see and ready to join?

Great! Review our artist requirements and select the showcase that best suits your medium. Contact us at any time for additional information. Email us at service@indieme.com or call 888-427-2381.

Apply Now