Two women smiling at a craft fair booth with handcrafted jewelry and art supplies, surrounded by other booths and shoppers in a large indoor space.
We have over 120 artists, crafters, makers, and creatives of all sorts selling unique items for you to browse.
A display table at a market or shop with various illustrated posters and prints. The posters feature humorous and whimsical text and drawings, including phrases like 'All my friends are witches,' 'Bless these buns,' 'Astrology,' and signs of the zodiac. Some illustrations depict witches, animals, and astrological symbols. There are also small stacks of postcards or flyers in a basket.
You'll find emerging and established vendors when you come shop.
Many of our vendors have been making things for many years, which means the quality of their work is unmatched.
Many of our vendors are new so you might discover something amazing and unexpected.
Person wearing large green glasses, black cap backward, black leather jacket, and blue t-shirt, smiling behind a display of small candles shaped like animals at a fair or market.
A lot of our vendors only sell at Hover Craft, which means you'll come across unique things you won't find at other craft fairs.
Some makers offer custom work on the spot, so you can purchase the perfect piece or experience their craft first hand.
Each year, Hover Craft invites many new vendors to join in, so every shopper will find new things to check out - even if they come year after year.
Everyone who is a vendor makes the work they are selling.
Hover Craft is located in the beautiful and historic Pritzlaff Building. It's centrally located near downtown Milwaukee and the beautiful 3rd Ward Neighborhood.
We are proud to offer a range of bites, snacks, and drinks at the event. Colectivo Coffee will be serving up the best coffee in town. The Pritzlaff bar will be open for sodas, beers, and bloody mary's. There will be a selection of food vendors throughout the event for shoppers to grab a bite.
Hover Craft is a busy place, but to manage the crowd and make the shopping experience as pleasant as possible, we sell timed tickets for people to come to shop.
A smiling man and woman standing behind a table of colorful greeting cards and stationery at an indoor event.
Where you can find perfectly unique and high quality handmade gifts for everyone on your list - while you support local creatives and strengthen our local economy.
Two women are at a jewelry booth at an indoor market. The booth displays necklaces, rings, and other jewelry on mannequins and tables. One woman is seated, smiling, and the other is standing behind the display, also smiling.
Person hanging paper ornaments on a Christmas tree
People gathered at a festive event with red banner decorations hanging from the ceiling, and two women in the foreground engaging in conversation and smiling.
Two smiling people at a craft fair stand selling decorative items, with a table filled with handmade ceramics, ornaments, and small decorative objects, in a festive indoor setting.
Display of various ceramic pottery and bowls on wooden shelves inside a shop, with sunlight coming through window curtains.
A woman behind a table at a market stall with small jars of mustard, labeled "Mustard Queens." The table has a black cloth with colorful polka dots, and a sign on the side reads "Mustard Queens" with decorative flowers and leaves. A person in a dark hoodie with a bag over their shoulder is standing in front of her, and a child with blond hair is in the foreground.
Colorful tassel keychains with alphabet tags hanging on a rustic wooden display stand.
A woman at a craft fair stall with various colorful handmade items, jewelry, and small crafts displayed on the table, engaging with a customer in front of a brick wall.
A young girl with glasses, wearing a gray hoodie with 'RUN.' printed on it, standing near a table with a sign saying 'Cash or Venmo' decorated with a holiday wreath, during a festive event with people in the background.
A woman with dark hair tied up, wearing a patterned long-sleeve shirt, is sitting at a table with two young girls and a table game or cards. The background has shiny metallic streamers and warm lighting.
Two women shopping at a store called "Good Hound." One woman, wearing a Christmas sweater with snowflakes and a reindeer, is holding cash and smiling as she interacts with the other woman, who is wearing glasses and a dark sweater. The store has a clothing rack with hangers and a banner with the store's name and logo in the background.
At an indoor arts and crafts fair, a woman with long dark hair and another woman with short hair sit behind a table displaying artwork and jewelry. The table has small art prints, necklaces, and a neon rainbow light. There are signs with prices and a large banner with the words "Art With Ashlyn" in pink and purple.
"It's the holiday market of all holiday markets."
- Milwaukee Magazine
Our 16th annual event will be on Sunday, December 7 at the Historic Pritzlaff Building in downtown Milwaukee.
Keep in touch:
To make Hover Craft fresh and unique every year, we look for artists, crafters, designers, and makers all year long. We also look for shoppers who like to support our cause. Which are you? Come and sign up and we can stay connected with updates as we get closer to the event.
Interested in being a vendor?
Hover Craft is interested in attracting the most diverse and eclectic makers from Milwaukee and beyond to fill our event. Are you interested in joining us next year? Applications to vend go live on August 1. All the information on how to apply will be available on this website. We collect apps throughout the month and then accepted vendors are notified in September. Sign up to receive an email when applications are available. We want to see what you are making!
Info + Inspo:
Tirelessly promoting handmade in Milwaukee since 2009.
Hover Craft started in 2009 when Ashley, Cortney, and Vanessa came together to create something that gave back to the creative community they were part of. Milwaukee had given them so many chances to grow and explore as artists, and this was their way of returning the favor.
Hover Craft isn’t their job—it’s something they do because they care about keeping Milwaukee’s creative scene strong. We believe that when artists, designers, crafters, and makers have opportunities to show and sell their work, our city becomes more vibrant and more interesting. When people can make a living doing what they love, they’re more likely to stick around and keep building that energy.
Each year, we put together a one-day market that acts like a pop-up storefront for local talent. It’s a space where people can connect directly with makers, see what’s being created in their own neighborhoods, and support that work in a real, tangible way.
We think showing up in person matters. We think spending money on something handmade matters. And we know from experience that a kind word, a thoughtful question, or a purchase can go a long way toward helping someone keep making.
Who is Hover Craft?
Vanessa Andrew
Vanessa Andrew is a Milwaukee-based fiber artist, illustrator, community arts educator, and clothing designer. She runs Madam Chino, a West Allis-based boutique that sells handmade and vintage clothing, and offers custom sewing and alterations. Her approach to clothing and textiles raises awareness about conservation and child labor issues in consumer society. Vanessa is a co-founder of Hover Craft.
Ashley Smith
Ashley Smith is a small business owner and community organizer. She is the co-founder of Hover Craft, Girls Rock MKE, and One Trick Pony. She is also the owner of Alive and Fine vintage store that doubles as a pop-up gallery space.
Cortney Heimerl
Cortney Heimerl is a co-founder of Hover Craft. Over the past two decades, she has produced many events to promote Milwaukee’s creative community including the Wearable Sculpture Fashion Show, the NEWaukee Night Market, Maker Sessions, Maker Market, and many more. When she is not producing opportunities for local makers, she is directing marketing, communications, and design at the Milwaukee Art Museum, or making ceramics at Tooth and Nail in Bay View.
