Cleveland, Ohio | August 22, 2026
IndieMe Marketplace closed its 14th Virtual Expo
on a strong note following a full week of steady wholesale ordering,
larger-than-expected purchases and continued buyer engagement.
Originally scheduled for August 12–18, the event was extended
through August 19 at the request of buyers who wanted additional
time to complete their orders.
Order activity remained strong throughout the event, offering an
encouraging signal for independent artists and retailers navigating
an uncertain economy. Rather than concentrating activity into a
single opening day, buyers continued browsing, returning to artist
stores and placing orders throughout the Expo.
For IndieMe Owner Jacqueline Adamany, the response reinforced a
broader shift she has been observing across the handcrafted
wholesale industry.
Going into the Expo, I was watching the economy closely and wondering
how buyers would respond. What we saw instead was steady ordering
throughout the event, meaningful purchases and buyers asking for
more time. It was a strong reminder that retailers are still looking
for unique, well-made handcrafted products and are willing to invest
in the artists creating them.
Jacqueline Adamany
Owner, IndieMe Marketplace
Strong results from both sides of the marketplace
Feedback from participating artists and buyers reflected the
strength of the event.
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Strong artist results
Participating artist Brian described the August Virtual Expo as
his strongest event ever, adding that it performed even better
for him than his in-person events.
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Enthusiastic buyer response
Buyer Kristen called it “one of the best Expos to date”
and said the experience made her even more excited for the
IndieMe Experience in Baltimore.
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Consistent ordering
Wholesale orders continued throughout the event rather than
being concentrated only at the beginning of Expo week.
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An extra day for buyers
The Expo was extended through August 19 after buyers asked for
additional time to complete their shopping and orders.
A broader resurgence in handcrafted wholesale
The August Expo results come as IndieMe continues to see renewed
interest in handcrafted products among retailers looking for
merchandise with originality, quality and a genuine connection
to the person who made it.
Independent retailers are increasingly looking for products that
help their stores feel distinctive rather than interchangeable.
For handcrafted artists, that creates an important advantage:
their work carries a story, a point of view and a connection to
the maker that mass-produced merchandise cannot replicate.
Handcrafted is having a moment again. Buyers want product that
feels different. They want to know who made it, why it was made
and what makes it worth bringing into their stores. That is where
independent artists have an incredible advantage.
Jacqueline Adamany
Owner, IndieMe Marketplace
The IndieMe Marketplace Virtual Expo gives qualified retail buyers
a dedicated online environment where they can discover participating
artists, explore new collections, shop event specials and place
wholesale orders directly through the IndieMe Marketplace.
Buyers can browse on their own schedule, return throughout the
week, revisit artist stores and complete orders when it works for
their businesses. Participating artists remain in control of their
stores, pricing, terms and Expo specials.
The format is part of IndieMe’s larger commitment to creating
more ways for independent retailers and handcrafted artists to find,
connect with and do business with one another.
What’s next for IndieMe
The next IndieMe Marketplace Virtual Expo will take place
January 13–19, 2027, continuing the online
buying event with a new season of handcrafted wholesale discovery.
IndieMe is also preparing for
The IndieMe Experience at American Craft Made Baltimore,
February 19–21, 2027. The curated wholesale presence
will bring IndieMe artists into the American Craft Council’s
long-running Baltimore event and give qualified retail buyers
another way to discover and order handcrafted work.
Together, the Virtual Expo, year-round IndieMe Marketplace and
IndieMe Experience reflect a broader strategy centered on making
handcrafted wholesale more visible, accessible and connected.
Next Virtual Expo: January 13–19, 2027
Seven days of handcrafted wholesale discovery connecting
independent retailers with juried artists from across the
United States and Canada.
Learn About the Virtual Expo