Destash
VENDOR APPLICATION BELOW - Closes April 8th
Not your typical maker market.
DESTASH runs on a different set of expectations and a few key rules.
First—what is DESTASH?
DESTASH began in 2016 as a humble, grassroots gathering—just a dozen local maker friends and our baby handmade businesses, coming together to clear out imperfect art pieces and extra supplies in order to fund new work.
It also doubled as our annual Customer Appreciation Party! Everyone brought something to share with our guests from fresh-baked cookies to Bloody Mary fixins. It was hosted at the Permanent Baggage studio and boutique—a space that, while now closed, helped spark something much bigger than we could have imagined.
The event has continued to grow over the years with makers of all types coming together for a day of destashing our imperfect art and supplies, to nurture camaraderie among small businesses owners and to most genuinely thank our community for their support. Makers of all levels are encouraged to apply however we do give preference to those who are supporting themselves through the sale of their work either part or full-time.
**Note that "destashing" is different than just putting a sale on your normal, perfectly sellable handmade goods-that's a big NO-NO. Save those pieces for your shops or shows where you can get full price. Destash should be used as a TOOL to sell off -UNWANTED ITEMS- EVERYTHING IN YOUR BOOTH MUST BE DISCOUNTED, if not DEEPLY. This is what's advertised to our patrons and what is expected.
At Destash, you can sell- your slightly flawed or imperfect items, your out of season items, your experiments/prototypes, pieces you've become bored with, old branding AND your EXCESS SUPPLIES. In the past some makers have created a product from their scrap that they only sell during Destash or put together surprise goodie bags. The idea is to get creative with it, make it fun, and share that energy with the community. Make it forward.
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HOW DESTASH WORKS:
Each participant is asked to share stories, posts or reels about the unique studio finds you plan to bring. These will be further shared on social media and may also be used in additional paid advertisements.
The MKE Destash Event pages on Instagram and Facebook will serve as the central hubs for advertising the event where ALL participants work collectively to post your Destash offerings the weeks leading up to the event.
Each participant is also strongly encouraged to submit a Directory Listing—a post on your own feed that leads with your logo and highlights the deals you’ll be offering.
That post will then be shared to the Destash Instagram feed, where it becomes part of a detailed, scrollable roster of participating makers. This makes it easy for patrons to browse your offers, discover your work and add you to their shopping list!
Each vendor who submits a qualifying Directory Listing has the opportunity to have a $20 partnership ad put behind it on social media. Directory Listings are a big portion of our advertisement budget, which I LOVE because it directly advertises YOU alongside the event. Check out our Instagram feed here to see previous event rosters.
CLICK FOR
2026 MADISON DESTASH
VENDOR APPLICATION
BE SURE TO KEEP AN EYE ON OUR
PAGES FOR Event Updates
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***WE RECOMMEND GETTING TICKETS IN ADVANCE**
EXPRESS SCAN LINES WILL MOVE MUCH FASTER THAN THE TICKET SALES LINE
TICKET SALES AT THE GATE ARE CASH OR CREDIT CARD ONLY
MAKE SURE TO CHECK TICKET TIME AVAILABILITY BEFORE ARRIVING
TICKET ENTRY TIMES WILL SELL OUT
STROLLERS ARE DISCOURAGED DURING EARLIER ENTRY TIMES
THREE TICKET ENTRY TIMES THIS YEAR TO HELP SPREAD OUT THE CROWD
WITH PERKS FOR LUCKY WINNERS AT EACH ENTRY TIME
11 AM - EARLY BIRD
This entry time enjoys a Complimentary Bloody Mary or Mimosa for the first 200 through the door along with a live sound experience from Renee Bebeau et al. Please arrive early to have your ticket scanned and be ready to enter the Fest Hall at your selected entry time. You’ll have about 2 hours to shop. No one will force you out if you stay longer — just know that 750 eager shoppers will be entering behind you.
1 PM - Scratch Off Surprise!
This entry time enjoys a Scratch Off Surprise for the first 150 through the door. Lucky winners will receive a scratch off ticket valued at $1 $5 $10 OR a special surprise from one of 50 participating vendors. Seek out their booth to claim your prize. Please arrive early to have your ticket scanned and be ready to enter the Fest Hall at your selected entry time. You’ll have about 2 hours to shop. No one will force you out if you stay longer — just know that 750 eager shoppers will be entering behind you.
3 PM - Power Hours!!
This entry time enjoys Additional Discounts on remaining items from participating makers. Please arrive early to have your ticket scanned and be ready to enter the Fest Hall at your selected entry time. You’ll have about 2 hours to shop. No one will force you out if you stay longer — just know that 750 eager shoppers will be entering behind you.
The Bavarian Bierhaus full restaurant and bar will be open for service until 8 PM.
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