In 1974, six craftspeople came together with an idea born from a shared passion to form what would become the Dartmouth Handcrafters Guild. This non-profit organization has grown through the years to serve over 170 craftspeople annually who, through Guild membership, have the opportunity to participate in the annual craft show. This annual event provides an opportunity for makers to display and sell a wide variety of crafts as well as an opportunity to meet and share with fellow craftspeople.
The volunteer run Guild always held in-person meetings the third Tuesday of January, Februrary, March, April, May, June, September, October, & November. January being the month for the Annual General Meeting. During 2020, meetings began to be conducted through virtual online video conference platforms due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Each year the Guild donates proceeds of the show to local charities, a tradition which forms part of the reason for the show’s creation: To support our handcrafters and give back to the community through charitable giving. Since it’s inception, the guild has donated over $250,000 to over 90 charities across Nova Scotia.
December 2019 saw a significant change of the Dartmouth Handcrafters Guild when the then serving Board decided it was time to step down after many years of service. A whole new Board took over to begin a new chapter in the long history of the Guild. In 2024 the Board voted to partner with the Darwin Event Group to manage the show in keeping with the same goals and direction that the show has always maintained but to move the show dates to November closer to the traditional Christmas shopping season.