Picture this: you’re an aspiring artist or craftsperson who has finished several pieces. You figure you could make a little money from your hobby and sell them at a local market. It should be easy. All you need is your work and a table, right?  

Turns out, it’s complicated. It might be exciting to table at a big market where hundreds will encounter your work, but some of Tampa Bay’s biggest festivals have vending fees in the hundreds, or stringent requirements like obtaining sales permits and insurance certificates. 

These are some of the best places to start, according to experienced vendors.

Tampa Zine FestFrequency: AnuallyVending fee: FreeSupply Requirements: As with most of the events you’ll see here, you are expected to bring your own table and chair. In operation for over a decade, Tampa’s premier zine fest brings together hundreds of attendees and over 50 DIY printmakers and artists across Central Florida for a fun night including music performances and poetry slams. Normally held between February and March at Southern Brewery, the 4-hour fest happens in an elegantly lit patio area with ample roofing Photo via Tampa Zine Fest/Facebook
St. Pete Zine FestFrequency: Third Saturday of February annuallyVending fee: Free Supply Requirements: BYO table and chair.Print St. Pete started this fest last year with 40 vendors and 500 attendees at the SPC-Gibbs Campus West Community Library. Activities like panels and workshops are featured throughout the morning and early afternoon.Photo via Print St. Pete Credit: Print St. Pete
Hey MarketFrequency:Third Saturday monthlyVending fee: $20-$25 Supply Requirements: Limited tables and chairs are available to reserve. As far as monthly art markets go, this is as close as you can get to the punk zinester ethos and an artist alley rolled in one poetic toke. With over 30 vendors, this night market is located outside Café Hey in Tampa Heights. Like with Tampa Zine Fest, musical performances are a mainstay that bring in crowds. If you’re vending near the café entrance, there’s shade. Photo via Cafe Hey/Facebook
Daydream Art Market Frequency: Second Saturdays monthly Vending fee: $30-$45 Supply Requirements: Limited tables and chairs are available on a first-come, first-served basis, so bring your own just in case.Organized in tandem with St. Pete Art Walk, the Historic Kenwood-based Daydream Shop & Maker Space goes from 5 p.m.-9 p.m. The 30 vendors host and sell merchandise ranging from artwork to jewelry and homemade recipes. Space is available outdoors in front of the shop and inside the neighboring Hawthorne Bottle Shoppe patio. Photo via Day Dream Instagram
Clearwater Comic Con Frequency: Annually between February and March Vending fee: Free Supply Requirements: None Hosted by the Clearwater Public Library, this convention brings the Floridian comics, cosplay, and fandom community together for an entire day of panels, contests, and even a few C-list celebrity appearances. What more can one ask from a free comic con? Photo via Gimme Stuff/Facebook
Largo Playcon Frequency: Last Saturday of April annually Vending fee: $25+ Supply Requirements: None Playcon is Largo’s local comic con dedicated to celebrating gaming culture, sci-fi/fantasy, anime, and more geekdom galore. In previous years, it was at the Highland Recreation Complex, but this year it was held at the Central Park Performing Arts Center, which had less foot traffic, other vendors noted. Attendance is expected to pick up in the coming years. Photo via City of Largo
Dharma Art Market Frequency: Monthly, generally on third Tuesdays Vending fee: $20 Supply Requirements: Bring a table. Bar chairs are available to borrow but not ideal depending on how tall your table is. Based in Largo’s Dharma Kava Lounge, the 7 p.m.-11 p.m. indoor night market hosted by Sam Salem Witmer is a small yet vibrant space of communal comradery where recurring vendors feel like nomadic residents setting up wherever they please. Raffles are regularly held where vendors can choose to donate an item, with proceeds going to charitable causes like PFLAG Safety Harbor. If you get hungry, Shane is always outside cooking up some fine Southern cuisine. Photo via Dharma Kava Lounge Facebook
Art Alley Frequency: First and third Mondays Vending fee: Free Supply Requirements: Table and chair Taking Artist Alley to a new level, Reservoir Bar’s Art Alley is at a literal street alley behind the bar. As with Dharma Art Market, the area is a wild west for anyone to set up, but with tables and crafts instead of guns and horses. Mc Food Trap is always there preparing delicious hibachi. Photo via Reservoir/Google
Ybor Art Walk Frequency: Every third Saturday. Currently on summer break. Vending fee: Free Supply Requirements: Bring a table. Chair availability varies by bar. Each month in historic Ybor City, bars and other venues throughout 7th Avenue open their space for art vendors to sell their wares from 2 p.m.-6 p.m. In a neighborhood as diverse as Ybor City, you can choose wherever suits the vibe you’re going for. Whether it’s the gothic aesthetics of SpookEasy Lounge or the swashbuckling pirate backdrop of Gaspar’s Grotto, there’s no shortage of eclectic choices. Contact @sippinprettytampa for more information. Photo via Juan Fontanez Jr./Facebook
Tampa Local Market Frequency: Usually four times a month Vending fee: $20-$40 Supply Requirements: A table. Chair availability varies by market. Andrea Ponce is probably one of the busiest market organizers in the Bay area. This market’s location varies but generally is at a Tampa or St. Pete-based brewery for 3-4 hours. Attendance is normally low, but buyers tend to purchase in high volumes! They can be inside or outdoors, so it’s a good idea to bring water and a fan. Photo via
Steep Station St. Pete Frequency: Tuesdays from 7 p.m.-1 a.m. Vending fee: Free Supply Requirements: Table and chair The Steep Station kava bar in Historic Kenwood opens part of its parking space to vendors every Tuesday, first-come, first-served, in a spectacle of DJs rocking the lot and stunt performers doing feats like fire-juggling. Photo via Steep Station St.Pete/Facebook
ACEcon Frequency: Annually in March Vending fee: Free Supply Requirements: None The Palm Harbor Library has been hosting its two-day anime con for a decade. While the audience definitely skews towards teens (I was the only adult in one panel), it’s well-organized and attracts a decent crowd for its size. Photo via ACEcon/Facebook Credit: ACEcon/Facebook
Broderick Comic Con Frequency: Annually in January Vending fee: Free Supply Requirements: None Richard Brock started this neighborhood convention last year at the Broderick Recreation Center in Pinellas Park, focusing on comic books, toys, and card-collecting fandom. As with Clearwater Comic Con and ACEcon, it’s free to attend and vend, making it a perfect first-time comic con. Photo via City of Pinellas Park Recreation Services/Facebook
New Moons Makers Market Frequency: Last Sunday of the month. Currently on summer break. Vending fee: $50-$115 Supply Requirements: Table and chair Organizers Artie and Emily breed a welcoming, relaxed environment of positive vibes at the progressive Allendale United Methodist Church. The staff is also very communicative and accommodating towards disability needs. Photo via New Moon Makers’ Market/Instagram
The Big Bend Market Frequency: Twice a month Vending fee: $50-$60 Supply Requirements: Bring a chair. Tables are provided in limited supply. Based around Tampa and Ruskin, The Big Bend Market is a vendor-friendly experience that features a variety of makers selling products, including food, drinks, jewelry, self-care items, etc. Liz, the organizer, is very communicative and helpful with getting things set up. Since the location varies and can be indoors or outdoors, bring what you need to stay cool. Photo via The Big Bend Market/Facebook

Samuel Edme is a Haitian-American writer and cartoonist whose work has appeared in publications such as Shadowbanned Magazine, Solrad, The Comics Beat, Freaky Mag and more.