Hobby and Crafts Stores Trade Associations

American Association of Woodturners (AAW)

Principal U.S. organization supporting the craft of woodturning through education, events, and a nationwide chapter network; useful to craft retailers that sell wood tools, lathes, finishes, and classes.

https://www.woodturner.org Membership: 15,000

American Gem Trade Association (AGTA)

Trade association for the colored gemstone and cultured pearl industry; connects bead/jewelry suppliers and retailers via shows, standards, and education.

https://agta.org Membership: 1,000

American Specialty Toy Retailing Association (ASTRA)

Not-for-profit trade association for specialty toy retailers, makers, and reps; offers Marketplace & Academy trade show, education, and retailer programs that overlap with many hobby stores.

https://www.astratoy.org Membership: 1,800

Craft Industry Alliance

Business-to-business organization for craft professionals (retailers, suppliers, brands, and creators) offering industry news, education, discounts, and a 2,000+ member directory to help stores partner with suppliers and educators.

https://craftindustryalliance.org Membership: 2,000

Craft Retailers & Artists for Tomorrow (CRAFT)

U.S. trade association that champions the business of handmade in America—uniting craft retailers, artists, shows, suppliers, and allied groups—and produces education, advocacy, and American Craft Week promotions.

https://craftonline.org Membership: 200

Craft Yarn Council (CYC)

Industry council of leading yarn, needlecraft, and accessory companies that promotes knit/crochet participation and standards; a resource hub for yarn shops and craft chains.

https://www.craftyarncouncil.com Membership: 20

Fabric Shop Network (FabShop Retailers’ Association)

Retailers’ association serving independent fabric and quilt shops with education, buying programs, marketing (e.g., FabShop Hop), forums, and a shop-local directory.

https://www.fabshopnet.com Membership: 400

Game Manufacturers Association (GAMA)

Nonprofit trade group for the tabletop games industry with a retail member division—training, best-practices, and the GAMA Expo trade show that many hobby game stores rely on.

https://www.gama.org Membership: 1,000

Greeting Card Association (GCA)

U.S. trade association for greeting card and social expression publishers and suppliers; runs the *Noted expo and Louie Awards and provides research and retailer outreach that benefits card aisles in craft stores.

https://www.greetingcard.org Membership: 230

Handcrafted Soap and Cosmetic Guild (HSCG)

Nonprofit trade association for handcrafted soap, cosmetic, and candle makers—education, advocacy (MoCRA), insurance, and a large maker directory many craft stores source from.

https://www.soapguild.org Membership: 3,600

Hobby Manufacturers Association (HMA)

U.S. manufacturers’ association for the model hobby sector (RC, model railroading, plastic & diecast); coordinates industry standards (SMC codes), promotion, and advocacy impacting hobby retailers.

https://www.hmahobby.org Membership: 60

International Art Materials Association (Namta)

International association for art and craft materials manufacturers, distributors, reps, and retailers; produces Creativation by Namta and provides advocacy, research, and retailer resources.

https://www.namta.org Membership: 787

Modern Quilt Guild (MQG)

Global guild for modern quilting with extensive education and events (e.g., QuiltCon); helpful to quilt/fabric shops for community engagement and class programming.

https://www.themodernquiltguild.com Membership: 18,000

National Candle Association (NCA)

Major U.S. trade association for candle manufacturers and suppliers—standards (ASTM), safety research, advocacy, and an annual conference; relevant to candle supply aisles in craft stores.

https://candles.org Membership: 100

National Model Railroad Association (NMRA)

Nonprofit serving the scale model railroading community worldwide with standards, education, and the National Train Show—core audience for model rail and scenery carried by hobby shops.

https://www.nmra.org Membership: 16,000

National Retail Federation (NRF)

World’s largest retail trade association spanning 17,000+ member companies; provides advocacy, research, and councils relevant to specialty and craft retailers.

https://nrf.com Membership: 17,000

National Retail Hobby Stores Association (NRHSA)

Association of brick-and-mortar hobby retailers; provides supplier discounts, shop-owner forums, Zoom roundtables, and the NRHSA Table-Top Expo.

https://www.nrhsa.org Membership: 275

Professional Picture Framers Association (PPFA)

International trade organization for the art and framing industry offering certification (CPF/MCPF), retailer listings, education, and an annual convention aligned with West Coast Art & Frame.

https://ppfa.com Membership: 2,000

Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA)

U.S. trade association for leading retailers focused on advocacy (ORC, trade, payments), executive councils, and best-practice sharing—useful to larger hobby/craft chains.

https://www.rila.org Membership: 200

The Toy Association

U.S. toy industry’s primary trade association with 900+ member companies; advocacy, safety standards leadership, market research, and events (Toy Fair) that overlap with many hobby retailers.

https://www.toyassociation.org Membership: 900