Crafts
hunniapple
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Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
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s/o Post on Meh Quilts at Fair - Disappointing Craft Shows
in Crafts
I went to two craft shows this past weekend. At one of them, literally half of the vendors were distributors of direct selling items like Avon, Mary Kay, Pampered Chef, Scentsy, etc. I love all of these products and that was not the real let down, but I was not expecting so many at a "craft" show.
When it came to actual crafts, I was really disappointed! I see so much talent online and was expecting to see some of the amazing types of ideas I see on Pinterest, this board, blogs, etc. But they were all such a let down! 
What are the craft shows like that you all go to? Do you find yourself disappointed?
Re: s/o Post on Meh Quilts at Fair - Disappointing Craft Shows
At our craft shows, they don't allow the resellers (with the exception of food stuff it seems). However, I will also say that I am typically disappointed in what I see--but I still go!
We tend to have a LOT of the same stuff...lots of jewelry made from semi-precious stones, handmade soaps, fleece blankets, and flower arrangements. Sigh...then I am always amazed at what people will buy.
My Valentine Bookends (2~13~13, 2~15~09)
I'm pretty lucky to live in an area with a very active craft guild. They don't allow resale items at any of our local craft fairs. And put on huge events all year long to support the arts. They even fund a play group at the local midschool. Providing funds, extra theatre arts teachers and huge local venue to perform. I just went to the local Textile fair on Sat. Had one of my wedding dresses on display, with my mom's vintage hats and clothing collections.
If you want different crafts and real artists, support the arts! Teach a class at the local community center! Start a stitch along or volunteer at your local school to arts related projects.
We do a lot of craft shows and I'm amazed at how much leeway they allow on the word "craft". The only thing we sell that we don't make ourselves are those crocheted headbands and we don't mark them up from what they cost us to get. (We only have them because people say "well, the baby has no hair, so we can't buy bows." so then we show them these, tell them where else they can get them and show them how the bows clip onto them.)
We did the farmer's market near here all summer and there is a lady who was there as well that just does wholesale stuff. Not a single thing she was selling could possibly have been hand made for what she was selling it for. Pettiskirts, for example, for like $12. The chiffon to make one of those is way more than that!
The smaller town craft shows, I've found, are more crafts and less resellers.
TTC Baby #2 - BFP on 12/14/11 @ 10DPO - CP confirmed 12/18/11
BFP #2 on 1/13/12
What a great idea! I SHOULD teach a class
I just reached out to the director of our local "community use program" to see if I could teach a knitting course. Woohoo!
I have been disappointed in some fairs here, but others have been nice. I haven't gone to all of them, and I am nervous about being disappointed every time I go to a new one.
Many of them are "country chicken" as my sewing friend calls them... not much my style. I love some of the groups that do holiday fairs, one is done by my LQS and is fabulous. Unfortunately, they receive 200 applications for only 62 spots, but I guess that is a good thing for the consumer as the spots are juried.
Just looked up the Junior League holiday fair and both crafters and retailers can apply to sell there. The retailers have to pay a higher booth fee and I *think* might be in a separate area than the crafters. Not sure.
PAIF and SAIF welcome. IVF questions welcome, too.
I have been an exhibitor at my share of "disappointing" shows. I don't think direct sales companies should be included in CRAFT shows, and it annoys me that at least 50-60% of the tables are those companies. It also annoys me when someone like Thirty One (which I love, don't get me wrong) or Initials Inc is included when they technically compete with the handmade gifts I make. If it was another person who sold embroidered gifts that they made, I wouldn't mind the competition, but I can't offer the variety the big companies offer, nor the quick production times.
I also get disappointed in the number of "old lady" crafts. I know they are the bread and butter of holiday craft shows, but I want to see some modern stuff! I think the reason you don't find the really amazing modern etsy type stuff at these craft fairs is because people aren't willing to pay the higher prices. I had someone scoff at a $20 custom (choose their own fabric) A-line dress once. Really? And how much were you expecting to pay for a custom dress that's embroidered? $5? $10? Plus, it never fails that there will be a little granny there selling things for less than she paid to make them - it's hard to compete with a sweet old granny!
This happens to us too. We hand cut all our appliques (and some of them have a LOT of detail) and people look at us like we're crazy for charging $15. It's not as easy as just slapping something on with an iron, people. We hand cut AND then sew all these little pieces on there.
TTC Baby #2 - BFP on 12/14/11 @ 10DPO - CP confirmed 12/18/11
BFP #2 on 1/13/12
We get all kinds around these parts. But I agree, a craft show shouldn't have direct marketing companies. Maybe a Stampin Up vendor who sells stuff you'd use to make crafts, but that's about it.
This captures my sentiments exactly...I was really hoping for more ETSY-ish stuff - modern, talented, something I haven't seen before! I need to look into those Etsy fairs one of the posters mentioned (Sorry I didn't look before I started typing this response!). I wonder if they have them in the New England area...
It was really all fleece blankets and headbands crocheted or knit on size 50 needles with giant yarn. I get that the production turnaround is quick that way but come on! Sigh...also lots of jewelry that was not all that creative - Just single strands of basic beads. I was hoping to see some really cool stuff that might rival Lia Sophia or one of those other companies. I do love Lia Sophia but it's $$$!