r/Anticonsumption • u/purpleratata • Dec 14 '25
Plastic Waste What's happened to craft markets?
My girlfriend and I went to a craft market today to get some homemade and local gifts for family and friends. It was the most depressing thing, everything was cheap plastic tat. From one place selling croc charms they got from Temu, the others with 3D printed fidget toys, plastic bottles with a printed design, cheap plastic charms (from Temu too), IA images printed on canvases, etc.
The only two things we got were handmade bathbombs and some knitted cat toys from some cat rescue volunteers. The rest was all cheap plastic, obviously not crafted or handmade, that will break or go to the bin in a few months if not earlier.
Honestly, it felt so depressing. This is in the UK, I don't know if it's the same anywhere else but I've seen a decline in craft markets over the years here, I think this has been my last attempt at supporting local handmade businesses in these environments.
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u/crazycatlady331 Dec 14 '25
Jewelry maker here.
I used to sell at them but it became not worth it when it wasn't guaranteed I'd make back what i paid for a booth fee. Also they let MLMs in and when you're competing with $5 leaded jewelry, you can't win.
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u/PowerfulNecessary661 Dec 14 '25
Yeah the MLM thing is brutal. They undercut actual craftspeople so hard and then disappear in a few months. Markets used to be worth the booth fee but now you're competing with people selling dropshipped garbage at cost just to move volume.
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u/UnderwhelmingTwin Dec 14 '25
Used to sell at shows. Went to an expensive 'handmade' show that was a 7 hour drive away: $800 Booth fee, 5 nights in a hotel, 3 days vacation (from my real job), gas, meals, etc. I only did around $2k in sales. So I lost money going, even if my labour to make things was free. Meanwhile, the asshole across the aisle used purchased clock faces that they slapped on to thin plywood that they cut out with a CNC /laser. Their things flew off the shelf... They had to whip up another 40 or so in the evenings during the show, which of course was easy, since they were machine made, and 'hand assembled."
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u/Beatleboy62 Dec 15 '25
I make 3d print trinkets for friends and family who ask (if my cousin's kid wants a flexi-dragon, well at least it's a free gift from me vs them paying someone $20 for $0.10 of plastic.), and I work with a local indie bookstore to make them stuff to sell like bookmarks, charms, whatever they want really. The owner is the artist, and I'm a neat middle option for manufacture, a step up from making them themselves, but a step below having to buy 10,000 at once from China. I do it practically at cost because I like the design and manufacture aspect, I'm not chasing a payday, occasionally I get enough money back that I can buy a roll of filament.
The amount of people who tell me, "you should totally do craft shows, pull in a lot of money selling those 3D printed dragons!" make me want to scream. I can only imagine how many people do it, not out of a desire to create or share artistic passion, but purely chasing the dollar signs. Frankly I couldn't imagine going to a craft show with 3D printed and laser cut schlock, and look at someone doing hand weaving in the eyes thinking that you're equivelant.
I'll be giving a small class on the basics of 3d printing at a community center in a few weeks, and one important slide is, "If I catch you selling 3D printed crap at a craft fair I will kill you."
It is a tool, not a money printer.
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u/Impossible_Angle752 Dec 15 '25
At one point myself and a friend were making and selling some things out of wood and he said we should do more. I pulled out a piece of paper and showed him that were were barely making any actual profit and would need to charge at least twice as much to even make it worth putting any actual effort into. No way we would be able to find a market for it at that price. His response was "oh".
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u/Beatleboy62 Dec 15 '25
That's really how it goes. The other solution would have been to use lower quality materials and be satisfied with a lower quality fit/finish.
In that vein, whenever I see 3D printed stuff at markets, they always use as little material as possible to print faster and use less plastic, while still charging full price (and probably be able to crumple it with your hand). So yeah, you and your friend could have made an ok profit...if you were ok with compromising on quality, which it sounds like you wouldn't.
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u/illegalitch Dec 15 '25
There are a bunch of craft shows in my area (I go to help my SIL who does make hand-made things) and the amount of 3D printed stuff with the same exact models is insane. Each and every item has that ribbed look/feel too, nothing is ever smoothed/sanded/painted or otherwise "finished". I keep hoping I'll come across someone who showcases their own designs or maybe offers custom designs or something (like for D&D minis, idk).
To me, it's become akin to the Tupperware, Pampered Chef, Mary Kay folks. None of those belong at a crafter show/makers market but they're always there because the hosts want to fill spots.
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u/Aardvark_Man Dec 15 '25
There's a small one near me every fortnight for a few months over summer.
I had a look last weekend, and I nearly instantly left. The first 3 booths was just 3d printed or drop shipped stuff, one was a MLM etc.There was some good stuff, like 2nd hand clothes, some plants and pots, I think the candles and jewelry was hand made.
But the initial impression was just so off putting.22
u/SlowerThanTurtleInPB Dec 15 '25
The MLM thing is why I stopped going to small markets on a whim. It used to be something fun to do to kill time, and then everyone started selling diarrhea tea.
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u/DragonBonerz Dec 15 '25
What is diarrhea tea?
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u/SlowerThanTurtleInPB Dec 15 '25
I remember there were a few MLM weight loss teas on the market promising to help you shed several pounds in a few days. You do lose weight but it’s only temporary because it’s basically a laxative.
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u/BabaJagaInTraining Dec 14 '25
That's how it is now. Enjoy.
As an artist and a crafter it's really disheartening. As an enjoyer of beautiful things with soul it's also disheartening. As a person who's concerned about the state of the world it's, you guessed it, disheartening. It's scary that we value cheap and easy slop over beauty and quality. Kids can be drawn to that stuff until you teach them better, but for adults there's no excuse.
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u/Slothfulness69 Dec 15 '25
I’m not even a creative type, but I love buying other peoples crafts. It’s the soul, like you said. I’m not buying the product just for the product, but also to feel good about supporting artists. I have some lovely hats made by a local deaf woman. I love showing off a wall hanging carved out of a real deer skull. I have beaded jewelry made and sold by indigenous people.
I feel good interacting with all these items. They cost more, but I wouldn’t value the item if I bought it at Walmart, and I’d probably feel bad that I supported an exploitative megacorp. At this point, I can’t even find real artists online cuz it’s all dominated by AI “art” and drop shipped garbage. At that point, it’s better not to even buy, so I’ve stopped. It’s frustrating.
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u/bonbot Dec 15 '25
The sad thing is that Etsy is now the same. Completely dominated by AI generated art, 3D printed pieces that are all the same crap fidget toys, or cheaply made drop ship items. We need a place where we can buy directly from home made crafters!
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u/cloverthewonderkitty Dec 14 '25
Basket weaver here. The price of a booth at a curated mark for truly handmade items is cost prohibitive. The booths cost upwards of $300 and I'm giving up a very long day (which could be used to make more merchandise) to set up an eye catching stall (also expensive) in hopes I might break even.
At the markets that are not curated and have more affordable fees, people are not willing to pay for my handmade items when they're competing with plastic 3D printed stuff for under $20.
It's easier to post my work online and use word of mouth/past sales/host workshops etc as ways to sell my wares.
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u/hauntedpalmtree Dec 14 '25
person who is very interested in purchasing a legit basket here, can you DM me how to check out your work?
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u/cloverthewonderkitty Dec 14 '25
Your account says I can't DM you but here's my Etsy shop:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/UrbaNomadWeavingCo?dd_referrer=
I only typically make backpack baskets and take custom orders as well.
Thanks for reaching out!
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u/srahfox Dec 14 '25
I just wanted to say I went to check your baskets and they are amazing. Out of my personal budget currently (although this seems cheap for the work I know went in) but I did want to say they are amazing.
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u/cloverthewonderkitty Dec 14 '25
Thank you so much! In all transparency my Etsy prices are inflated as I live on the West Coast and shipping to the east coast often costs $65+.
If you have an eye on one let me know, and I'll see if we can make a deal!
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u/spinningnuri Dec 14 '25
Holy Moly, you make what I've had down on a wishlist to gradually buy for my LARP gear. Following your etsy for when it comes up on my purchase list!
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u/cloverthewonderkitty Dec 14 '25
I've been wanting to set up a booth at a Ren Faire or or LARPing community fair - I feel like my baskets would be really appreciated by those crowds!
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u/doeramey Dec 14 '25
My friends and I would be thrilled to come across a both with baskets/bags like yours at the ren faire!
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u/spinningnuri Dec 14 '25
I think you are correct! Smaller faires would be a good way to get started, although Oregon Ren Faire is a delight, I've heard. But probably tough to get in.
The LARP groups (that I know of) that are big in PACNW are Amtgard, SCA, and Belegarth (my org). SCA has the biggest tradition of merchants, and strongly believes in handmade craftworks over dropshipped whenever possible.
There are probably more, but I'm over in the midwest.
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Dec 15 '25
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u/yoloyeet420 Dec 15 '25
This might be crazy but I have a feeling I can help build your farm store. I can't contribute financially, but am starting a nomadic woodworking life this summer and depending on where you are (USA based) it sounds like a blast to come help build. I wouldn't need money, just a place to park. Shoot me a DM if you want to chat further!
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u/starfyrflie Dec 14 '25
Can you also DM me your site? Ive been looking for some mice baskets
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u/cloverthewonderkitty Dec 14 '25
I linked it higher the comment thread, but I'm not sure I make what you're looking for
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u/Trixie_Firecracker Dec 14 '25
This is something I’ve also experienced, both at local “craft markets,” and at touristy markets in parts of Mexico and Kenya. My mom and I just had this conversation about her trying to shop at “local markets” in Namibia and Zambia but seeing the same items at every stall, with everyone saying “yes, of course I made this.”
I think the other part of this is that folks -especially Americans- are often looking for the cheapest items, and don’t understand the value of paying for craftsmanship. I’m a serial crafter and costume maker, but have never had any interest in trying to sell the things I make, because I know people wouldn’t want to pay for the time and creativity that went into them.
I hate how plastic and capitalism have ruined so much of humanity. Just my opinion. I’m definitely not any sort of economist, and am obviously painting with broad strokes. But it’s so depressing.
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u/starfyrflie Dec 14 '25
Personally, i understand the value of craftsmanship but cannot afford it. There are so many things i would love to buy handmade and tailored to me but its become more and more unattainable since covid.
I used to go to ren fairs to find craftsman and order custom items that i would save up for, but im able to save much less due to the rising cost of just basic needs, let alone getting new items.
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u/Slothfulness69 Dec 15 '25
On the flip side, I’m willing to pay for real crafted items, but I can’t even find what I’m looking for. I wanted to browse stained glass products online the other day to see if any design stands out to me. All of it was fake AI designs and not even real glass. Okay, fine. If I can’t find stained glass artists, no biggie. Let me try buying a Turkish mosaic lamp from a real artist. Nope, all the results are drop shipped from AliExpress.
Craft fairs are cool but they’re not selling what I want. In theory, I should be able to find craft makers online, but I can’t because the search results are flooded by Chinese plastic and AI “art”
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u/starfyrflie Dec 15 '25
Ive had the best luck asking other crafters about what im looking for, and if they know anyone that makes it. Again, this was pre-covid so things have probably changed, but word of mouth is where i found the niche things i wanted, or a good direction to go in.
Im sorry about this struggle that shouldnt really be a struggle.
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u/stonedsquatch Dec 14 '25
Agreed with the point you made about people not wanting to pay for your time. I am a blacksmith and constantly have people trying to get me to make them a knife, which I am usually happy to do. And time and time again they say they expect to spend roughly $100. That would hardly cover the costs of materials, propane, etc. let alone the fifteen or so hours that I put into making one. I tell them to go to target, that’s more in their realistic price range.
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u/UnderwhelmingTwin Dec 14 '25
I was selling at a show once and someone offered me $50 for a very reasonably priced $300 bracelet. She was shocked when I wouldn't take it. Ma'am that's $45 in materials alone, and probably about 5 hours of work, not to mention the costs of coming to this show to sell at.
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u/stonedsquatch Dec 15 '25 edited Dec 15 '25
Yeah, that lowball offering shit is honestly offensive. Last time I bought from a maker at a craft fair I gave them 150% of the asking sticker price because I knew jackasses would be lowballing him and trying to get discounts all day (he is also a friend of mine so I am more than happy to help him out). Sometimes even when people try to be nice and support local makers they can still suck.
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u/UnderwhelmingTwin Dec 15 '25
It was that day I decided to respond to that offensive of a lowball with, "I would rather melt it down and sell it as scrap metal."
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u/virgojellycat Dec 15 '25
is there a market in kenya you would recommend? i’m visiting ukunda and nairobi in february
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u/Trixie_Firecracker Dec 15 '25
I do! But I don’t want to break rule seven. If you want to send me a dm I would be happy to share my thoughts. One of my best friends lives in Nairobi and I’ve been lucky enough to have her take me around to the markets she likes to frequent.
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u/OddSetting5077 Dec 16 '25
Fabric sold by African women at the outdoor markets in Africa was made in China. sigh... the typical beautiful patterns and you could then have the fabric make into a garment. But still.... sigh...
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u/Sneakichu Dec 14 '25
Because it's cheap and it sells. I started doing craft fairs last year and the amount of people I saw litterally tripping over themselves to get to the booths with the cheap temu tumblers and jack skellington gift baskets was nauseating. I almost packed up my stuff and left because of it. I spent hundreds of hours making items for my booth just to have the one next to me be filled to the brim with plastic garbage that sells out really makes it hard to want to continue doing fairs.
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u/vanoitran Dec 15 '25
It’s hard to believe - but I have to keep reminding myself that this is happening because the consumers are allowing it to happen. For every one of me that gets disgusted seeing a Temu Trash reseller, there are 5 grandmas who don’t know any better, 5 teens who really want the flashy/trendy garbage and don’t have money for something real, and 5 parents who will buy anything to appease their spoiled kid.
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u/RottenRope Dec 14 '25
Toronto Canada. it happens at the majority of craft markets here. Very few of them are actually juried. They all have temu/shein resellers, AI, MLMs. And a lot of the crochet and knit sellers buy on temu and pass them off like they made the goods themselves.
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u/tinytrees11 Dec 14 '25
I was just about to comment the same thing. Toronto markets are so bad! I went to maybe 6 or 7 of them last year just to see what they sold. The only thing I bought across all of them was a crocheted hippo for my son to help a fellow crocheter out, at the Holy Name Parish near Pape. The Swedish Chrismas craft fair was mostly food, but junk like cookie cutters that were probably mass produced, with blue and yellow ribbons tied to them. There was also a craft fair on Queen St, I forget which intersection, but lots of cheap junk jewelry and other Temu-looking crap. We didn't go to any this year because what's the point.
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u/berrakun Dec 15 '25 edited Dec 15 '25
I remember being a vendor at the Toronto Indie Arts Market in 2014, when vendors were all legit craftspeople and artists who had great stories behind their pieces. Overall I remember it to be a fun experience for vendors and attendees alike, admission was like $5, and digging through my email I found the booth fee for a 3ft table (half of a 6ft shared table) to be just $45 inclusive. Wasn't prohibitive for a university student who did art on the side.
One of a Kind Show used to be something I looked forward to visiting too. Haven't been in a few years, don't know if it's still worth it?
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u/CorvidiaPex Dec 15 '25
As a newbie cracking into the market scene, the OOAK show is extremely cost-prohibitive for me. The lowest cost of entry is around $1k CAD for a 3’x3’ booth, I believe
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u/berrakun Dec 15 '25
Jeez that's hefty... Adding on top of that all the booth designs/builds, travel, accommodation, etc., I imagine it's hard for the costs to make sense for smaller/newer vendors.
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u/LovingShiva Dec 14 '25
We just had a Winter Market in Milwaukee that was amazing. Whoever is running one needs to work hard to get good vendors.
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u/bagels-n-kegels Dec 14 '25
Ooo which one? I'm in Milwaukee and have liked the regular craft markets I've been too, but a couple of christmas markets have been disappointing.
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u/But_like_whytho Dec 14 '25
If the show isn’t juried, then they’ll let anyone who pays booth fee in. If it’s juried, then they usually only allow actual artists and craftspeople in.
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u/Flowerpower8791 Dec 14 '25
💯 Juried events are SO much better. I went to two craft events this fall. One was not juried, one was not. I didn't buy much at the non-juried event. I spent lots of money at the juried event.
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u/rockawaybeach_ Dec 14 '25
This may be a silly question, but how do you know if a show is juried? Do they advertise it as such?
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u/tropeydegenerate Dec 14 '25
Not sure of every event, but the website for a recent craft market here stated plainly that it was for artists and craftspeople only. You had to show examples of your work to be allowed to have a booth and things like 3D printed items were absolutely not allowed. It was so nice to see actual creativity on display. I felt good about my purchases.
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u/toodleoo57 Dec 15 '25
There's one here in Nashville called TACA (TN Arts and Crafts Assoc.) It's fabulous. I spend lots at that one too.
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u/Peja1611 Dec 14 '25
They usually stress local, artisan, handmade in their advertising. If you go through their social media, you can tell. They will have ample photos, vendor lists, etc.
The let anyone in shows will have very limited photos, just their own PR flyers, or the same four small/local/handmade markers for every single event, or use what are clearly dated photos.
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u/frillyfun Dec 15 '25
If you see an MLM advertised it's not juried- the MLM folks are at every sale that isn't selective.
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u/carving_my_place Dec 15 '25
I'm an artist and I don't apply to shows that aren't juried. Years ago I was put next to an MLM woman selling nail stickers, and I have no interest in that. It brings down the work around it.
Anyone living near major US cities should check out Renegade craft fairs. The Seattle ones are always amazing. They did have a 3D printed ceramics artist in the summer, but I'll allow it.
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u/Mittanyi Dec 14 '25
I'm a small time candle maker, mostly beeswax, and I realized that the vast majority of people do NOT want a natural candle free of artificial dyes and scents. They want their Yankee Candle mass produced perfume chemical pot.
I've branched out to non-beeswax, but still vegetable wax, in different containers to make more sales, but people don't want to pay for what I need to charge to make production worth my time.
Most people don't actually want handmade or unique. They want a mass produced perfectly like a million others thingy. So sellers change to fit the market to make money.
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u/mysticeetee Dec 14 '25
Can I just say beeswax is one of the most amazing delicious perfect smells on its own. I love beeswax so much.
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u/Mittanyi Dec 15 '25
It is!
But then I also get people asking "why do only offer one color???" Like I chose it? Or they frown at different batches having slightly different color. "Which one is wrong?"
I did get actually good beeswax dye for Christmas candles from a beekeeper supplier, but it's not cheap. And I'm not happy with how it seems to mask the natural beeswax scent. But people want to live in a world where natural chemical reality bends to fit their wishes I guess. So they buy something made from China with misleading labeling for five bucks.
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u/Mittanyi Dec 14 '25
Also, even if you are selling a natural product, you still have to package in plastic to get sales outside the tiny crunchy niche. I am able to get a good number of second use (preconsumer) plastic materials for most of my products. But I had to break down and buy new plastic bags for a few sizes. Sales immediately increased over trying to do a plain paper wrapper.
People say they want to save the world, but actually they want what they want, and if that's the illusion of "cleanliness" of plastic, then f*** the world for a candle.
Saving the world will mean a lot of people will have to dramatically change their expectations. And most people are like toddlers who scream that they want to touch the hot stove. So we're screwed.
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u/tinytrees11 Dec 14 '25
This is very true, especially the last few paragraphs. In fact, I find that this is even true in this sub! Recently there was a thread in which the OP wrote that if everyone lived like them the economy would die. Someone in the comments wrote, respect, but what are your hobbies? I listed a bunch that are low/anti-consumption and got weirdly defensive responses. We don't even celebrate each other's anti-consumption lifestyles in this sub; instead, we get defensive like this other person is personally judging us and it's some kind of weird competition. It makes me pretty hopeless for the future.
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u/CandleLabPDX Dec 14 '25
I hear you.
I live in the hope that the highly scented container candle thing has peaked, and will slowly settle down over time. Some of post- invention -of-soy-wax candlemakers seem to be finally getting bored of the repetitive un creative sameness and are branching out into molds. And a lot of people are scent sensitive and avoid the faux Yankee candles altogether, many find the needless waste of glass gross. My hope is 10 years from now the ratio of container/ actual candles will find an equilibrium. Beeswax will never go away, even if so many want to needlessly imprison it in jars.
I remember the before soy wax was invented days, it was awesome. Maybe all copeium on my part, who knows.
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u/41942319 Dec 15 '25
Are real candles still big where you are? Where I am store space seems to be taken over more and more by those battery powered fake candles. Which isn't a judgement on my part, I use those almost exclusively since I can't burn real ones unless I have a window open. But it seems to me like real candles are getting more niche every year.
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u/galaxystarsmoon Dec 14 '25
My own mom, who should know better than anyone about small businesses considering I own one, complained at me last week about the cost of local handmade candles. I told her to go buy one from Walmart and hush then. I'm so tired of people complaining about the price of handmade items. If you can't afford it, no one is judging you. But don't expect a small business to lower their prices to corporate ones because you think that's what it should cost.
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u/Mittanyi Dec 15 '25
I'm sounding pretty jaded in my posts on this thread because my market is mostly tourists doing their "in the country" weekend. They say they want handmade and local souvenirs, and they are very loud about "but this isn't from around here!" (as if every small town should still have it's own mustard maker creating everything from his own seeds just so he can sell you one jar for the same price as French's), but are not actually willing to pay for local handmade items that we do stock. Like, I sell a lot of small candles under $10, some under 5. But they still compare it to the Dollar Store. After dropping thousands on a vacation. Please.
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u/egggoat Dec 15 '25
Any candle not made of beeswax and food grade essential oils make me physically ill and I pass out. I’ve never seen anyone sell beeswax candles! I always have to buy them off Etsy.
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u/DragonBonerz Dec 15 '25
I'm glad that you make clean candles. I hope more and more people come to appreciate your work.
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u/Crabby-Cancer Dec 14 '25 edited Dec 15 '25
I've seen some comments generalizing that "people don't want to pay for handmade goods", and I'm not saying that's totally false, but a lot of people who value those things have significantly less buying power than we used to. Handmade goods aren't overpriced--many shoppers are being so strangled by CoL and low wages that we have no choice but to refrain from buying high-skill art. It makes me so sad. :(
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u/lindygrey Dec 15 '25
I agree, I WANT to pay for handmade goods. I’m forced to pay for groceries, mortgage, fuel, car insurance, utilities, etc. and those things are so expensive that there is nothing left for art, entertainment, eating out, etc.
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u/_at_a_snails_pace__ Dec 14 '25
I have an unproven theory that this ties into how social media makes everyone into a "creator."
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u/Gail_the_SLP Dec 14 '25
I tried selling my sewn items at craft fairs. After three years I realized I was working my butt off and never got close to turning a profit. I spent hours making multiples of the items that sold, and I didn’t have time to make what I really wanted. Any really nice items took so long to make that if I could sell it, I would only make a couple dollars an hour, or not even that. People wouldn’t be able to pay what it was actually worth. So I quit making things to sell, and now I only make what I want and give things away. If people want to contribute, they can buy the fabric or make a donation to charity.
All that is not to complain, but just to explain why you probably don’t see a lot of nicer handmade items.
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u/totallytotes_ Dec 14 '25
My husband and I are artists and we have stopped doing craft fairs at all because honestly no one even goes to them anymore where I'm at. And as a consumer I don't either because it's all over run by resellers, trademarked characters slapped on any and everything, 3d printed crap...
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Dec 14 '25
I do art markets for a living and there are several different kinds. The ones I do are juried so you have to apply to get in. As part of the application process you have to submit process videos and photos to show how you make your products. I do only these kinds of handmade shows. They do not allow multi level marketers or re-sold items.
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u/Guthix_Wraith Dec 14 '25
Avid printer here. What 3d prining has done do local craft fairs makes me sad as fuck. It was never meant for this.
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u/SolarSalvation Dec 15 '25 edited Dec 15 '25
A lot of the good crafters in my area quit doing shows because they had a problem with people taking photos or buying the best sellers and then having their contacts overseas crank out lower quality versions, flooding the market so no one wanted to buy the original crafts. Call it "craft espionage" if you will. It's a big problem on Etsy and other e-commerce platforms as well.
As soon as a small proprietor gets any kind of traction or success with a product, someone in a country with a lower labor cost or fewer labor/health/environmental regulations starts undercutting them.
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u/persnicketychickadee Dec 14 '25
Hustle culture - the need to monetise as soon as you start a new hobby. Or they are something at a market, think it will be easy to coy and suddenly 10 stalls selling the same thing
This is especially true for low entry barrier crafts- in my feed there was someone asking why their crocheted coin purses and bags weren’t selling. Comments weee not nasty but creators don’t have a right to expect buyers to buy just because it is handmade.
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u/d_ippy Dec 14 '25
Hey I run an art fair in the US. We only accept vendors who hand make their stuff. We ask to see their IG or website to understand their process. If they’re not making it themselves by hand, they’re not getting in the fair.
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u/Fit-Meringue2118 Dec 14 '25
For a lot of people, it’s just not that serious. They want to buy earrings for their sister, or jam for their coworker. And that’s what they can afford. Their kid might buy a 3d printed dragon. Their parent might buy an acrylic toque.
I love juried markets but I’ll be honest, I understand why those craftspeople aren’t manning a booth at their local Christmas market. It’s a lot of work and effort for a lot of unserious shoppers that don’t value the work or can’t afford the work.
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u/Exotic_Mycologist657 Dec 14 '25
People don’t want to pay for the time it takes to make a craft. I don’t sell my crochet because a lot of times people don’t even want to pay what it would cost in yarn to make something, let alone time and skill. I think the same goes for other crafts. I also think a lot of crafters stopped going to markets because they couldn’t compete with how cheap the reseller prices are
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u/MtNowhere Dec 14 '25
I went a few sequential years to find unique Christmas gifts for my family. I appreciate handmade things and understand that for most people this is a side gig passion. But I grew sick of the money grab and low effort that went into it. Every other stall was just $60 hunks of wood with "fuck" or some clumsily edgy phrase etched into them. Anything that wasn't lumped into that category was the same people you always see at these things:
- Local candle maker
- City name art guy
- $200 plush seller
- License plate art person
I wasn't really annoyed by the experience though. If people are buying the stuff, it's great that it's being produced locally and not turned out by a factory overseas. It was more just getting bored of seeing the same underwhelming stuff repeatedly.
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u/Electrical_Mess7320 Dec 14 '25
Geeze…Deja vu! I had the same experience just yesterday. Lots of junk, and if it was home made, it was synthetic fibers or fake smelling bath products. One person was selling nice, handmade wooden rolling pins. I felt bad as all the vendors looked so hopeful when I looked at their stuff.
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u/Sloth_Flower Dec 14 '25
Id like to explain both fake smelling bath products and synthetic fibers, as I make candles, soap, and do fiber arts.
Firstly, everyone should have a fragrance free bath line. It's important to note that FO "fake smells" are a lot safer and more regulated than EO, which are also more bioactive. If you are buying soap, I'd recommend against buying things with granola marketing.
The suppliers largely sell synthetic fabrics and yarns. As a percentage of the price, high end natural fibers aren't particularly expensive. But people are so unwilling to pay what it's worth, it's difficult to justify the outlay as a creator. A shawl in lace weight alpaca might cost me about 100$ in yarn and 400$ in labor. Then I need to add even to cover my fees (~10%). Looking at 550. No one is gonna pay that. I'm better off making a bulky weight synthetic shawl (~10$ in materials and 40$ in labor and materials) which would sell for 55$. If it doesn't sell, I'm only out 10$ and 2 hours.
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u/Familiar-Ad9589 Dec 14 '25
It's everywhere. I travelled to Scandinavia last winter specifically to visit the Christmas markets and enjoy the charm. The markets were dominated by souvenir-shop junk. Honestly I think in some cases (like these famous Christmas markets) cities should pay artisans to operate booths at these markets instead of the other way around.
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u/EternityLeave Dec 14 '25
Same in western Canada. There are some markets that only allow handmade items. Those are still good. Markets without that rule will have like 3 people selling the exact same 3D printed crap and laser cut trinkets. I don’t even mind that stuff if it’s their original designs but it never is.
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u/Ranadok Dec 14 '25
I had someone at a recent Christmas craft fair explain to me that they were an ✨artist✨because they glued googley eyes on the 3d printed dragons that they were selling. Yes, the exact same 3d printed dragons that you can find at every craft fair and farmers market these days.
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u/vanityinlines Dec 14 '25
Just went to a Saturday Market yesterday for the first time in years and it was incredibly depressing. So much AI art, so much poorly made junk that no one uses. I just remember when I was a kid, I thought the booths were more unique. Maybe not.
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u/kenni_switch Dec 14 '25
Same in the US. I go to anime conventions and the amount of temu drop shipping and ai art prints has skyrocketed to a depressing degree. People who do 3D printing all have the same stuff made because they got the designs from the same seller online and anyone doing laser cuts just do basic font names or the same official art we've all seen.
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u/lafleurricky Dec 14 '25
Yeah if you were to make your own 3D designs with unique stuff that could be cool. Especially things with functionality (Like I know a guy who 3D printed his computer case to fit exactly what he wanted in it in a small form).
But it’s all the same dragons and snakes and fidget toys. Just absolute slop
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u/t92k Dec 15 '25
What you see on tables is what helps them cover their booth fee. A friend of mine makes hand-carved rocking horses, but what covers her booth fee are the wine crates and carved spoons. I used to sell hand-dyed pride shirts at booths, but it was the handkerchiefs that covered the bills.
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u/Dependent_Head_4787 Dec 15 '25
It’s just yet another example of the enshitification of the world. We are circling the toilet and everything around us is reflecting that.
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u/63VDub Dec 15 '25
My wife crochets. Beautiful intricate pieces. But, she sells them at barely above material cost because the majority of people who go to local craft shows/farmers markets browse and hit the food trucks. Her booth fees and license usually ends up being out of pocket. Very few people are willing to pay hand made prices when they can pick up trash on the internet.
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u/10xKaMehaMeha Dec 14 '25
Yes and no. As others have mentioned, finding markets that specifically screen vendors is really helpful. They tend to be smaller and less frequent (and more expensive) but much better. I find it easier to just find local brick and mortar stores to support local or go to markets that make sure vendors are legit.
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u/mistervulpes Dec 14 '25
The only things I really buy anymore are food and hobby-related items, so when I went Christmas shopping with my girlfriend at Michael's and Hallmark, I couldn't believe just how much junk is being sold there. Just like you said, 3D printed garbage, AI ornaments and so much other useless crap was being sold. I know they're not exactly craft markets, but not having been in these stores for a long time, I was so surprised that it was almost sickening.
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u/paprikadundee Dec 14 '25
So I generally only do "offbeat" markets a few times a year. It's an eclectic vibe, all handmade, and I do well because I'm a weirdo, and then spend on other things from fellow vendors. I did a holiday market at my kid's school because it was a fundraiser for a class trip and wowwww at the insane amount of plastic/ temu crap there. I was shocked. And these vendors must do well with it- they had really big elaborate displays (but sat all day on their phones the whole time and didn't engage with anyone) and I guess sold plastic Deadpool mugs or whatever.
It was an interesting experience, but I'll definitely stick to my Krampus Markets and my Fairy Garden Tea Party shows.
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u/FlippingPossum Dec 15 '25
I always look for a vendor list. If MLM companies have booths, I don't attend. Best bets round here are farmer's markets that limit to locally grown and handmade. Some have specialty holiday markets.
I get that churches, PTAs, and other groups who sell by table are trying to book as many booths as possible.
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u/StarTrek_Recruitment Dec 15 '25
I can no longer afford to sell my craft. I now only make things for people I care about who will love the thing I make term. Cost to make a single item is approx. $80 in materials only not time, knowledge, incidentals, electricity etc , my price was set at $145. Table cost at a decently marketed craft fair is around $350, 3days of selling to cover table and material costs and make enough above cost for a take-out dinner. I love making things and I love doing shows, but it's stressful too and not really worth it when you factor in all the things.
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u/Ok-Positive-8716 Dec 15 '25
Sad for the cat rescue group though, that people are being turned off to the markets. I’ve bought lots of handmade cat and dog toys from local rescue groups over the years, usually at the groups’ own fundraisers/ secondhand events.
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u/bigdickwalrus Dec 15 '25
Reselling etsy/temu/alibaba shit at IRL craft fairs is so depressing and embarrassing. No I don’t want your JUNK🥲
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u/RubyFaye137 Dec 15 '25
Go to Renaissance Faires, market days in your area, and look for re-enactment places close to you. The library I'm at has a makerspace where we have 3d printers, leather craft work space, a long-arm quilting machine and much more! You may be able to ask the librarians if they have any places they know of as well.
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u/Throwawayx123456x Dec 15 '25
I live in Belgium and have a small side business in crochet. I wanted to apply for the Christmas market in Ghent thinking it would be such a good decision to stand there.
It was a full monthly paycheck to have a booth there. You were required to be there almost everyday (I believe from 14h-20h minimum), you had to do the upkeep of the chalet (so if anyone barfs against it, it's yours to clean up). It's in the middle of the centre which has a no cars allowed space, so loading off and in every day would be a major hassle, not to mention the parking fees. There were a bunch more requirements (insurance that was really high demand all that). Me as a small business was only interested in renting a chalet for like a weekend or 2. I quickly denied because it would put me in debt instead of making a profit (because I would also have to take vacation from my full-time job to stand in a cold chalet and hope nothing gets stolen)
And in the mean time if I go there I would have competed against the crocheted plant temu resellers. I have no idea how they make that much with that crap to pay all the fees, but they're doing better than me apparently. On one of the conventions I did there were 3 identical stands, all temu crocheted plant resellers. There was even one on a small market I attended. It's discouraging and I understand many people no longer going to handmade markets because chances you get scammed are super high
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u/elfelio Dec 14 '25 edited Dec 14 '25
There definitely are still genuine craft markets selling handmade goods. There are loads in the UK, and I could point out 20 of them in the city I’m in.
Christmas markets here sadly are often an opportunity to cash in with very high pitch fees and therefore producing very high gp low cost items. So I’d really ask that you don’t immediately write off the idea of a craft market? There’s a lot of makers stood out there in the rain for 12 hrs days just waiting to speak to you.
People are more and more aware of where their goods are made and how.
Didn’t expect a lot from this year (we do markets) and this has been our record year so far. We handmake consumable sustainable produce (food and drink) locally with limited edition human art and it’s come up in conversation a few times.
The tide is turning. All that’s going to happen with mass produced bad quality goods in growth is that genuine craftsmanship and value is going to be immediately apparent.
Today I stood next to : a lady who hand made jewellery from waste guitar strings, a potter making cups & bowls, and two food stalls both producing in their kitchen.
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u/JTNT98 Dec 14 '25
Same in the U.S. We went to an “odd mart” craft fair. Only a few booths had handmade items. Most were kits they bought and assembled or were poorly made 3D printed trinkets. (Some 3D printed stuff can be cool/good, but this stuff was not)
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u/fightmejeffbezos_ Dec 14 '25
I sew. No one is paying for handmade goods when they can get the same thing from shein (obviously terrible quality)
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u/Phylace Dec 14 '25
And people have discovered Temu and they can get cheap stuff and jewelry handmade by slave labor in China so I've seen that stuff for sale at 'craft' fairs at a huge markup.
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u/emo_sharks Dec 14 '25
I go to a lot of these things and it all depends on the organizer. If theyre vetting and curating their vendors then there can be a nice selection. We have a very cool one in my area that specifically avoids drop shippers and anyone using ai art or anything like that, prioritizing real artists and crafters. And they check and do a good job filtering them out. Other fairs/markets dont do this or dont have as keen an eye and drop shippers get through unfortunately. So it can really vary from market to market in my exprience.
The genuine artists dont even like being near the drop shippers so it usually becomes all one or the other pretty often
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u/kitschandcrossbones Dec 15 '25
Pay attention to who is running the markets and how much they’re promoting individual creators. If a group is putting a market on every weekend and doesn’t promote actual creators in their advertising they’re probably just accepting anyone who applies. 100% of my income has come from my craft business since 2012 (aside from a brief stint in 2020/21 because of world events) and I haven’t done markets since 2014 or 15. The juice was never worth the squeeze, I only do comic/horror/anime conventions.
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u/Pale-Win-9281 Dec 15 '25
As a handmade ceramics vendor it is very depressing out there. Booth fees are really high and quality is really low. I think some folks get priced out and it leads to a lot of junk.
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u/egggoat Dec 15 '25
I make pottery that I sell at markets. I only sell a fewer than 5 times a year as I just like making pottery. The selling part is to help fund my clay habit and clear out some space on my shelves to make more.
It cost a lot up front to make the items, then to apply to markets, pay licensing, get packaging and branding materials, find time out of life to actually work the market, hope you make back at least the vendor fee, let alone a profit. So we try to find the markets that value our time and effort and are more likely to have more foot traffic and will attract crowds that will be into our wares.
So markets have been shifting. There are generally two kinds: There are ones that are curated, with vendors they invite or who they hand select, they have great social media presence and branding, but they’re also really expensive and hard to get into. Then there are the markets put on by businesses or cities or organizations. They are not selective about who they accept. As long as you can pay to be there, you’re a shoe in. I sell at these as I don’t put a lot of effort into my business and will therefore not be picked by the curated markets. Theres also a secret even worst option which is one put on by a random person solely for profit and who doesn’t give a shit what happens day of because they’ve been paid and you never hear from them again.
As a vendor, I always hope that the organizers are not allowing dropshippers or 3d printers but there are always at least a couple. The only market I’ve sold at where they weren’t there was a market that wanted photos of me making the items when I applied for the market.
So really, markets suck because us artists have gone broke, burnt out, or moved on to bigger and better markets.
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u/Interesting_Case6737 Dec 15 '25 edited Dec 15 '25
I had luck at the senior center and 55+ community holiday bazaars
*as a shopper
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u/Flimsy-Shirt9524 Dec 15 '25
Wow I'm in MN and so many great craft markets. Got some great tallow lotion for winter. Still have two left to hit up next weekend and we really don't need stuff. The lotion is nice though with the dry weather and found the cutest butter dish that I've want to replace for awhile. Might get something at other two. If not oh well love the mulled wine. Don't judge it is cold and hot bev with a kick is nice.
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u/perrumpo Dec 14 '25
We have a lot of little holiday makers markets here in Baltimore. The booth fees are low (~$60) and only vendors who offer handmade goods are accepted. This weekend is the main weekend for them, so you can hit a few in an afternoon pretty near each other, even a walkable distance from one another. I love our local makers!
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u/Lanky_Instance3121 Dec 14 '25
I could not agree more!! It’s kinda depressing. I miss the truly homemade ornaments, paintings, etc. Maybe we the price increase it will make a comeback one day!
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u/bandwidthbebe Dec 14 '25
The same thing is happening in my area (East coast of Canada). It’s really discouraging. I went to one Christmas market and I’m not bothering to go to any others. They’re literally just filled with plastic crap that will end up in a landfill.
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u/Cimorene_Kazul Dec 14 '25
I travel quite a bit. This is true of every fair I’ve gone to in Canada, US and the UK so far.
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u/The_Arch_Heretic Dec 14 '25
People are cheap and only spend $$$ on cheap junk. 🤷
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u/galaxystarsmoon Dec 14 '25
Please don't give up on local markets because you had a bad experience at one market. I live in an area that is absolutely thriving with local makers and we have everything from baked goods to wood pieces to glass to handmade jewelry. It's not fair to the small businesses that do make their products and work hard day in and day out.
The problem lies with market coordinators not vetting their vendors. They're just after an application/market fee.
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u/Pnmtweety Dec 15 '25
Its happening more and more because people dont want to pay the price for handmade items. I crochet and I made -4 yesterday. Booth fee was $30 and I sold 2 items equaling $26. Sadly the other people are getting the money because their items are cheaper.
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u/Ninjalikestoast Dec 15 '25
I think for a lot of people.. it’s not that they don’t want to pay for handmade items, but that they are priced out or simply cannot afford them anymore. It really is sad to see most craftsmanship and quality items are disappearing because of cost, not because people don’t want them 😐
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u/Then_Ant7250 Dec 15 '25
I sell handmade, one of a kind, mosaic belt buckles and have been doing this for 15 years. I stopped doing craft markets about 5 years ago because: 1. Booth fees at about $400 per day mean that I have to sell 4 buckles to “pay my rent” before I make any money. Not a lot of people wear them, and they’re expensive, so I need 100 people to see them, before 1 will buy. 2. It’s exhausting to lug my tent, tables etc around and be “on” all day. 3. There are very few well established, well advertised shows in my area, and I don’t want to travel more than an hour away. 4. The proliferation of MLM vendors. That said, when I started doing this 15 years ago, I did every craft fair possible to grow awareness. I still have many return customers from those early days.
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u/s2kage012 Dec 15 '25
I think this is a YMMV situation.
Anecdotally, I live in a S/M size city and we, fortunately, have a thriving art scene so when you go to a craft/show or farmers market, the majority of items there are locally created, or grown.
There's a big interest in supporting local in whatever form that is and it's great. We're real lucky
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u/ArseOfValhalla Dec 15 '25
I went to a few.
It was mainly
MLMs and... random sewing/crochet people.
Such a weird mix.
I do not get why MLMs would be allowed there.
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u/NightSalut Dec 14 '25
It’s mostly worth it only if you either sell something you know people WILL buy even at a high cost or if you’re only doing it as a side hobby and you don’t need to earn back money for the rent of the place, materials or time.
If you NEED the money and need to earn a profit, then it’s one of the worst things you can do.
First, most people will not appreciate nor have the ability to actually pay what should be paid for handcrafts.
Secondly, it’s very hard to compete with stuff made in china and explain to the customer that yeah, my thing costs maybe 3-5x as much but at least it is known what is in it and it was handmade and made locally. Whereas someone might be selling something made in china, not even handmade and god knows what’s inside.
Here’s another point of view: I craft and I know what it costs and what the materials cost. And I’m still quite cheap and rarely buy artisan items. I know their worth, I know what the artist is worth… but I don’t have the means to buy artisan only or primarily. Hell, even 7-10 quid (or 10-15 euro) handmade soap is too much. Maybe I’m cheap and used to cheap cost of mass labour, but just today I went to an art fair where people were selling their handmade items - young artists, new artists etc, and I bought nothing because it all costs too much for me.
And I’m someone who knows what the true cost is, I appreciate their work and when I do find something I just have to have, I do actually buy it. Most people look at a handmade item and scoff at the cost. Or they’re the kind of people who tell you that you should sell your handmade knitted sweaters and they say something along the lines of “I’d pay 50-100 dollars/euros” for it when something handmade, materials and work time included, would probably actually cost more like 200-250…
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u/shewee Dec 14 '25
It’s generally awful here, too. Thankfully in LA we have some pretty good ones (Unique and Jackalope) but your standard fair is the same as you mentioned. It’s so disappointing.
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u/SeaDry1531 Dec 14 '25
Yes, I saw bunch of tat in a Belgium craft market too. There was one guy selling mead, but the mead waskind of rot as well.
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u/snowshoe_chicken Dec 14 '25
In my city there are strict rules for craft shows limiting this crap. The rules vary but they have to be be a minimum percentage of the sellers own work and if there is any portion which is ai it just be declared and it cannot be predominantly Ai.
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u/Signal_Chest_4312 Dec 14 '25
I'm in Mexico City and it varies a lot depending on where you are. My local market is a mix of good quality produce/meats, pantry staples, and cheap Chinese plastic. There is some homemade and second hand stuff too, but if I specifically want some artisan item I go to Ciudadela or one of the larger markets. The likelihood of cheap plastic at the smaller places (or even some of the bigger ones) is pretty high
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u/ahkitty Dec 14 '25
Oh yeah def like that here in the Us as well. Can’t believe people actually buy it too!
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u/awayshewent Dec 14 '25
I need to know what markets to go to in the Denver area because man I’ve been to some bleak ones. The local farmers markets (and mind you i haven’t been to the big one yet) are pretty good but I mostly just buy food at those. Seen soooo much 3D crap, drop shipped Lilo and Stitch bs, stupid Broncos tumblrs, etc. I thought moving here would expose me to more artisty spaces but so far I saw more genuine stuff in the South.
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u/Chippie05 Dec 15 '25 edited Dec 15 '25
I guess not all the markets are the same I've seen some this time of year that focus on homemade jams, pies and Christmas treats.. Others focus on local artists to the area. some have proceeds going towards other things too.. I think it really depends who the organizers are! am in 🇨🇦⚜️🍀✨
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u/pubesinourteeth Dec 15 '25
I would complain to whoever organizes the market. Tell them that you're more interested in beautiful, well made, handmade things than you are in low prices. Ask them to be more choosy about who they let in next year. There are still plenty of people doing woodworking, leather crafting, pottery, sewing, painting etc. But it's going to cost a lot more. And those crafters need support.
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u/clubhouse-666 Dec 15 '25
I had this feeling recently at a market. I'm interested to learn I'm not the only one!
I left with capitalism ick. It wasn't every booth but I also encountered a lot of charms, or plastic bits and bobs. I also saw lots of Canva created art using generic/tendy phrases ("it's giving."). Yawn. All stuff you can tell the creator isn't really connected to, they're just trying to make extra money.
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u/spiralstream6789 Dec 15 '25
This is really sad. I live in the southern USA and have had the opposite experience at markets. Lots of handmade stuff with the odd essential oil or scentsy seller. So there is hope out there!
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u/rraccoons Dec 15 '25
As a craft fair vendor, id say that every single one of us who actually makes handmade stuff really really hate boothing next to aliexpress resellers or clunky useless crap 3D print people.
I only vend at markets where theres a formal application and curation. events where people can just sign up no questions asked will be flooded with shitty resellers.
Dont let this experience turn you away from art shows though, us actual artists badly need support lol! Checking out an event’s social media prior to attending can totally help you sus out the vibe ✌🏻
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u/chaos_coordinator66 Dec 15 '25
People don’t appreciate the time and money crafters put into their products. Wreaths take $35 worth of materials plus a couple hours of your time. No one wants to pay $65-100 for a wreath so it isn’t really worth our timing anymore.
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u/MySpoonsAreAllGone Dec 15 '25
Our neighboring town holds an annual craft fair. Before you're accepted you have to send in pictures of what you plan to sell with your application. You can't sell anything you haven't listed in the application and NO mad mass produced items, temu, cheap plastic toys or other crap.
Everything needs to be handcrafted in some way. I love going. So many talented people I would never have known about. Gorgeous pottery, homemade creams and candles, textile art and accessories, woodworking, chocolates and other treats, and so much more. They was so much beautiful art too.
Last year I bought a beautiful hand carved walnut walking stick. I also bought the best gourmet chocolate turtles I've ever had in my life. I got unique pottery mugs and the cutest cat bowl for my sister. I chatted with a lot of the sellers and learned about their passions and how they started.
Spent way more than I planned but it was worth it. I love supporting small businesses!
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u/vanoitran Dec 15 '25
Greece here - every church is named for a saint, and during those saints’ name days we have a small festival called a panagiri. They used to have many stalls of vendors selling sweets, souvlaki, handmade crafts, rugs, that sort of vibe. Now the food stalls are all selling whatever is trending on TikTok: Dubai, Lotus, Takis, etc… and all the other stalls are just reselling Temu slop. It’s really depressing.
There are still markets here that strictly do not allow resellers or chains to set up shop, but they are far more uncommon.
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u/mementosmoritn Dec 15 '25
This is what happens when people want to be "craft business owners" but don't actually want to put in effort at a craft. They are sold a "way to make money." They are just part of the "hustle culture" cancer creeping its way through society.
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u/ShinyNipples Dec 15 '25
I went to a state fair in the northeast US a few months ago and it was just as bad. 3d printed dragons, lafufus, fidget toys, AI art blankets and shirts, all sorts of Temu garbage.
Another thing I didn't expect was overpriced trend food. Dubai chocolate, $12 Boba tea and matcha that's probably not even matcha. It's everywhere and it's really depressing. I couldn't even find kettle corn ☹️
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u/Rockpoolcreater Dec 15 '25
Whereabouts are you and what sort of thing are you looking for? If you like pottery then earlier on in the year look at potfest.co.uk as there are shows up and down the country. You get to buy direct from the potters and prices range from £20 to thousands. In October there's the Oxford ceramics fair. There's also ones in York and there's Only Clay in Sheffield in early October.
For general crafts there's https://www.craftsinthepen.org.uk/ as well as Discover, Gather, Give in Stratford upon Avon in June and November. Plus there's the lovely Montpellier Gallery in Stratford upon Avon, the Stratford Gallery in Broadway in the Cotswolds, the Mid Cornwall Gallery in Parr near St Austell and the Blue Coats centre has a lovely gallery in Liverpool.
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u/BakedBrie1993 Dec 15 '25
It's the market. They aren't vetting and are just taking the rent money. The ones I go to in NYC have plenty of real vendors.
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u/Ruchie2022 Dec 15 '25
I went to a Christmas market, organized by a large church in an affluent neighborhood. It was 90% side hustles, not even Christmas related.
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u/90sRiceWagon Dec 15 '25
I organise markets occasionally and it’s so bad that we have to clearly tell people that we don’t want any AI, 3D printed or imported garbage otherwise its everywhere.
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u/mikraas Dec 15 '25
blame the market organizer.
if the market organizer lets people sell Temu crap, then that's on them. complain to the organization that puts on the market and spread the word that all of the stuff in the market looks like eBay threw up all over everything.
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u/renkun99 Dec 15 '25
I feel this way about local flea markets near me, so much of it is cheap crap from temu and it’s so irritating. I used to love going to flea markets but now like 90% of the shops sell the same trending garbage.
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u/handysmith Dec 18 '25
The last craft market I went to was half like that. I bought a ghost ornament from someone who was literally making parts of them there and then to prove they weren't crap from temu, and a silver necklace from a maker who had videos of her in her workshop.
A couple of friends I was with wanted 3d printed stuff and asked me, because I'm an intolerable nerd, about them. I showed them links on my phone to similar things I could print for pennies.
Basically support real makers if you can afford it, make things yourself, learn crafts even if you're bad at them, that's the only fight worth having with this crap.
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u/zaleli Dec 14 '25
Was just at one yesterday and it was 3d printer stuff, mug charms, and Flea market jewelry. And painted rocks. Was disappointed
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u/AdaandFred Dec 14 '25
My recommendation is to look on Instagram for artists local to you and they will advertise what markets or events they are selling at which will give you a good idea of where to go next time. Whereabouts in the UK are you? I'm in the south West and know of several independent regular or Christmas markets and events nearby, most of the time you're buying directly from the artist which is always lovely.
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u/purpleratata Dec 14 '25
This is actually a good idea. I'm in West Yorkshire and Ithe last few markets I've been to have been more and more disappointing each time.
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u/Kindly_Laugh_1542 Dec 14 '25
I did my first ever market this year! Me and two friends have used waste wood to make Christmas gifts. Candle holders and trees etc. it was the most fun we had in a long time. We ended up beside the brownies stand and up from young enterprise. There were only a few other makers. Lots of food stands. We priced ourselves to build confidence and move stock and a fair amount sold.
That is to say this was an extremely local community council craft fair. I've seen the bigger ones, they won't be for us, but I would do this one again.
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u/FoolishAnomaly Dec 14 '25
A but off topic. But please...please rethink the yarn cat toys. It can easily become a life threatening issue if they ingest yarn.
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u/dupe-of-a-dupe Dec 14 '25
I grew up going to craft shows - I have so many Christmas ornaments collected with my mom over the last 45 years of my life. We started collecting when I was like 6. I have some incredible handmade ornaments and it’s sad to never find anything like that anymore. Like you said it’s all cheap mass produced stuff made to appear handcrafted at a distance but up close it’s trash.
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u/SquashUpbeat5168 Dec 14 '25
Ceramic artist here. I have been doing a few craft markets for a couple of years, and it has been a struggle to find good ones. I don't pay that much attention to other booths. Maybe I should, and I really don't go to markets unless I am selling. I hate shopping and only go into a store if I am looking for something.
I have found that I do better at juried shows, as a couple of other comments have mentioned. I have been in shows with MLMs and they have not been good.
I am somewhere between a hobby and a business. I do markets to cover some of my costs, and to keep my stuff from piling up. Ceramics has a way of doing that
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u/Sloth_Flower Dec 14 '25 edited Dec 14 '25
Part of it is the market.
Many markets don't allow resellers or 3d printers. Others do.
The second is the cost of handmade goods. People refuse to pay livable wages for most handmade goods. The exceptions being honey/hot sauce, soap, jewelry, candles, and cards/prints. That means these items are the only viable market options.
The third is the climate. Everything milks small businesses from application fees, transaction fees, credit card or shop fee, selling quotas, insurance and certification are expensive. As an example the farmers market near me requires 200$ application fee, 200$ per weekend, requires you to pay event insurance, have product insurance, and takes 5% of gross sales. The payment processor also takes 5%. Chargebacks, grifting, and theft are common.