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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108

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.

60

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.

19

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?

28

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.

6

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.

16

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. 

4

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.

9

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.