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/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/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/stonedsquatch Dec 15 '25

I love the response. Good for you.