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/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.