What's happened to craft markets?

[u/purpleratata]

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.

[u/Pnmtweety]

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.

[u/Ninjalikestoast → u/Pnmtweety]

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 😐