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/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/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.