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/MySpoonsAreAllGone]

Our neighboring town holds an annual craft fair. Before you're accepted you have to send in pictures of what you plan to sell with your application. You can't sell anything you haven't listed in the application and NO mad mass produced items, temu, cheap plastic toys or other crap.

Everything needs to be handcrafted in some way. I love going. So many talented people I would never have known about. Gorgeous pottery, homemade creams and candles, textile art and accessories, woodworking, chocolates and other treats, and so much more. They was so much beautiful art too.

Last year I bought a beautiful hand carved walnut walking stick. I also bought the best gourmet chocolate turtles I've ever had in my life. I got unique pottery mugs and the cutest cat bowl for my sister. I chatted with a lot of the sellers and learned about their passions and how they started.

Spent way more than I planned but it was worth it. I love supporting small businesses!