What's up with craft shows?

Question

I recently got a table at an arts and craft show. I design and decorate ladies shirts with paint, sequin, stones, etc. When I signed up fot the show I was asked what I would be selling and was told it could not be commercially made items. It would be something that I had to have done by hand, which meant my shirts were fine. I sell other items as well like fashion jewelry, but by no means do I make these so I did not bring them to the show. Imagine my surprise when more than 75% of the vendors were selling only commercial items, like fashion jewelry stamped made in China, figurined stamped made in China, and packaged toys. There is nothing craft about it. I recently attended another show that was the exact same way. Is this how craft shows are now? Like a flea market?

Answer 1

Add me to the list of the disgruntled. I work my *** off creating unique items and making them specia to sell at upscale events. And I've been surprised at the offshore junk, some which is obviously counterfeit. One place sold plastic linked C "chanel" earrings for five dollars each! At a recent show I was approached by some business people from china who wanted to take some of my things and have them mass manufactured in china. That way, they said I could have larger quantities, cheaper costs and they would still be my ideas. Perhaps that's what going on, the lure of cheap labor. One thing they couldn't offer me was exclusive rights to my designs. I have the feeling once they started making them, they wouldn't hesitate to sell them to *whoever* And then I would be out of luck. It's time we all start complaining to the people who run these shows.

Answer 2

WEll let me tell you. I do shows almost every weekend. that are listed as Handmade crafts adn I make all my own Jewelry and let me tell you the number of purchased items is 75% higher than those that are handmade. It is very very sad. I can remember when I was younger in my teens and my mom did craft shows and they were that then. Now they are a joke. They things that are purchased is usually what people will flock too also.

I hate it but what can we do. I keep looking for answers.

thanks and good luck
mas

also try www.eventlister.com Use me if you need a name it is [e-mail]

you can ifnd some great shows there.

good luck
mas

Answer 3

Your craft show organiser misled you. This is a common problem and it has reaches a pojnt these days where you need to be the one asking THEM the questions! I am a crafting snob, I won't sell OR shop at those shows. They wasted your money!

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Answer 4

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Answer 5

you should take it up with the shows committie and get your money back because it was not by any means an all arts show.