There were a reasonable number of people mooching around the craft fair but not so many people buying. Several of the visitors to the event were saying that they would love to treat themselves (a friend or loved one) but have just received their BIGGER than expected winter fuel bill or increased council tax bill so treats are off the shopping list for now. Understandable in the current economic climate.
I have also read several comments recently on blogs and in forums suggesting that craft fairs, especially the smaller village or church hall type events, have had their day. I have heard people say that there are just too many around, a lot of people jumped on the band wagon hoping to make a quick buck from them, they started cropping up all over the place and because of that they are losing their appeal.
I do hope this isn't the case.
I am a member of a craft group that hosts a monthly fair in St Ives (Cambridgeshire, not the one in Cornwall) and it's as much a social and networking event for the members as it is a place to sell.
http://saintscrafters.blogspot.com
Many of the members have been going for a number of years and great friendships have been formed through their shared interest in art and craft.
It's also a great opportunity to get direct, face to face feedback from customers and other stall holders about designs, techniques or ways to display work. Of course there is the chance to get feedback when selling online and I have received some wonderful emails and thank you cards from customers but it doesn't quite compare with seeing someone with a great big grin on their face as they walk away wearing a piece of my jewellery.
I do hope that the genuine craft fair where you can buy direct from the maker (not those selling mass produced imported goods) are here to stay. I really enjoy going to them both as a seller and as a buyer and the fact that people are still attending and looking at what's on offer means that they are interested, even if they aren't always in a position to buy.
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I have been adding to my bracelet collection; all are available at www.arcjewellery.co.uk on Etsy or on Folksy.
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