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I am so tired of booking shows and when I get there people are set up with, pots andf pans, junk store jewelry, and so on.Am I wrong a craft show is handmade goods. It makes me really angry when store bought stuff sells better at CRAFT shows than handmade crafts. I think I am about done with crafting. Last night I pored my heart into many different items and done a show and guess what sold junk jewelry, pampered chef and so. Do any of you feel that way?

I had the same problem at the last craft show I did. The show was only to have handmade items, but there were other things there, like Avon, candles ect.
That show used to be so nice to get some nice christmas gifts, being it is in Nov,but they don't get the turn out like they used to. I was going to do the show this year, but changed my mind. I plan on making some nice things for my family gifts instead.

I feel for you...can you attend other sales you see advertised to see if there are any that don't allow this to happen? If you find one you can see if they would let you join in next time? I think vendors starting dropping out when the stores started importing cheap copies of the same crafts we had been creating.

I have seen this change creeping into shows over the last 10 years here too. Thirty years ago I was hosting sales in my home, so I controlled what was sold. When I moved here I found a large yearly event with a LARGE following & looked into it - I was told they already had someone selling what I was making at the time...now they are allowing duplications and the ready made candles, jewelry, etc LOL. For several years I organized a craft sale as an outlet for school district employees' creations, and they had to be handmade. Now I am back to hosting in my home and inviting vendors I know so it is good for them too.
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This message has been edited. Last edited by: KG in CA,

I have not participated in craft shows in many years. Back then my issue was that show goers seemed to prefer cutesy junk over classy, well made wares. Even back then, there was completion between Chinese made goods vs,USA handcraft wares. Pricing is key, but it's becoming increasingly difficult to compete with Chinese imports. Too many people let the value price tag override creativity and quality handmade goods. Quality was secondary to price. Btw, I've always felt that presentation (including fair pricing, packaging, signage and lighting greatly impacts sales. Having a personable approach and a willingness to accept custom orders to fill after the show closes also increases sales and profits. Perhaps those interested in participating in selling at craft shows should learn the rules of each show to lessen or ban the sale of commerically made goods. I agree that commercially made products have no place in craft shows. Juried shows are such venues that insure all venders meet strict rules tho the registration fees are typically higher. The caliber of goods in these juried shows is higher than show at schools, churches, etc. and they often are annual events with a growing attendee count. If your handcrafts meet the organizer's requirements, you can command a higher price per item than you would in a less regulated show.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Froo Froo,

Hi again. I did a search regarding this issues and juried shows. It appears that they too can be tainted by unscrupulous venders tricking the judges and bringing in overseas goods too. I guess no show is completely honest and the rules are flimsy at best. There will always be people ending the rules and spoiling it for honest crafters. As another responder suggested, holding a craft show in your home is perhaps the only way to avoid this occurrence. It can be a risky practice tho. You should invite only people you know and encourage them to bring a friend along.

I once held a home show and went overboard both with the assortment of merchandise and the homemade baked goods and refreshments served. Obviously you need not play Martha Stewart. Btw, it was quite profitable and I was asked to do additional holiday floral pieces for a neighbor post show.

Funny I should stumble on this post right now. I've been trying to get in touch with a show organizer all week so I could comment (complain) about a "craft" show I've gone to for years. This year the show was probably 60% commercial stuff - Tupperware, Cutco, Pampered Chef, Avon, a cruise line, etc. I did notice that they quietly changed the name of the show & took out "craft" -- kept the same logo, but that word was changed to something else (I forget what).

Of the other booths, many were filled with commercially-made products. Maybe 25% of the show was truly crafts made at home by crafters. The show wanted several hundred dollars per booth, so maybe that's why they can't bring in more homemade things?

I was disappointed, and I heard others walking around saying the same thing! And now the show organizer isn't answering the phone...

Sad, but think actual "crafting" is DEAD?? A few years back, got a table at local HS Chirstmas craft show. Had SEVERAL handpainted OLD windows that I KNOW were nice. Had a good/decent price on them, got LOTS of comments, and not ONE sale!?!

Stopped at neighborhood community school's Holiday Bizarre today. VERY few handmade items. One table had some really nice, hand-knit/crocheted throws... bet she didn't sell many... and they were NICE?? Tables with PC, T-ware, Simply-something stuff. It's sad!!

Locally there is a Holiday Bazaar after Thanksgiving. It used to be only handmade treasures to be had at reasonable prices. Now there are only a few handmade booths. Three years ago a woman was selling the redneck beer glasses for $15 each and the potato bags were $10. I can make a redneck glass for less then $2. Why should I pay $15? I make the potato bags from scraps. I know handmade is special but the prices are getting ridiculously high. I don't go to the Bazaar any more.

I do shop the booths at the farmer's market where I can get the cutest home sewn aprons for $10 and $15. There is a booth with handmade totes and bags all less than $25. The snappy bags are only $5 to $8 depending on the size. Money is tight and people are looking for value for what they spend. I will buy the $8 mass produced stocking before spending $25 for an almost identical handmade one.

I have not seen any cheap Chinese things that looked as nice as the handmade stuff around here. I totally understand your point I M Joyce - especially with those redneck glasses. But most other things I've seen from crafters is just too nice. The garbage that is mass-produced in most cases is so cheesy I wouldn't waste my money on it. And it frosts my buns to see the designs that we crafters create stolen by those outfits. I refuse to buy anything that I personally know was a knockoff of something someone else created. Yes, the times are tough but I figure that is the time crafters are trying to help their own families out with that little extra money. So many things seem high to me because I just don't have the money like I used to (for instance, handmade quilts - absolutely love them, just can't afford them) but that doesn't mean they aren't worth it. And too many shows charge WAY too much money for a table so the crafters end up having to either not do the show or charge more. I agree with KG - doing home shows is great but as Froo Froo said, it's risky. I haven't done one since my husband died but would love to. Won't without at least several others there. I'd be too nervous.

I do not believe that crafting is dead but that
true hand made crafts shows may be on their
way out.
In Butler County, PA there is one
every fall which is huge and wonderful. All hand
made items as it is juried.
A lot of crafters are selling on-line through
Etsy, etc. A lot easier without all the set-
up work.

The few shows my daughter was involved in they did not get duplicates and they had to see what was going to be sold when booked. Perhaps you have to check for this kind of thing before you enter. To find out what is going to be there. Or host your own.