Image of craft fairs

[swirlyarts]

Morning,
I've just been looking through some of my bookmarked craft blogs and most of them are from America/Australia. Loads of the people exhibit at craft fairs but they have really cool names like craft mania and craft mafia. They make me want to go to them!! Why in Britain do you think we don't advertise craft fairs like that - I've only ever really seen 'arts and craft show' and stuff like that. Early Sunday morning musings!! What are the crafts fairs you exhibit at called?

[Apple Tree Crafts]

......just called mine Spring Craft Fair.

I didn't realise that craft fairs abroad were given these catchy names. I may have to think of one for mine before I print the paperwork & posters.

Although I think you have to pitch it right; If I called mine craft mafia, a lot of the people in Cheddar wouldn't realise what it was, posters or not, and wouldn't come. The would find the word Mafia off-putting.

I suppose Spring Craft Fair says everything it needs to, even if it's mundane. Hmmmmmm.........this needs thinking about.

Any suggestions?

Jules

[Peter]

It's the stiff upper lip thing - it's OK having a global village, but the english are the one's on the outskirts in the little mud hut.:horse:

[swirlyarts]

Well thats what I wondered too - are craft fairs seen as very British and twee? I can see some of the things like a craft mania fair being good in London, Manchester or Leeds but outside of these areas I think it wouldn't be too popular. I saw a great one advertised - I think in Australia - that was called plastic fantastic and it featured loads of plastic jewellery! Do you think I could justify it as a business expense to fly over for 'research'!! :mf:

[helenwoodward]

Swirlyarts I feel your pain. I've been ranting on about this forever!! Craft fairs need to shake off the dust and doilies (and blue rinse) and GET WITH THE PROGRAMME!! We need cool, young 'designer-makers' who have ambition and style. There's loads of us, so why are we still in a 'craft fair' time warp??? There is the opportunity to start your own craft mafia here in the UK...google craft mafia (glasgow or manchester for example) and you'll see

Wishing I lived somewhere, where this kind of thing would work...

[Delta]

Swirly, as we are both in Burnley, we could revive the old Suicide Squad and take it away from the football 'fans' :D

Or of course we in East Lancs could just form a covern :sm:

[Extra Special Touch Gifts]

I agree!

We all need to get up to date.

I have only set up this spring and have attended a few craft fairs this year...

and I've been shcoked at the stalls that have been busy... old fashioned painted plates... old fashioned candels etc...

Although of course, there is a place for items like this.... because only older customers are coming in, tables with more contempory gifts (such as my own) have huge problems....

Theres just no, twenty / thirty somethings coming in!

Maybe a new name would incease younger customers...

Something like... Local Dsigner Craft Fair / Traditional & Comtempory Craft Fair

Not too unusual... but make it sound a bit more up to date?

[prem2pram]

I too think craft fairs needs to change it's image, when you think about it crafting is like producing the next hot thing any one of a crafters items could very well turn out to be the latest must have.

Going to a craft fair could be the equivalent of a cat walk, as it show cases designers work many of which are unique. The definition of the word craft " the skilled practice of a practical occupation"

We are all skilled in our own field, we all produce something that is not readily available in the shops, we are the craft designers of tomorrows next hot thing.

[Lucy's Designs]

I think the problem is that the term 'craft fair' sounds like it came off the Ark, and I think that terms hold certain stereotypes about the kind of people who go to a craft fair and the kind of goods on sale there. I know when I've been looking for places to sell I'm always more excited about an event being advertised as a 'craft market' or 'handmade market'...don't know why but it just seems a little more fashionable with a younger, studenty crowd

[helenwoodward]

I totally agree Lucy. Handmade / crafting is so popular amongst a younger crowd, so jumping on the 'Handmade' bandwagon would make a big difference. It seems subtle but the wording has to appeal to a different audience. When I am on holiday anywhere in the UK and I pass by a church hall with a badly scribbled 'craft fair' sign on a piece of cardboard I want to run in the opposite direction...and I'm a designer! I urge everyone to check out Craft Mafia sites in the UK. Started in the US and has now made its way here. Check out their ethos - graphics, marketing etc. all reflect this.

[smileykate]

Hi there,
I saw this thread and had to reply! Definitely agree that the public's perception of craft fairs tends to be that of an event that's outdated - they just don't appeal to the younger generation sadly :-(
Despite there being LOADS of people under 30 who are into arts and crafts there aren't many who sell or attend traditional craft fairs - as a twentysomething I can definitely vouch for this. However, I'm lucky enough to live in London where there are plenty of groups that promote arty events to all ages.
Google 'We make london', 'craft guerilla' and 'spitalfields market/sunday up market' - there are some great events out there :-)
x

[MuranoSilver]

A lot of the success (or not) of craft fairs has got to be down to how they're promoted.....
I've been lucky enough to get into the "Made by Artisans (http://www.madebyartisans.co.uk/)" Christmas Fair in Peterborough.
The marketing they do is much funkier and not a "doily" in sight (jam and chutneys though! ;))
http://www.madebyartisans.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/web_featured_ban.jpg
They provide banners (like the one above) to post on your web site, blog etc and do 50 incentive packs for people walking through the door.
There's also press releases and press intro evenings...

I'm very impressed by them!
Nic x

[David Smith]

Hi,

I do agree that "Craft Fair" has various connotations, some better than others, but to do away with it entirely might run the risk of throwing the baby out with the bath water?

Perhaps a way forward is to have the Title for the event in the "traditional" way, but then to emphasise what is on offer in the following strap-line(s) of the advertising?

Best wishes
David

[Lucy's Designs]

Posters generally aren't too bad as even with a 'Craft Fair' heading there's room for a description or pictures to represent the event. I was thinking more of when you're driving along somewhere and see a sign that just says 'Craft Fair' plonked on a roundabout close to the venue...personally I'd probably go because I understand what a craft fair entails, but I think younger people would be more inclined to park up and have a look around if they passed a sign saying 'Handmade Market' or 'Handmade Fair'

[horai]

I think Peter hit the nail on the head. How about Global Village Craft Fairs.

[Aviya Glass]

I totally agree, craft fair does not really do the edgier / modern / designer aspect of handmade any favours.
There is certainly room for both traditional and modern but they do need different audiences and different names.

That said USA does razzmatazz very well and I can't see mania or any other term designed to hype having the same impact here. ;) :D

[TizzyDizzy]

I think that it's a lot to do with trying to re-educate the public. Unfortunately the term 'craft fair' is so embedded into the British mindset that it is difficult to persuade people that craft can mean funky, modern and stylish.

There are small pockets around the UK with small independent event organisers setting up events and trying to change how people's perceptions. Good point being H@ndmade and Make It.

It's a catch-22, if you don't use the term 'craft' in your fair promotion, would people understand what type of event it is?

@Nic - jams and chutneys are required by law at fairs didn't you know! ;)

[Critchley]

Hi,

I do agree that "Craft Fair" has various connotations, some better than others, but to do away with it entirely might run the risk of throwing the baby out with the bath water?

Perhaps a way forward is to have the Title for the event in the "traditional" way, but then to emphasise what is on offer in the following strap-line(s) of the advertising?

Best wishes
David

Perhaps something as simple as "Young Ideas Craft Fair" would work.

[David Smith]

Perhaps, but then you'd find (on doing the market research!) that loads of people thought it was to do with stuff for babies and toddlers and therefore of no interest to them.

Never underestimate the willingness of people to misunderstand the simplest things.

Best wishes
David

[Critchley]

Mmm. But I do agree, Craft Fair is just a wee bit 'fuddy-duddy' for this era.

[David Smith]

Throwing "Craft Fair" onto the scrapheap would be unfortunate and unfair. The problem is, I would suggest, with the multiplicity of "Craft Fairs" which are lacking in quality and diversity, and which do not deserve the title, being full of bought in goods, and the sort of dire sloppy third rate "made while I was doing the ironing" stuff which you may think is great therapy for someone with too much time on their hands but which no-one with 6:6 vision and a modicum of good taste is ever ever ever going to buy.

The same problem affects all sorts of events in its own pernicious way.

I was reminded earlier today by SHMBO about an Art Deco Fair I ran many many years ago. Some late booking (too late to ask for references or payment in advance, and there was not the internet then!) turned up, lady of middling years, clothed up her stall, stuck two large boxes under it and disappeared. My usual suspects were intrigued. "Who is she? What has she got? Will it be the most amazing Clarice that will make us all look silly?"

Ten minutes before we are due to open the doors to the public ( ie serious collectors of Art Deco, knowledgeable and picky ) she re-appears and starts setting up her display.

I am surrounded by aggrieved Art Deco dealers. "David!!! It's confectionery!!"

I approach said table, where madam is busy putting piles of cellophane wrapped chocolates onto her stand.

"Excuse me, you do know that this is an Art Deco Fair? Do you actually have any confectionery that dates to 1930?"

She was not pleased at being asked to leave.

Then all my dealers complained that they quite fancied a chocolate.

True story.

Best wishes
David

[Carl Martin]

To me it's an antiquated term that conjures up "boring". I've been to many and to be honest have enjoyed only a handfull (Never exhibited, I took the decision 10 yrs ago they really were not worth doing). Many have summed it up very well ...... the profile and image has to be lifted.The prices have to be in line with what is being produced .

[Cazann]

In my opinion the terms Craft Fair or Craft Show are too widely and wrongly used which is what has put people off. My sister and I went to the Thoresby Craft Show on Sunday, paid £4.50 to get in and walk around a circle of stalls that were mainly commercial factory made goods. There were handbags, clothing, fancy goods etc and even a birds of prey tent but very few stalls that were actually crafts.

So the two of us paid £9 for a half hour walk looking at overpriced goods we couldn't afford and we felt we'd been ripped off. I was talking to one of the stall holders who was saying how much it had cost him to stand, so I'm not surprised the goods were so highly priced, they had to get their money back. Even less surprising that there were so few crafts as I'm sure they just wouldn't have made it pay.

It wasn't at all what I expected and it would have been better advertised as a Country Show, then I wouldn't have felt they'd taken my money under false pretences. I won't go again and I'll be very wary when I see anything advertised as a craft show.

[MuranoSilver]

There are small pockets around the UK with small independent event organisers setting up events and trying to change how people's perceptions. Good point being H@ndmade and Make It.

It's a catch-22, if you don't use the term 'craft' in your fair promotion, would people understand what type of event it is?

@Nic - jams and chutneys are required by law at fairs didn't you know! ;)

Oooh good, as it's The Law I'll have a good excuse to buy some then ;)
Will also keep a look out for H@ndmade and Make it events too!

Cazaan -
I must admit I'd have felt ripped off as an attendee and as a stall holder too. Unless there's some serious entertainment or lots of demonstrations (for which the stall holders get subsidised entry) then I think entry should be free. That way people don't have money thy've already paid on their minds and stall holders get as many people seeing their wares as possible!

Nic x

[David Smith]

Cazann,

Wasn't Thoresby advertised as a Craft, Food and Country Gift Show? ie the Craft Fair was only one element? Even so, it is sad that you should be disappointed, especially given the claims made for the event on the organiser's website.

Best wishes
David