All in a Name?

[Apple Tree Crafts]

I've just had an email from a friend, who did a craft fair yesterday (not one of mine) and got chatting to some craft fair regulars.

At this craft fair, it came up in conversation that the word 'craft' is not at all popular with the public. Apparently, 'gift fairs' attract more people...'craft fairs' discourage them....why?

To my mind, 'gift fairs' suggests all sorts of things for sale, including the mass produced cheap imports.....it doesn't suggest high quality handcrafted goods.

What do you think about this? Opinions please.

Jules

[icecreamgirl]

...is that the term 'Gift' rather than 'craft' attracts not necessarily more customers but definatly more of the 'right sort' of customers....
meaning people who actually want to buy things and are not just out for the day to get ideas from other crafters.
Craft Fairs attract people who are just out for the day for a wander about to fill time.
Gift fairs attract people who are going out to buy things.
I really do think it's physcolgical. Gift fairs just make people want to buy stuff more....
The other thing is that Gift Fairs that are put on in the evening in my experience stalls do a lot better, not sure why that is...

[Apple Tree Crafts]

....food for thought.

How then, to promote handcrafted items at a Gift Fair? One would have to publicise heavily the 'handmade' element...I will not have the mass produced cr*p, I really just will not tolerate it (puts soapbox away, quickly)

ICG - I do see what you mean...especially the headology bit.

I feel this is very important so keep it coming everyone!

Jules

[Katianne]

I suppose you could promote an event as being a Handmade Gift Fair???

[Peter]

The one thing that says a 'fair' has bought in items is the word 'gift'. In my experience, 'craft fairs' are just that - handmade, 'craft & gift fairs' and 'art & craft fairs' are free for alls - anything is allowed if it looks crafty! I would steer away from the 'gift' word - that's where people go for 'country' items..................made in china. :)

How about 'designer' fair?

[zebra]

My twopence worth 'Designer craft fair' ?? ;)

[hammo]

When people see 'craft fairs', they would think it's kind of old-fashioned.

'Art & Craft Fairs', 'Designer Craft Fairs' or 'Art & Design Fairs' can imply these fairs would be highly original and more art / design focused.

I think this is just playing words but effective if you are aiming at upmarket.

[Katianne]

I like 'Art & Design Fair', although does that suggest it will be more of an Art Fair? What about Art, Design and Craft Fair' or is that going too far down the 'Craft Fair' route again???

[Peter]

Art & Design Fair's been done. Take lots of money and look out for Damien and Tracey! :)

[Katianne]

Art & Design Fair's been done. Take lots of money and look out for Damien and Tracey! :)

Huh??? Sorry, can you explain that, I am lost!!!??

[zebra]

Huh??? Sorry, can you explain that, I am lost!!!??

Damien hurst Tracy emin! ;)

[icecreamgirl]

It dosn't mean that you have to have the cheap 'tat' from China...
I mean you are in charge of who gets a stall so it's up to you who gets in, isn't it?
You could always call it a 'Handcrafted Gifts' Fair.
I really do think that it's about getting the right customers through the doors - people who are out to spend money!! and it's sad to say it but in my experience (and a lot of people i know) people do go to 'craft fairs' to get ideas for themselves...) come on we are all guilty of it....

[higgledy-piggledy]

I like the word designer with any other craft, art gift etc as we are all designers in our own rights and this kind of makes it sound like a modern craft fair.

[Peter]

Damien hurst Tracy emin! ;)

Sorry - slipped back into 'artist' mode! :sm:

[nattynetty]

I think the problem is that we know what a 'Craft Fair' is cos we are crafters but the general public don't necessarily have the same idea.

When we started doing craft fairs I had lots of friends say things along the lines of 'full of homemade jam made by old ladies' and I think a lot of people equate 'craft' with 'old fashioned' and if people don't come along we can't change their preconceptions.

I like the idea of 'gift & craft fair' and as someone said Jules you can dictate who gets stalls, maybe even add the word 'quality' to the front of it to deter the tat.

Putting the word 'Design' or 'Designer' in the title personally would put me off visiting as it says to me 'expensive' but they may just be me.

Anyway, thats my tuppence worth :)

[Katianne]

When we started doing craft fairs I had lots of friends say things along the lines of 'full of homemade jam made by old ladies' and I think a lot of people equate 'craft' with 'old fashioned' and if people don't come along we can't change their preconceptions.

I like the idea of 'gift & craft fair' and as someone said Jules you can dictate who gets stalls, maybe even add the word 'quality' to the front of it to deter the tat.



I agree with this, 'craft' does seem to suggest 'old' to a lot of people. And 'Craft & Gift Fair' sounds good if you ask me. :)

[Peter]

*Putting the word 'Design' or 'Designer' in the title personally would put me off visiting as it says to me 'expensive' but they may just be me.*

..............but I AM expensive dahlink! :p

[hammo]

Although I like 'Art & Design Fair' or 'Art & Craft Fair' personally, I can see why the public might think it's expensive and too art-focused.

For that reason, I think 'Quality Gift & Craft fair' will be more suitable and may represent the crafters.

Also phrases like 'original & unique designs', 'high quality handcrafted goods' can be added as a subtitle to emphasise the difference from the other craft fairs.

[Apple Tree Crafts]

....No, seriously, I love the 'designer' suggestion. I think that's a strong contender.

You are all right in what you say. Craft sounds old, designer by itself sounds monied (but we want the monied people who spend to come!).

This is great feedback, and really makes one think. I know I can control who comes and who doesn't (how bad does that sound...) but the important thing is getting the title right - finding out which 'buzz' words are going to attract the sort of people who are willing to part with their £££'s. I know that has a mercenary ring to it, but it's what we need. I do think we've picked the right towns for this.

I had never considered 'designer' but I think something along the lines of Designer Arts & Crafts, with bold mention of handcrafted quality gifts, is where we need to be. I despise 'designer' in terms of fashion, but that's just me....I am so not trendy.

It IS all headology, but never the less, it's so important. I cannot believe I hadn't even thought about it (dozey moo...) I must get Himself to read this too. Admittedly, it's going to be a sod to get on an A4 poster, with time, date & venue details too.

Thanks everyone, keep it coming!

Jules

[zebra]

Hi Jules :)

I think your right 'Designer Arts & Crafts' says it all for everyone. I don't think the word designer should put anyone off....and to be honest why should we not encourage the people we want to attend these events!?

If the word designer puts some people off, than maybe there not the type to make a purchase anyway! Ok some just want a nose round and spend a fiver, thats fine. But some are serious buyers and are looking for a unique wedding present for eg: and want to spend anything up to £200!

I attend Buxton Art and design fair, and yes it encourages the right people! I do note that they advertise the fact that it is a vetted fair also - so jo public knows there's no imported goods or car boot items!

I guess you have to be confident!...after all, we listen and look and learn from those selling to us all the time don't we?...we only know what we are told and shown.

Maybe 'CRAFT' is an age thing now? ....some people come up with images of peg pots - sticky back plastic and jars of jam.....mind you if it's lemon curd im in ;)

Good luck, I am sure you will have great success - whatever you call it ;)

[Peter]

OK - let's start an Arts & Design movement...............it worked for the Arts & Craft movement! :)

[Apple Tree Crafts]

Designer Made?

What does that convey, as in Designer Made Arts & Crafts?

Maybe OTT?

Jules

[Apple Tree Crafts]

I've just redesigned the Cheddar posters...they read;

Designer
Arts & Crafts
**Quality Handcrafted Gifts**

What does that sound like? Any good?

Jules

[Katianne]

Sounds good Jules. Maybe add 'Fair' at the end of 'Arts and Crafts' or did we say that that's not a good idea???

[BeyondBeads]

Yeah, i think adding the word 'fair' makes it more clear. I'd been pondering this myself for my own fair so thanks for all the tips guys! As I'm (hopefully) having massage and other therapies at my fair i was thinking of going down the 'relaxation, craft and gift fair' or something........

[icecreamgirl]

I like it:) Especially the 'Quality' bit!!!

[kipper workshops]

Just read through all the posts, catching up.

I'm not too keen on the 'designer' word generally but I think using it in this context, having it alongside the word 'craft' is a very good idea.

I think there are lots of old fashioned images linked to 'craft' (which is not all bad, I love home made jam stalls!!) but it certainly does need a shot in the arm.

I think the car boot mentality has created an expectation of what much of the public might expect at a fair.

I think you should go for it and use words like designer and quality etc... alongside 'craft'. It can only do good to lift the image of craft fairs so that those who want boot sale items go to the boot sales and those who want individual, handcrafted items come and spend thier money with us.

Just my thoughts. Hope you go for it and it is a big success. If I lived down your way I'd love to come too.

Steve:)

[Primmers]

This really is interesting: someone in here must read Terry Pratchett to think of 'headology'!

I am hoping for my first stall at a local gala day ( It's the one I told Katian about: it's held for the Beacon Centre for the Blind) in June.

I'm quite nervous about it: my daughter is coming with me to lend some support and also enable me to go to the loo without leaving the stall unattended.

I'm making as many cards as I can to build up some stock for it. It's quite slow work as I won't rush at them, and I sometimes have to wait for inspiration!

I think Apple Tree Crafts has hit on the almost perfect poster wording.

I like going to craft fairs as a customer, and this type of poster would attract me. I've been disappointed in the past at so-called craft fairs where there appeared to be nothing but cheap imported goods made by almost slave-labour in China, but we won't go there as it's a hobbyhorse of mine.:mad:

I try and source as many as possible of my own components from ethically sound places, but it can be extremely hard given the huge business that card and paper craft has become.

What the West wants, the East produces, sometimes under appalling conditions.

I wish Cheddar were nearer for me. I would love to come.

[JBJB]

Hi all - I'm new to the forum. I am the said friend that Jules refers to in her opening post.

I did a disastorous event on Easter weekend (shan't name names in case the organiser is reading!) I was booked for 2 days, but decided to come home after the first day as I sold 5 pairs of earrings the whole day - and I know it's not my stock or prices that are to blame!

The people who were there had to pay to get in and then they just seemed to walk round like zombies, most of them not even stopping to have a look, just giving a cursory glance left and right and then wandering off. It wasn't even a 3p event (pick up, put down, p*** off) !! I got chatting to the couple next to me (nothing else to do after all!) and they have been doing shows for 15 years. They said they have definitely seen a decline in

a) attendance figures to events, and
b) people putting their hands in their pockets

I quizzed them a bit and that's when the theory that "craft" has almost become a "dirty word" in the public's perception, conjouring up (as many people have said here) homemade jams and knitted clown-dolls, etc,

They say their absolute best shows are agricultural shows where people have had to pay a fair-ish bit to get into the venue in the first place and as a result are determined to see absolutely everything on offer. These events usually have big displays going on, rides for the kiddies, that sort of thing - a whole day out for the family sort of thing.

They also said it's important to have "impulse buys" on your table, or something a bit "whacky" to enable you to engage with people. I personally have a few bracelets that I make out of safety pins, purely so I can ask them to have a look and see what it's made from. Anyway, I digress.......

I think sometimes the word "craft fair" does have it's place, probably at bigger shows where there is a craft marquee as well as other attractions. If you're wanting people to come inside into a venue - particularly when the weather's so nice - I think the "designer" / "quality" aspect has to come into it. Yes, it is all "headology" of course it is, you're asking people to part with their hard-earned cash, usually when the weather outside is fab! What other incentives get people to come in off the street and out of their houses to go shopping? Freebies? Money off coupons? Discounts? I'm just throwing ideas out, but how do the big retailers do it?

Anyway, nice to meet you all!
Emma

[swirlyarts]

This is a very interesting discussion!
I do think that the word craft can conjure up the idea of quaint and twee items. The US seems to be much more forward thinking than here in terms of what they call their craft fairs. Not sure they would work in some parts of the UK but they might give you some ideas - I've been through some of my blogs and looked at the events that people have attended.
urban craft fair
extreme craft
bazaar bizarre
craftacular
crafty wonderland
craftland
mastercraft
renegade craft fair
indie craft experience
urban design + craft fair
urban craft uprising
rock and shop market
craft mafia
art vs. craft
urban street bazaar

As I said - not sure if they would work in the UK but food for thought. I like urban design and craft fair but not sure if it would scare some people off? I did see one called Crafty Bas***ds but not sure we are ready for that yet!!