It is harder and harder to find a craft show that makes sure that all that is being offered for sale is actually handmade by the artist who is selling in the booth. We no longer will do a craft show that we have not seen in advance. We attend many shows - walk through the entire show and count how many people selling are selling commercial imports and the numbers are staggering.
We have stop doing most shows that we have done over the years. The few that we do have remained with a majority of real craft being sold but those shows have their growing share of commercial import vendors. One has to question why even call these craft shows at all. Some shows that had wonderful reputations for many years have now started to call themselves craft and gift show because the majority of vendors are selling commercially made items - known in the retail industry as "buy and sell".
Are there fewer craftspeople? Certainly not. What there are - are more people who are out of work who have decided that it is easy to wholesale purchase imports and sell them at craft shows. Some will be very open about what they are selling - offering them in their commercial packaging with the Made in China stickers in place on the items themselves. Some think they are pulling something on the public and when asked if they have made something say yes - and that something is what was seen on the infomercial the night before being sold for $19.99 and you get two plus all of these extras. Really - one guy insisted he made the pocketbooks with the insides that move from bag to bag - just ignore those packing cartons with the commercial name of the product on them under the table. These people think they are pulling something on the craft-buying public and I guess they are because they are there at the craft show selling and people are buying.
I have been asked why can't the two - real craft and buy and sell items go together at a show. The reason is very simple - there is no way to compete. I can purchase from a catalog at wholesale very attractive jewelery that I could sell and make a good profit for at two for ten dollars. And I have seen vendors at craft shows selling exactly this. Now, if it takes me an hour to make a handmade necklace and it costs me ten dollars in materials, how could I sell that necklace at two for $10 to compete with the import seller? There is no way.
I have been at craft shows - very prestigious craft shows - where a customer will come up and ask if I make what they are looking at in my booth. I have to say "of course" which is the truth - but just that someone is asking me and the rest of the real crafts people selling is an indication that something is really wrong. I have seen other legitimate crafts people put signs up that say, "We make everything that we sell." How sad to have to do that at a craft show.
There had been a problem in some states around what could be called a "flea market" and what should not be and some states passed laws about the use of the name "flea market". When the same has been proposed by the craft community about the name "craft show" it has been ignored.
I wish I had an answer. The best that you can do is let the promoters at a craft show know that the people who are selling are not selling crafts - but you know what has happened when I have done that - the response is " So?"
Showing posts with label flea market. Show all posts
Showing posts with label flea market. Show all posts
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Thursday, May 27, 2010
So Many Just Don't Know
I have written about CPSIA - the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 before. See this article. This law was passed almost two years ago in August and has been in full effect now for some time. This law effects every craftsperson and artist who works in children's themed craft or art. Anything made to be used of for a child under the age of 12 comes under this law.
Now, I am not going to write another article telling you about this law, but I am going to tell you about my amazement that no one still knows that this law even exists. With the exception of the craft artists that are active on the Internet, no one else knows. Crafts artists don't know. Consumers don't know. The media - newspapers, television, and radio - does not seem to know.
This past weekend we were at a very high class art show - visiting, not selling. The show featured fine art and also high end craft. One of the craftsmen there was selling children's furnishings, toys, etc. All handmade of wood and painted. Now the wood is not a problem under this law, as long as the wood is not finished or coated in any way. This wood was painted and therein lies the problem. The paint is not permitted under the law without extensive and expensive testing. And the testing process for the most part is prohibitive to those selling craft.
There is also a labeling requirement in this law. Every children's item must be labeled permanently in a certain way. Was any of this fine work for children labeled? No. Was this craft artist ignoring the law. No. He knew nothing at all about the law and neither did the people who were buying from him.
Even commercial items for children under 12 that are supposed to now all be labeled to be in compliance with the law are not. Many, many retail stores have new inventory on their shelves without the required and specific label. While large retailers may be very much aware of what they risk and have decided not to sell anything out of compliance, many small businesses, like everyone else, have no idea about CPSIA.
This is just amazing. Why is this law kept such a big secret? It is like saying that now everyone must stop at a red light but not tell anyone. What can be done about it? Frankly, I don't know. I do know that this law needs to be drastically changed and amended or at best repealed and rewritten to be responsible legislation. But that is not going to happen. But at least, while everyone that is involved with making or selling children's items must comply with this law, tell people about it.
Just my observations...
Now, I am not going to write another article telling you about this law, but I am going to tell you about my amazement that no one still knows that this law even exists. With the exception of the craft artists that are active on the Internet, no one else knows. Crafts artists don't know. Consumers don't know. The media - newspapers, television, and radio - does not seem to know.
This past weekend we were at a very high class art show - visiting, not selling. The show featured fine art and also high end craft. One of the craftsmen there was selling children's furnishings, toys, etc. All handmade of wood and painted. Now the wood is not a problem under this law, as long as the wood is not finished or coated in any way. This wood was painted and therein lies the problem. The paint is not permitted under the law without extensive and expensive testing. And the testing process for the most part is prohibitive to those selling craft.
There is also a labeling requirement in this law. Every children's item must be labeled permanently in a certain way. Was any of this fine work for children labeled? No. Was this craft artist ignoring the law. No. He knew nothing at all about the law and neither did the people who were buying from him.
Even commercial items for children under 12 that are supposed to now all be labeled to be in compliance with the law are not. Many, many retail stores have new inventory on their shelves without the required and specific label. While large retailers may be very much aware of what they risk and have decided not to sell anything out of compliance, many small businesses, like everyone else, have no idea about CPSIA.
This is just amazing. Why is this law kept such a big secret? It is like saying that now everyone must stop at a red light but not tell anyone. What can be done about it? Frankly, I don't know. I do know that this law needs to be drastically changed and amended or at best repealed and rewritten to be responsible legislation. But that is not going to happen. But at least, while everyone that is involved with making or selling children's items must comply with this law, tell people about it.
Just my observations...
Saturday, December 13, 2008
New CPSIA Law to Put an End to All Handmade Crafts for Children
A law unanimously passed by Congress with the intent to protect children from imported items containing lead was written in such a way that it will effectively end the sale all handmade for children. The law goes into full effect in February 2009.
The law requires that anyone - large business or home businesses making any item that can be used by a child under the age of 12 - that is ANY item - must be tested by an independent laboratory that has been approved by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. This testing must be done on all components of the item. Testing will cost from $150 to $500 per item or component. Every time any component lot changes - that is - let's say you use a yard of fabric for an item - and then you need another yard and that yard comes from a different bolt of fabric - that item must be tested again. At the expense and the nature of handmade craft, it will be impossible for any home craftsman to sell any item that will be on the "children's list".
Beyond the effect on home craft, this law applies to the Toy Industry, the Children's Garment Industry, the Children's Furniture Industry, Children's Book Publishing, and on and on. Imagine what a child's shirt will cost in the next few months. Think about what that doll your little girl wants will cost.
This is a tragedy beyond belief. This may not have been the intention of Congress but it is the result.
The following news article relates the facts of this disaster better than I can.
http://www.patriotledger.com/opinions/opinions_columnists/x845827383/New-law-to-put-thousands-out-of-work
Please read and comment - there and here.
If you would like to be heard by the CPSC regarding this law you may comment at this link.
http://www.cpsc.gov/cgibin/newleg.aspx
The law requires that anyone - large business or home businesses making any item that can be used by a child under the age of 12 - that is ANY item - must be tested by an independent laboratory that has been approved by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. This testing must be done on all components of the item. Testing will cost from $150 to $500 per item or component. Every time any component lot changes - that is - let's say you use a yard of fabric for an item - and then you need another yard and that yard comes from a different bolt of fabric - that item must be tested again. At the expense and the nature of handmade craft, it will be impossible for any home craftsman to sell any item that will be on the "children's list".
Beyond the effect on home craft, this law applies to the Toy Industry, the Children's Garment Industry, the Children's Furniture Industry, Children's Book Publishing, and on and on. Imagine what a child's shirt will cost in the next few months. Think about what that doll your little girl wants will cost.
This is a tragedy beyond belief. This may not have been the intention of Congress but it is the result.
The following news article relates the facts of this disaster better than I can.
http://www.patriotledger.com/opinions/opinions_columnists/x845827383/New-law-to-put-thousands-out-of-work
Please read and comment - there and here.
If you would like to be heard by the CPSC regarding this law you may comment at this link.
http://www.cpsc.gov/cgibin/newleg.aspx
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Craft Show Wisdom
It is a disgrace. Craft shows are becoming flea markets. There are more commercial "buy and sell" items at craft shows than there are crafts - it does not seem to matter to the promoters who are running the craft shows or the shoppers. So - what does it matter. The promoters are happy and the the shoppers don't mind. Who is it hurting?
IT IS HURTING THE CRAFT ARTISTS! We spend a lot of time creating the things that we make and sell. We express our feelings, our emotions, and our talent in what we create. It is art. It is art that we wish to share through sale to those who appreciate art. The traditional venues to sell art - and craft - is through a gallery or a craft show. The craft show has been the opportunity for the beginning crafts person to introduce his/her work to the world and seek buyers. As craft shows are being run now, that opportunity will soon be gone. There will be no more crafts at craft shows. The artists and the craftspeople will give up because we cannot compete with a guy selling imported merchandise that wholesales for two dollars and he is selling for $5.
At one time - and this is many years ago, it was hidden. The items would be placed out on display disguised as craft - if asked, they would even say "Oh, yes, I make these." One guy even told us that the same ones that you see in Macy's were made by him. (Right!) Now, it is blatent with no attempt at disguise. The import labels are clearly visible. The commercial packaging is right there with the item. The cartons are stacked under the table - all clearly and commercially marked.
We went to a show recently where only four out of the thirty so-called "crafts people" actually made the items that they were selling. There was a table with AVON. There was a table with Webkinz. There was a table with commercially made and packaged candles. There was a table with imported and still in the package scarves. There was a table with a commercial catalog out for you to pick jewelry from. There was a table with books. These, and many more tables of commercial jewelry. The sign outside said "CRAFT SHOW". The advertisement in the paper - which must have cost the promoter $1,000 - said "CRAFT SHOW". But where were the crafts.
What can be done? Not much. Here is why. This happened to me and I know others that it has happened to as well. Here is our story - we were at a craft show that had a good reputation for a community show. We saw many booths selling commercial items and we went to the people who were running the show to point this out to them. They told us that they did not know - what is not to know - the items are tagged "Made in China". They told us that they would go around and look. If they did or not, it does not matter. All of those booths continued to sell their imports for the rest of the day. Now, the kicker. The next year we sent an application to the show. We were not accepted. We went to see the show and what did we find - even more booths selling imports. If you complain, you are not wanted back. So it is better to keep your mouth shut if there is any chance that you might want to come back again next year. This has not just happened to us, but to others at other shows also!
The promoters get their money on the participation fees. Anyone's money is good to them. And calling it a craft show will bring in different and more people than calling it a flea market.
Why do people buy from these booths? They see something that they like and it does not matter who made it or where it came from - and besides it is a bargain.
If you are a shopping at a craft show and you see commercial items go up to the booth and tell the seller how talented she is and then ask how she make these lovely things. See what answer you get. If she (he) tries to bluff then point out the import tags. If it is admitted that they did not make any of it - ask why they are at a crafts show when they should be at a flea market. I am sure that they will say because no one stopped them.
IT IS HURTING THE CRAFT ARTISTS! We spend a lot of time creating the things that we make and sell. We express our feelings, our emotions, and our talent in what we create. It is art. It is art that we wish to share through sale to those who appreciate art. The traditional venues to sell art - and craft - is through a gallery or a craft show. The craft show has been the opportunity for the beginning crafts person to introduce his/her work to the world and seek buyers. As craft shows are being run now, that opportunity will soon be gone. There will be no more crafts at craft shows. The artists and the craftspeople will give up because we cannot compete with a guy selling imported merchandise that wholesales for two dollars and he is selling for $5.
At one time - and this is many years ago, it was hidden. The items would be placed out on display disguised as craft - if asked, they would even say "Oh, yes, I make these." One guy even told us that the same ones that you see in Macy's were made by him. (Right!) Now, it is blatent with no attempt at disguise. The import labels are clearly visible. The commercial packaging is right there with the item. The cartons are stacked under the table - all clearly and commercially marked.
We went to a show recently where only four out of the thirty so-called "crafts people" actually made the items that they were selling. There was a table with AVON. There was a table with Webkinz. There was a table with commercially made and packaged candles. There was a table with imported and still in the package scarves. There was a table with a commercial catalog out for you to pick jewelry from. There was a table with books. These, and many more tables of commercial jewelry. The sign outside said "CRAFT SHOW". The advertisement in the paper - which must have cost the promoter $1,000 - said "CRAFT SHOW". But where were the crafts.
What can be done? Not much. Here is why. This happened to me and I know others that it has happened to as well. Here is our story - we were at a craft show that had a good reputation for a community show. We saw many booths selling commercial items and we went to the people who were running the show to point this out to them. They told us that they did not know - what is not to know - the items are tagged "Made in China". They told us that they would go around and look. If they did or not, it does not matter. All of those booths continued to sell their imports for the rest of the day. Now, the kicker. The next year we sent an application to the show. We were not accepted. We went to see the show and what did we find - even more booths selling imports. If you complain, you are not wanted back. So it is better to keep your mouth shut if there is any chance that you might want to come back again next year. This has not just happened to us, but to others at other shows also!
The promoters get their money on the participation fees. Anyone's money is good to them. And calling it a craft show will bring in different and more people than calling it a flea market.
Why do people buy from these booths? They see something that they like and it does not matter who made it or where it came from - and besides it is a bargain.
If you are a shopping at a craft show and you see commercial items go up to the booth and tell the seller how talented she is and then ask how she make these lovely things. See what answer you get. If she (he) tries to bluff then point out the import tags. If it is admitted that they did not make any of it - ask why they are at a crafts show when they should be at a flea market. I am sure that they will say because no one stopped them.
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Craft Show Tip of the Week
Talking to your customers - yes or no? This is a question that can be debated for weeks, but it has been our experience that the answer is let your customers look without talking TOO MUCH to them. Smile always. Greet your customer with a friendly hello and then let them look. At most tell them that you are there to answer any questions - and perhaps introduce your work - "I make everything that you see!" Then shut up. Let them look. If you talk more they will WALK AWAY. People like to look and not feel that they are being pressured. Talking to your customers - whether you intend it or not, will be interpreted as pressure to buy. So keep smiling, be friendly and welcoming, but keep your mouth shut. Once they have picked out their purchase and begin the payment process, you can talk all you like.
Sunday, June 3, 2007
Craft Show Tip of the Week
When you do a craft show, it is best if you do not go alone. You need to take a friend, relative, anyone who will stay with you for the day. There is going to be a time during the day that you need the restroom, need to get lunch, need to take time to eat. Some who go alone ask the next booth to watch their booth while they are away - not really so good! Not only are their eyes not always on your things, but if you get customers, they are not going to leave their customers to come and help yours, take money, etc. And if you tell them to just say that you will be back and to wait - forget it. No one is really going to wait for you to return - and rarely do you get people coming back later. Once they walk away, most sales are lost.
So my advice this week - don't go it alone!
So my advice this week - don't go it alone!
Sunday, May 20, 2007
Craft Show Tip of the Week
At a craft show do not haggle with a customer over a price and do not accept an offer of a lower price than what you have decided for your work. Many customers at craft shows do not recognize the difference between a flea market with commercially made and imported items and a craft show with handmade craft. The buyer thinks that haggling is part of the "game", as it may be at a flea market or an antique mart. There is little understanding of what has gone into your creation of your craft - the time, the materials, and your talent. By playing this game of haggling and lowering your price you are devaluing your work - and your worth. Don't do it. Have confidence that your work will sell at the prices that you have set. Understand that if a piece does not sell today, it will sell at the next craft show - or the show after that. If you believe that your prices are "too high" then you need to reevaluate all of your prices and determine if you have set them correctly and fairly.
We have often been offered lower prices and we do not give in! I have seen many craft "vendors" give in - and have little respect for them. Be confident in yourself!
We have often been offered lower prices and we do not give in! I have seen many craft "vendors" give in - and have little respect for them. Be confident in yourself!
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