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As we’re getting used to the message of shopping small, shopping local, and supporting designer makers, we’re getting pickier in our handmade market habits. And it’s detrimental.
When you tootle off to your choice of handmade event, you’re usually (quite rightly) expecting a range of well branded and presented stalls, chic bunting and a (delightfully hipsterish) eating area. This is where you find quirky screen-printed housewares, artisan breads, contemporary ceramics and silver smiths. It’s the Instagram worthy highlight of your weekend.
Consider then the often overlooked small craft events. Near you is a scout hut, community hall or church hall that probably holds a seasonal or monthly event of local crafters. You may think that it’s got too few stalls to be worth your time, some of them are selling ‘tat’, some of them are frilly things your nan would embarrass you with as a gift. But you’re missing a trick…
Small craft events are often the proving ground for designer makers who are starting their selling journey. This is where you can find the unusual items, snap up real bargains as people aren’t pricing for the higher-end audience, or get ahead of the crowd and buy a piece before someone hits their stride and is stocked in all of the local indie shops. There might be some tat, some franchise stalls, some odd knitted things, but alongside them are real gems. (And, who doesn’t want a dodgy knitted clown to terrify guests staying in the spare bedroom?)
You’re also ensuring a bright future for the larger handmade markets. Small local events are where ambitious stallholders refine their branding and presentation, gain experience and find out what works. It’s where they can make the money to get the better equipment to up the quality of their produce. Today’s stallholder at your local small craft event is going to qualify as a stallholder at tomorrow’s larger handmade market.
If the small handmade events vanish, the large events will gradually feel the impact. As the larger stallholders take the next step and become suppliers of stock rather than direct sellers, there will be fewer stallholders ready to step up with the experience and quality you expect. So take an hour out of your weekend, support the small local event as well as the large attractive market, and benefit your handmade experience now and in the future.
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