to vow never to go to a Craft Fair again?

[grovel]

I went to one this morning. Crammed, as they always are, with twee crap that no-one could possibly need.

My fault for going, I know. But never again.

They are expensive though, most of the time, and you can get similar stuff online or on the High Street for half price.
Having said that I bought a lovely handbag a couple of months ago.

Krecher - the sold sign may have been a fake, put there by the stall holder to trick people who panic buy crap things into thinking that £85 is a perfectly reasonable price to pay for a wooden owl and that they need to get one before he sells out.

I'm back from one too, but was selling :) no quilting, jewellery or wood turning from me though! there was a bloke on the stage doing willow weaving, which was quite interesting apart from the occasional really loud BANG noises as he hit things. My head hurts after 6 hours of that!

sorry! Someone mentioned cupcake stalls at these things and I saw red...

Wasn't Kirstie there in a flowery dress and anorak?

She seems to be going to them all.

OK, bumpybecky, tell us more (and did you make any money?).

Mumbling - we call any items like your neck-leg-warmer a Thneed, such as were made in the Dr Seuss story The Lorax.

Unidentifiable items of clothing that you aren't sure what to call, which part of the body to wear them on or even which way up they are. Thneeds. My Aunt is especially fond of sending Thneeds to people for Christmas.

Ooooooo I love 'em and have done loads in my time but ebay and etsy have killed the craft fair imo!

yes, I took about £90 which is ok, but it was quiet and I kept almost falling asleep! my things range from 50p to £2.50 so £90 is quite a lot of things sold :)

My things aren't as crafty as some, lots of it is just repackaging things! it does look nice though :)

I make a good living out of Crap Craft Fairs

But our stuff is gooorgeous, unusual, often underpriced and marvellous. I also try not to attack engage potential customers too much. It's such a fine line; trying to be available and helpful without being pushy or needy.

It's not easy. And you get the visitors that take extreme pleasure in chatting incredibly loudly to each other in front of your stand how repulsive/overpriced/useless-for-villa-in-France your stuff is.

And you wouldn't believe how much some organisers can you for the stand space. It can be about £500 per metre!

Bumpy and Pickled, I note you won't tell what you sell.

Craft Fair = Landfill tent

Just out of interest what would you expect to find at a craft fair?

NearlyMrsC I understand the cupcake rant. What is the obsession these days with these over-priced, over-decorated bits of sponge cake? They seem to be everywhere. Give me a nice scone any day.

My MIL loves craft fairs. Whenever we go to visit she always arranges to go to one as a 'treat' for us all. I bloody hate them.

It would out me, we have the patent. Sell online too but shows are good for cash and marketing. Sellers also usually give each other pretty decent discounts!

don't want to get told off for advertising! will risk it....

magnetic pegs - packs of 4 pegs with magnets on back decorated with ribbon, some with a button on each peg (look v cute!)

magnetic post it notes - coaster covered in patterned paper with pad of post it notes on, magnetic strip on the back

felt hairclips - felt flowers on hairclips

flannel reindeer - flannel and bar of soap that look like a reindeer (think googly eyes, red pompom nose and bells on antlers!)

cupcake socks - fluffy socks rolled to look like cupcake in posh case with lollipop, wrapped in cellophane with ribbon

flannel cupcake - like socks but with flannel and mini soap

pint of socks - pint glass with pair of mens black socks and white flannel - looks like point of guiness, all wrapped in cello with ribbon

washing up kebabs - kebab squewers (sp?) with different washing up scourers on (sounds really silly, but look fun!)

hot chocolate cones - hot choc powder, marshmallows, choc buttons all gfit wrapped in cello cone with poem and ribbon

reindeer poo - repackaged chocolate raisins

dog biscuits - in gift packaging

think I've forgotten something, but not sure what!

Well, bumpy, I can see that reindeer poo is an essential.

I didn't say I sold sensible things.......

I normally sell at school fairs. Reindeer poo is my top seller!

LOL @ the pint of socks. I like that idea.

Hi bumpy - we could've done with you today at ds's school fair!

This thread is going wrong.

The Crafties are starting a love-in.

Get your own thread, ladies.

Last time I went to one I got a small, knitted mouse to hang on my car mirror and a knitted thing to keep my mobile phone in. Totally twee, totally great

Et tu, hiddenhome?

Rofl at all the craft fair hatred.

I'm with the poster who feels angsty about raising the hopes of desperate stallholders by stopping and looking at their stuff. You feel the focused beam of their need for validation (and money) if you unwisely let your eye fall on a piece of labour-intensive tat. Best to march through quickly with your eyes facing forwards.

You'd like my mum's stained glass and preserves. She just does windows in the glass now though - people expect to pay peanuts like they do for all the imported crap.