Even though many items nowadays can be found online and delivered in hours from the web,
a local craft fair is a great place to get your steps in and find the local artist or talented crafters in your neighborhood.
I've been doing craft fairs as a vendor on and off for 46 years, from gingerbread houses to miniatures, jewelry making, and paper crafting.
There is a social aspect of craft fairs that I love. For the crafter, yes, we want to sell our things and make a profit, but I really enjoy meeting the people at the show. It's all very reminiscent of a small town. They are willing to help. I've seen people help others set up their tents. If you've forgotten something, they'll share. Or send a customer to their neighbor if they don't have what they need. They'll even watch your area while you hit the restroom.
As a consumer, I love seeing how many talented people there are in my area. I sometimes meet like-minded people whom I would have never met had I not ventured out to the show. I'm happy to spend my dollars at their tables instead of going online to purchase gifts or items I might want. I'm helping support a family by buying the item.
Yes, there are some things I don't need or want, but I like visiting with the crafter. The one thing I don't like as a shopper is a vendor who tries to sell things just to sell them. You know the one who, when you touch something at their table, it's a conversation about that item, how many colors it comes in, the sizes, and if you try to be nice and just acknowledge them, it's a big sales pitch. UGH. Cannot tolerate that I might wander away as quickly as possible. The crafter's table with a big crowd is nice to wander over because then you can really look at what the person has without being pounced on.
Of course, we don't want to approach the vendor who looks like this is their worst day ever, and they are unhappy to be there. So there has to be that happy medium. It takes a vendor who can read their viewer and know what approach to take with each. Does the person want to be engaged, or just let them browse? It's so difficult to read people anymore. I suggest just waiting for eye contact and saying a nice hello. Thanks for stopping by. I'm happy to answer any questions you may have; just let me know. Then leave them to it.
Almost every craft fair I attend has a fundraising component to it. Some of the proceeds go to a specific group, like an animal shelter, food bank, etc. Our monthly craft fair raises funds for local charities and non-profits. The people that show up there are really friendly and kind. But our attendance is low at the moment. I expect it will grow like the others; it's for a good cause. Each month a different organization benefits from the donations.
The nice thing is a representative from the organization usually stops by or shows up for a while, which is always nice to see. It sort of validates the fact that the funds are going where the show said it's going.
