Rant: The craft fair in Asheville last weekend had almost no forged work.

I walked through the whole thing, about 150 booths, and only counted 3 people selling actual forged metal. Everything else was laser cut steel signs or cheap imported stuff. One guy was selling bottle openers he clearly made on a forge, and we talked for 20 minutes. He said he's the only full time smith in his county now. It just feels like the hand made part is getting lost in all the mass produced stuff dressed up as craft. Has anyone else seen this shift at their local markets?

2 comments

2 Comments

murray.troy18d ago

Noticed the same thing at our county fair last fall. The "handmade" tent was mostly people reselling bulk soap and printed t shirts. Found one woman carving wooden spoons, said she can't compete with the imported prices on the same row.

dylanbell17d ago

Murray.troy, that's a real problem. Our local market started checking vendor social media for work in progress photos. If you're just reselling, you can't show your process. It helped the actual woodworker and potter get better spots. The spoon carver should ask the fair organizers for a separate section for real craft work.