The craft vendors’ perspective

From the outside looking in, one may wonder what possesses arts and crafts vendors to do what they do. Here’s a clue – it’s not always about the money.

The sun is beating down, the “feel-like” temperature is 100 degrees and the artist has been sitting at a table, hoping to make a few bucks on a crafty item they spent several hours creating.

Some days are great, and the money made was well worth the time spent. Other days are filled with frustration and empty pockets. Then there’s the vendor fee that has to be paid, whether money was made or not.

Many perceived “vendors” aren’t really vendors at all; they’re spouses, family members and friends, who are accompanying the crafter to help them out.

“What motivates me to come back as a vendor is just to get out there within the community. To meet new people and get our name out there to those who wouldn’t know us otherwise,” said Kara Hastings with Hearth of Hastings. “You never know where it will go from there. You could have future customers or future friends.”

Brian Darcy with Double K Farm offers CBD products at local arts and crafts shows.

“We love sharing what we do and telling people about our products,” he said. “When people hear our story and what we’re about and why we do this, even if we don’t make a sale, we potentially make a client for a later date.”

Many vendors enjoy just being out and meeting people as well as seeing friends. It’s a social event and not strictly a money-making opportunity. The fact that they do have monetary gains while getting to socialize is what makes “off days” easier to accept.

Craft vendors don’t always have it easy. It takes time and energy to set up a booth, there are fees involved and then there’s the weather to consider.

Imagine a product that should not get wet. When it begins to rain, vendors must hurry to pack up their crafts in order to preserve what they’ve spent so much time creating.

The wind is another factor to consider as a vendor. Tents have been damaged or destroyed all together. Arts and craft items don’t just stay in place, and chaos will erupt as vendors run around in an attempt to catch and repack their treasures.

Several vendors say most folks don’t really understand all that goes into making that “something special” that the purchaser will enjoy. It can be hard to hear someone say they can make the item themselves or that it’s too expensive.

Many crafters are never paid for the time they spend on making an item, but rather just the supplies needed to do it. Travel is often done in an effort to locate the needed items used in the making of the product.

When all is said and done, craft vendors say they enjoy what they do and like getting together with others. They take their chances hoping that the weather’s good and that they will make a dollar or two.

Another goal of many vendors is to make those special items that a buyer will fall in love with. That “one-of-a-kind” gift that makes the crafter, buyer and recipient happy.

“Crafting is a family tradition,” vendor Vickie Rivenbark said. Her twin sister, Anita Tison, added, “One of the reasons I like doing our crafts is because no one does these types of things anymore; it’s a lost art.”

They make tree ornaments and handcrafted baby items – such as stuffed animals, bibs and headbands – as well as numerous other items.

“I enjoy talking to people and educating them on embroidery,” Glynda Kendall of Memaw’s Menagerie said. “I do it all by hand. I once had a day where I only made $8, but I still enjoyed it. This is my hobby.”

Artist and crafter Mimi Hitselberger enjoys spending time with longtime friend Marcia Landau. The two talk, laugh and “catch up” on things, all while sitting at a table selling their wares.

Arts and craft shows are time consuming and enjoyable, as well as potentially lucrative. Vendors work hard and spend many hours perfecting items that others enjoy. It’s both fun and crazy at times, but many say they wouldn’t have it any other way.