I was wondering what people think about sheffields craft markets and how they represent the artists and skilled crafts people in the city.

Really want people ideas so we can improve it for everyone and hopeful improve other resources for crafters and artists! :D

I'd like to see more of them, especially stitchy ones :hihi:

I know there are some genuine craft workers there but some of the stuff seems mass produced and not particularily original. I think the people there should have to sell locally produced stuff like the farm markets. I'd love to see Artists markets as a regular thing like they have in Amsterdam.

Personally i find the title 'craft market' seriously misleading, particularly when referring to the ones run by the council.

I had a stall at the beach market which i shared with 2 other artists but we found it impossible to compete with cheap imports (not to mention the stalls that are selling non-craft items). When I asked a Council representative about the amount of imports i was told that because some of the components were put together by the stallholders the Council accept that as 'handmade'. I don't think this is fair to artists who make their living out of selling their work, or to people who make things as a hobby, as it undermines the talent needed to design and make something from scratch.

So many questions remain unanswered! Such as:
what is the selection criteria (if any!) that the council use to decide who gets a stall?
why are there not more events like 'art in the gardens'?
why can't some people tell the difference between mass-produced and individually hand-crafted?
why do some people prefer to pay £20 in Accessorize for something that's 1 of thousands, rather than £20 for a unique art/craftwork direct from the maker?

I went to a craft market in York and not one item was made locally and very little in this country. It may fill the stalls but it brings down the quality of such fairs. You can get the same stuff in the ordinary shops. I've been to some good ones in Nottinghamshire. I think they should be more discerning as more original crafts would get more interest and people would come from further to see it.

Nottingham does seem much to promote arts and craft much better than Sheffield. A few people i've spoken to have said they have better art/craft markets.

When I lived in Dumfries and Galloway there was a craft guild and members apart from issuing a leaflet with all the members names and addresses they ran the craft fairs. Members had to reach a certain standard to join. Maybe something like that should be done here.

I was involved with a group that tried to set up regular craft market and artist/makers network but the council didn't like it and a lack of support from artists made it pretty much impossible for us to continue. We even got a complaint from the council saying that our leaflets were to professional and that we needed to be investigated! Bonkers

I dont like them. Not a lot of genuine stalls in my experience, but I may have been to the wrong ones.

The best one I've been to is at Thorseby. If only Sheffield officials could see it. It is a real craft fair and there are many craft workers and artists from Sheffield there.

When I lived in Dumfries and Galloway there was a craft guild and members apart from issuing a leaflet with all the members names and addresses they ran the craft fairs. Members had to reach a certain standard to join. Maybe something like that should be done here.

Maybe the council run craft markets aren't the only problem, maybe there does need to be an organisation made up of artist/makers that improves sheffield arts and crafts.

Do you think that people would be interested in joining? :confused:

I'm sure the craft/artists of Sheffield would love to join, and see such a market.

But the problem has already been mentioned. Even if there is a criteria to join and the crafts on display are wonderful and Sheffield-made, the thinking of many non-crafting people is... I can get it something like it cheaper at such-a-place.

It doesn't matter if this such-a-place imports their products, or part of it to be made up here, people want something exceptional at a fraction of the cost it takes to make them from scratch on home soil! Not thinking that these products could be the work of many hours sat over a work bench, sewing machine or coffee table in the living room of someones home.

Also, trying to do something good for the city and getting it passed this council seems to be a no-no unless they can get a cut from it, or look as though they're the ones who thought up the wonderful idea!

So, myself, I make hand-stitched quilts... and I mean hand-stitched... they never see a sewing machine. These can sometimes take weeks/months to make and can be expensive because of the cost of fabrics and the time taken. Althought I would love to have a stall to sell my work, I have to stay with the comissions I have, which will take me into the next year.

Great idea and would like it to become a reality. I wish you all the best.

I would imagine most councillors haven't even thought about craft standards. And the craft fairs in Nottinghamshire are so busy that there are severe traffic problems when they are on so there is obviously a market. There is a lot of talk about upgrading the shopping experience in the city centre so maybe we need to talk to our indivual councillors, MPs etc.. and ask them to look at the Nottinghamshire ones to see what we mean. There is already the Art sales. So the council is obviously not totally against such things plus the Ruskin collection in the Millenium Gallery is all about encouraging local crafts.

duckweed,

You've stirred my interest for Thorseby as I've never got to go as yet. Is it far from where they have the boot sale, and how often is it open?

I'll have to get Hubby to drive out and dump me there and then he can go and peruse the repetativeness of the boot sale on his own!

where is it? I think I'd like to have a nosey too :D

The biggest fair is in the Autumn. Should be soon. It's near the buildings as they have resident craft workers there too. It's usually advertised in the papers especially the AdMag but I expect if you google it you will get it. There's regular events at Bolsover Castle too.

Just googled and it is down as 20 and 21st October, and yes they do the carboot sale too which makes it difficult traffic wise but its worth the trip. The grounds are lovely in the Autumn. I used to live in Nottinghamshire and used to go there quite a lot as it was a nice day out.

I'm sure the craft/artists of Sheffield would love to join, and see such a market.............................Great idea and would like it to become a reality. I wish you all the best.

Thanks for the support. Am also amazed at your patience!
Your right about the council but am hoping theres away round it! Just not sure what it is yet :help:

Isn't there a development officer who is supposed to be in charge of improving the city? My dream would be a regular craft and art market in the square back of the library.

What do you prefer big art/craft markets with loads to see and maybe people demonstrating there skills about four times a year or really regular markets with only about four stalls?

I have never been to one in Sheffield. All the publicity for the ones that do exist have passed me by. The nearest one Ive been to has been Bakewell.

If I went to one, I would like to see locally made items etc made by the stall holders BUT I would also like to be able to buy supplies (in my case yarn) from them at reasonable prices. Is that unrealistic?

I'd like a big one a cpl times a year with demo's for sure. It'd be like a day out - I'm planning a meet-up with the ladies on the Crafty Natter forum at the Harrogate Show in November, but it would be fab to have one closer to home :thumbsup:

I'd like a big one a cpl times a year with demo's for sure. It'd be like a day out - I'm planning a meet-up with the ladies on the Crafty Natter forum at the Harrogate Show in November, but it would be fab to have one closer to home :thumbsup:

Will see what we can do :D

What do you prefer big art/craft markets with loads to see and maybe people demonstrating there skills about four times a year or really regular markets with only
about four stalls?

Can we have both!;)

I would like to see maybe one or two big art and craft markets with demonstrations and stalls. The problem with this sort of market is, I don't think Fargate would be the ideal location. Paper crafts would be a definite no-no if the wind got up, and many crafts would be ruined if it rained. It needs to be indoors with easy access.

I have been to a "Mind, Body & Spirit" fair at the Sheffield United grounds and it was great, and well set out. There was plenty of room and light to work by for demonstrations and somewhere to sit and have a drink if you're starting to wilt.

Hireing one of the City Centre Churches could be a possibility, but some people wouldn't even think of going into a church and will need to be well sign-posted, and I think the City Hall may be too expensive for anyone wanting to have a stall and make some profit from their craft.

Apart from the Stadium or Arena that can cater for such events, I'm not sure about locations that are actually in the City Centre, but I'm still willing to help.

Just yell!!

Damkina

Thanks guys for this thread. I tried to sell my handmade jewellery using gemstones, at one of sheffields markets.I had a stall for one day, . I decided not to continue, I felt my prices were not for that type of market. I have looked at the local crafts markets and yep noticed too many cheap imports. and yes customers are willing to pay for a similar piece on the high street, and not one made locally. How come though, the americans seem to be doing well with their handmade stuff? Do we need to raise our profile a bit more or ...Perhaps we don't seem to know how to market the benefits of buying local handmade crafts.
I am now trying to sell online and doing a few house parties....but business is a little slow. I am curious about the thorseby market and wherever else i can get some business. I would be interested in a group thats committed to making business from handproduced local products work, and there's evidence to prove local make is best..what with all the global warming as imports have to be transported meaning there's even more emission of gases...if we have a case we should get some support. I am thinking doing themed indoor socials but with locally made crafts being sold at the events atleast 6-8 in a year... Maybe doing an arabian nights/social event etc etc but having locally made stuff... I am willing to get the ball rolling...
anyone interested in this...

Would anyone be interested in coming to and artist and crafters networking get together? Maybe get some people from galleries and shops along and discuss how to improve arts and crafts in the area.

Although I can't get such a stall together with my quilting, I am willing to come along to discuss and help if possible. Do you have a date in mind?

*Unable to attend anything during the two weeks following the 9th November if the get together is planned for this time.*

I have a small cross stitch design business and would love to make a few local contacts.