The Crafts Report: Public Opinion

What Is the “Hottest Issue”
Currently for Crafts Professionals?

What’s your opinion?

Each month, The Crafts Report invites readers to respond to the Public Opinion question. Responses are published in the magazine.

The Crafts Report is seeking short commentaries (400-500 words) from craftspeople describing recent experiences or concerns that significantly impact their craft businesses.

Please respond by July 8. Responses to this question will appear in the August 2004 issue.

E-mail: publicopinion@craftsreport.com; or answer online here.

Send responses to: “Public Opinion,” The Crafts Report, Box 1992, Wilmington, DE 19899; fax: (302) 656-4894.

Anonymous responses will not be published.

The economy is, of course, the “issue” for most of us — many craftsmen are responding very well to a changed economy. This year at Baltimore the amount and variety of new work from established craftsmen was outstanding. New work and new venues seem to be the answer. Craftsman-owned galleries are opening all across the country.
Mary Miller and David Bruce
Eastville, Va.

The craft world is shrinking, since the 30- and 20-something buyers are not “into” crafts.
Anne Besse
Sudbury, Mass.

1. Are craft shows overrated? (yes, even the big ones).
2. Turning speculative buyers into commissions at shows (especially difficult with furniture since all decision makers usually need to be present and measurements need to be taken back home).
Jed Dinger
Kensington, Md.

I’d have to say that the economy is the hottest issue. Whether people will feel more comfortable this year spending money on decorative items is yet to be seen. My sales are on par with last year, which were okay, but I’m not sure if they will surpass it. I just hope that the election keeps the economy steady.
Joan Barton
Springfield, Mass.

The obvious answer would seem to be “The economy, stupid!” (and not just because this is an election year).
Keith R. Allen
Cedar Grove, N.C.

This is a good one. Right now the threat of imports taking over the crafts field is a mild threat to the industry, but we should find a way to make room for them. I have to think that there are enough consumers out there that all artists, no matter where they’re from, can get a piece of the action. The media needs to stop harping on the jobs that are going overseas. We still don’t have a clear sense of whether that makes a big difference or not.
So for me, that hottest issue really would be the economy. It seems to be coming back, but you never know for sure until you start to feel it in your wallet. Or in my case, when my customers start to feel it in their wallets.
Don Harlin
Tallahassee, Fla.

The fact that the field of buyers is getting smaller and smaller.
Allan Bishop
Seattle, Wash.

Supplies are not becoming any cheaper. No matter how hard I shop around to find cheaper supplies, I can’t get findings and other jewelry objects for a good price, unless I’m willing to sacrifice quality. Do other artists have this problem.
Sandy Chan
Ithaca, N.Y.