Jenn, NO. No. No this is not fine. This is the global Amazon-like homogenization of consumerism seeping into a place it shouldn't. THE FAIR. Any fair, should be about the local or state economy, grass root homemade hand crafted-had-to-work-three-days-straight-just-to-have-inventory.
Not, another mass produced, shipped in gadget that I don't need, and has NOTHING TO DO WITH either the "Fair" concept, OR the local community. THE FAIR or the Farmers markets by extension, should be about seeing the person who baked, carved, stitched, painted, molded, wrenched or welded the thing you are about to buy. It can have MEANING when you hang it on your wall, put it in your garden, use it in your kitchen, or wear it or eat it..."I met this person, the artist/baker/crafter/sewer, and not only supported them but I loved their work".
I was at the Ice Age conference, and saw a man making the most stunning wood and stone lamps, breath taking, locally sourced wood and rock that HAS MEANING. I was in Santa Fe a couple weeks ago, bought a fragile painting on ceramic that I wasn't sure was going to make it home (it did), because I MET THE ARTIST (He was from the Ukraine, BTW, which was even cooler) and his work was stunning, and he was making it as we stood there.
ARGH. This whole state fair thing pisses me off. Let's just call it. Let's just let someone have the naming rights and push this into hyper-commercialism. "The State Fair, brought to you by Proctor and Gamble". Another place for you to buy shit that will be in a dumpster within 6 months. We can even let an AI bot from India write all the Ad copy, so it barely makes sense. ("WORKS ON STUBBORN BAD SKUNK STAINS. MORE BETTER SAFETY FOR ENTIRE FAMILY AND CHILDREN")
Americans. - NO better yet, let's start saying US citizen's and leave Canada and Mexico out of it. We don't want meaning anymore, we want to consume.
Even though it is sticky, hot and humid out today I decided I needed to do the one thing that always heals my soul: I went for a run.
On my cool down walk back to my house I saw the notification for this comment, and I read it while I walked home. I had been feeling a little silly for being so shocked that the State Fair rejected me, but your comment makes me feel a LOT less silly. State Fair SHOULD be a celebration of our state, and that includes makers and artisans who create meaningful work. A year from now, is anyone going to remember that 8-pack of super-scrubby sponges they bought at the fair? Probably not. Are they going to remember that map of Wisconsin that sits on their shelf that they use to memorialize every trip to our state's amazing parks? Absolutely.
If my Mom was still with us, she'd say: "It's their loss." Right as always, Mom.
All that is to say: I appreciate these words. Like, a lot. Thank you. And thank you for "getting it." It gives me a whole lot of hope, and makes me think that perhaps I'm not going crazy. :)
They don't know what they are missing. Maybe they have a secret, no hand-crafted stuff bc it will do better than the flip-n-fold. I know your value. I share it with my friends. I think it is beautiful, significant and an honest way to make a living. Screw the fair on this decision. It's their loss and now you can come down to sell at the USAT triathlon Nationals August 7-10....they have a vendor fair there.
Sucks that they did that. Must mean something else is waiting for you at that time. It's disappointing when things don't work out the way we plan, but hey, maybe it'll be for the best too.
Jenn, It's so unfair and it's something lots of artisans are experiencing right now. I know it doesn't make it any easier, but your mother would have been right, "It's their loss".
I've been selling handcrafted (one-of-a-kind) earrings for quite a few years. Years ago, one of the most popular shows in this area accepted my application and I was very excited. I even booked a hotel to avoid the huge traffic jams driving to the show. Long story short, it was the worst show ever for me, due to the amount of imported stuff. It was so disappointing. You're not alone.
I agree with everything Marty said ... it should be about the local or state economy, hand crafted inventory. If it's any consolation, lots of us have been in your shoes.
Jenn, NO. No. No this is not fine. This is the global Amazon-like homogenization of consumerism seeping into a place it shouldn't. THE FAIR. Any fair, should be about the local or state economy, grass root homemade hand crafted-had-to-work-three-days-straight-just-to-have-inventory.
Not, another mass produced, shipped in gadget that I don't need, and has NOTHING TO DO WITH either the "Fair" concept, OR the local community. THE FAIR or the Farmers markets by extension, should be about seeing the person who baked, carved, stitched, painted, molded, wrenched or welded the thing you are about to buy. It can have MEANING when you hang it on your wall, put it in your garden, use it in your kitchen, or wear it or eat it..."I met this person, the artist/baker/crafter/sewer, and not only supported them but I loved their work".
I was at the Ice Age conference, and saw a man making the most stunning wood and stone lamps, breath taking, locally sourced wood and rock that HAS MEANING. I was in Santa Fe a couple weeks ago, bought a fragile painting on ceramic that I wasn't sure was going to make it home (it did), because I MET THE ARTIST (He was from the Ukraine, BTW, which was even cooler) and his work was stunning, and he was making it as we stood there.
ARGH. This whole state fair thing pisses me off. Let's just call it. Let's just let someone have the naming rights and push this into hyper-commercialism. "The State Fair, brought to you by Proctor and Gamble". Another place for you to buy shit that will be in a dumpster within 6 months. We can even let an AI bot from India write all the Ad copy, so it barely makes sense. ("WORKS ON STUBBORN BAD SKUNK STAINS. MORE BETTER SAFETY FOR ENTIRE FAMILY AND CHILDREN")
Americans. - NO better yet, let's start saying US citizen's and leave Canada and Mexico out of it. We don't want meaning anymore, we want to consume.
OK I feel better.. rant off (for now).
Oh and Hey Jenn, nice to see you back here again!
Even though it is sticky, hot and humid out today I decided I needed to do the one thing that always heals my soul: I went for a run.
On my cool down walk back to my house I saw the notification for this comment, and I read it while I walked home. I had been feeling a little silly for being so shocked that the State Fair rejected me, but your comment makes me feel a LOT less silly. State Fair SHOULD be a celebration of our state, and that includes makers and artisans who create meaningful work. A year from now, is anyone going to remember that 8-pack of super-scrubby sponges they bought at the fair? Probably not. Are they going to remember that map of Wisconsin that sits on their shelf that they use to memorialize every trip to our state's amazing parks? Absolutely.
If my Mom was still with us, she'd say: "It's their loss." Right as always, Mom.
All that is to say: I appreciate these words. Like, a lot. Thank you. And thank you for "getting it." It gives me a whole lot of hope, and makes me think that perhaps I'm not going crazy. :)
They don't know what they are missing. Maybe they have a secret, no hand-crafted stuff bc it will do better than the flip-n-fold. I know your value. I share it with my friends. I think it is beautiful, significant and an honest way to make a living. Screw the fair on this decision. It's their loss and now you can come down to sell at the USAT triathlon Nationals August 7-10....they have a vendor fair there.
Sucks that they did that. Must mean something else is waiting for you at that time. It's disappointing when things don't work out the way we plan, but hey, maybe it'll be for the best too.
Ack, rejection stings. Sorry you are dealing with it. I needed your words of positivity today. Thank you for sharing hard things.
Jenn, It's so unfair and it's something lots of artisans are experiencing right now. I know it doesn't make it any easier, but your mother would have been right, "It's their loss".
I've been selling handcrafted (one-of-a-kind) earrings for quite a few years. Years ago, one of the most popular shows in this area accepted my application and I was very excited. I even booked a hotel to avoid the huge traffic jams driving to the show. Long story short, it was the worst show ever for me, due to the amount of imported stuff. It was so disappointing. You're not alone.
I agree with everything Marty said ... it should be about the local or state economy, hand crafted inventory. If it's any consolation, lots of us have been in your shoes.
Your creative endeavors are very important!