Interesting read

I just got sent the link to this article, and it makes a really interesting read to any crafters out there.  I have to admit to having got very disheartened at craft fairs recently.  My dream of selling at craft fairs was falling way short of what I'd always thought it would be.  I've always loved visiting craft fairs since I was a child and part of my dream when I started my business was to be one of those wonderful creative people I had met and bought from in the past.  And obviously I had imagined selling my items to public, like me.  Unfortunately, with the economic climate as it is, this isn't the reality nowadays.  Customers are understandably a lot more unwilling to to spend what money they have on impulse buys and unnecessary items.   They consider their purchases so much more carefully, and are so much more likely to buy online.  Standing on a stall for hours on end, this can feel like you're a failure and people don't like your items, but reading this article has really helped me rethink how I was feeling. I know at craft fairs I have met people who have helped me make contacts, find stockists and people who have later become online customers.  And at the end of the day, I should see this as a success, not a failure because the on-the-day figures don't look so good.  So, to any other crafters who are feeling like I was, have a read and see what you think.  http://ukhandmade.co.uk/content/business-different-approach-craft-fairs