by laura beth

When we came to Buena Park, I had hoped to sell my jewelry and crafts at the local farmer's market. That didn't work out, but I was able to secure a spot at the annual Christmas craft fair. I worked pretty hard to get ready for it, but after paying the $20 booth fee, giving away $15 worth of products for a raffle, selling $10 worth of products, and making a $3.75 purchase from the neighboring booth (her only sale of the day), I came out in the hole. It was a disappointment for the other vendors as well. There were so many talented craftspeople and artists there. Everything I saw was creative, of good quality, unique and affordably priced. Very few of them sold anything at all. There were thousands of people there, but none of them seemed to be spending money on anything but "fair food". I find it interesting that just down the street from the craft fair, the mall that I work in facilitates hordes of people that buy tons of cheap, imported, overpriced crap for Christmas gifts. I see it every time I work. Maybe someday people will change their spending habits and look to their local artisans and crafts people for inspiring, thoughtful and unique gifts. I can only dream...