American Craft Fairs

I just returned tonight from exhibiting at a classic, old American Craft Fair in Deerfield, MA.  It was a beautiful summer weekend, loaded with plenty of Pioneer Valley birkenstocks & good old folk music.  For the most part it was a nice vibe.  But something, other than the large crowds of the past, was missing.  The demographics of the American Craft world have changed.  I exhibited at Deerfield and at other similar shows over 25 years ago and have just recently returned to this world. 

Although I could be mistaken, it seems  that the people coming out to this market are now a much older group of folks.  I saw very few young adults and families and only a handful of teenagers.  I just hope that the interest in and the value of handmade American Crafts is not eluding our young people today.