Local craft shows selling vendors'

mass-produced items among original work

PLATTSBURGH -- One the many crafts Tamara Thompson makes are mini punched rugs that involve 10 to 12 hours' work and sell for between $30 and $45 each.

"The fakes are $10," said the Peru woman, who will set up at maybe 10 shows this year. "I just take offense."

It's a growing problem at craft shows -- vendors come in with cheap, mass-produced items that they can be priced far lower than hand-produced products.

"They're buying in lots of 100 or 200," Thompson said. "They can sell it for little or nothing and still make a tremendous profit."

NOT A FLEA MARKET

Many shows have guidelines that forbid such merchandise, including those held spring and fall at Plattsburgh State Field House.

"We have tried to attack it, but we haven't had a lot of success," said Melanie Wyand, who with Scott Johnson organizes those shows. "We've sent letters the last couple of years explaining the problem, asking for compliance with our policies."

They have even approached vendors who seem to be selling mass-produced merchandise -- sometimes that works.

"Then we have had (vendors) who have really challenged us," Wyand continued. "Some say they have made (the items) or embellished them."

The definition of embellish is debatable, she said, but for Thompson, it's very clear.

"A true crafter makes 95 percent then adds a bow or maybe a rusty star," she said.

Sticking a ribbon on a manufactured piece shouldn't qualify, she said.

The Essex Masonic Lodge also struggles with the issue of hand-crafted versus machine.