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Artisan Anger: Cheap Imports Undermine Cornish Crafts
12 Dec
Summary
- Crafters report a rise in imported goods sold as local handmade items.
- Stallholders allegedly buy cheap online items and mark up prices significantly.
- Organisers are implementing vetting processes to ensure authenticity.
The crafting community in Cornwall is grappling with a concerning trend: the influx of cheap, mass-produced items being passed off as genuine handmade local crafts. Artisans report witnessing traders bulk-buying goods online and then selling them at significantly inflated prices at events marketed as Cornish craft fairs. This practice is not only misleading to consumers but also deeply demoralizing for those who dedicate themselves to creating original pieces.
Genuine makers express anger and frustration, noting that these unscrupulous sellers can attract customers with lower prices due to their bulk purchasing. The mark-up on these imported goods can be as high as five times their original cost. This situation is seen as devaluing the hard work and skill involved in true craftsmanship, making it difficult for authentic local producers to compete and thrive in their own communities.
