Perhaps of the main reason why people buy things in craft shows is because they are tourists in the area, and they want to have a physical object that will make them remember the place they went to once they're back home. As such, it is a good idea for any craftsperson to check his or her location, and let himself or herself be influenced by the culture of the place. If you attend craft shows and you grew up in the area, this wouldn't be too much of a problem. But what if you are a visitor here, too?
People who don't hail from the area where the craft show is held will definitely have a problem trying to get an affinity with the culture of the place. This is a surmountable problem, though, for the affinity can be developed over time. Buy and study the works of your fellow craftspeople attending the event, and try to make friends with them while you're at it. Having a good and friendly relationship with some of them will rub off on you, and you ay start to understand their cultural influences over time.
Simply mingling with the people won't do the trick, of course. Expeand your understanding of the culture further by spending some time in it. Don't barricade yourself in the craft show for the duration of your stay, and instead explore the place in its entirety. Have a short break, and look around for interesting things that you can do there. You'll be surprised at how quickly you'll discover a thing or two.
When everything has been said and done, you'll have to go "back to the lab" and try to integrate their culture with your own unique signature. Don't try to lose your identity in the process! Let your techniques be influenced, but don't try to outright copy the feel of the crafts that came from that culture.
In the end, it is important that you don't force anything. Don't be too alarmed if your piece ends up without the feel that you wanted it to have for that culture; if you bash the culture in, you'll end up destroying both that and your personal touch. To me, the soul of an item is important, and you just can't have a soul of the object itself is forced.
People who don't hail from the area where the craft show is held will definitely have a problem trying to get an affinity with the culture of the place. This is a surmountable problem, though, for the affinity can be developed over time. Buy and study the works of your fellow craftspeople attending the event, and try to make friends with them while you're at it. Having a good and friendly relationship with some of them will rub off on you, and you ay start to understand their cultural influences over time.
Simply mingling with the people won't do the trick, of course. Expeand your understanding of the culture further by spending some time in it. Don't barricade yourself in the craft show for the duration of your stay, and instead explore the place in its entirety. Have a short break, and look around for interesting things that you can do there. You'll be surprised at how quickly you'll discover a thing or two.
When everything has been said and done, you'll have to go "back to the lab" and try to integrate their culture with your own unique signature. Don't try to lose your identity in the process! Let your techniques be influenced, but don't try to outright copy the feel of the crafts that came from that culture.
In the end, it is important that you don't force anything. Don't be too alarmed if your piece ends up without the feel that you wanted it to have for that culture; if you bash the culture in, you'll end up destroying both that and your personal touch. To me, the soul of an item is important, and you just can't have a soul of the object itself is forced.
About the Author:
You will never run out of opportunities to earn when you know the schedule of Craft Shows near you. Check out Craft Fairs regularly, and do well in your business like Rick Amorey!
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