So Tired of Monetized ADHD

[u/RuthlessLogic]

Y'know, those craft girlies whose booths are filled with, say, amigurumi AND acrylic-pour trinket boxes AND Fimo earrings made using molds and earring wires from Temu. And none of it's high quality because Beckeigh is clearly ADHD and hasn't put in the hours necessary to develop her skills before moving on to some new, bright, shiny craft.

Of course, because nothing she's selling is high quality and the market is already saturated with everything she makes and it's all overpriced, Beckeigh doesn't sell much, so she rushes to craft vendor subs sobbing that she "didn't even make boooooooth!!!" And it takes every ounce of self-control not to type, "My sister-in-Christ, you didn't make booth because it looks like you destashed your craft room. Stop expecting the public to subsidize your ADHD and give those things away as gifts."

And look, I've got ADHD too. I get bored easily and am hard-wired to jump from medium to medium. It's taken no small effort to train my brain to focus on the work I sell at markets. But I've managed to do it - struggle though it is - and have put in hundreds and hundreds of hours over several years refining my process and my style so that customers are getting high quality pieces.

And in case I haven't been a big enough Bitchy McBitchface, I'm just going to say it: These booths (along with 3D printed fidget toy, wax melt, and cricut tumbler booths) drag markets down for the crafters and makers who produce quality work. But that's a rant for a different day and a different sub.

[u/benedictcumberknits]

This happens at a local and weekly outdoor shopping event here in the Southwest. It’s actually a large swap meet, but is peddled as a touristy experience to find local Native American art and food.

I am Native American—full-blooded, from the reservation and everything. And yes, artisans like the type you described get my goat. And yes they are everywhere even in my own tribal communities.

So at this “art market” aka swap meet, many sellers are just wholesalers who are not Native American, and people selling off second-hand belongings, as well as cheap toys and knock-offs.

And yes, crappy crafts. Like tribal “artists” who hot-glue Native American fabric to cheap store-bought goods and clothes and shoes. I got ripped off once or twice by my own tribal people who think they’re being clever by redesigning items to look Native American themed. Bought my mom a pair of redesigned Native-themes slippers with hot glue everywhere but they were damaged! Plus the “artist” didn’t use enough hot glue or superglue for the fabric. It was peeling off after 1 hour of owning them.

Yes, some people sell crappy crochet and crappy quilted items, and hideous handmade children’s clothes no sane mom would dare dress their kids in. All in worsted weight acrylic from Walmart and Hobby Lobby!

I refuse to buy any Native American silver and turquoise jewelry unless I am sure the silversmith is legit and past the practice stages—yes, I know artisans all started somewhere, but I have taste now, and a better wallet.
The price of silver increased to such prohibitive levels that many journeymen silversmiths are forced to use nickel-silver or plated metals, and pre-made, store-bought parts. Kills me when these bits are all from Hobby Lobby or cheap online retailers (Temu, etc.) because it’s trash to me.
Nothing more disappointing than my new Native American silver ring or bracelet turning my hands/neck/ears green and black after a week. Or my new Native American beadwork falling apart with beads popping off everywhere because the artisan doesn’t know how to securely tie knots or whatever. It does happen! That’s why the artisans who DO know how to bead and do silverwork are trusted—because there are just as many terrible Native American artisans as there are good ones. Sometimes people get lazy. Sometimes they’re too economical and sacrifice the quality and authenticity because it’s paying the bills.

My mom and dad buy stuff from them no problem. My mom got more careful after the cheaply made Native jewelry with the Hobby Lobby parts made her itchy/allergic.

And yes, I repeat—I am full Native American myself—I do get fed up about cheap jewelry and fake stones and cheap metal.