[CArizona]

Are arts and crafts still big in Vermont? Just curious...Thanks.

[Vermonr]

Well sure, I think so. I know that compared to Rochester, NY Vermont has lots of arts and crafts, at least in my opinion. In my hometown there's usually a knitting club, lots of artist events, and language events like the French roundtable (I know it's not technically an art or craft, but it's on the same line). Probably your best bet would be to look in a local newspaper or go online to see what sort of clubs and events are available. Are you looking at a particular town?

[VermontLori]

HUGE in my neck of the woods.

[CArizona]

Thanks for your posts...My husband and I dreamed about moving to Vermont a few years back but life threw us a few "curve balls" and we had to put our plans on hold...Do many cities in Vermont still have craft stores or craft malls? Crafts stores are a "dying breed" out here in the west today...and shows don't always do that well...We were considering moving to the Northeast Kingdom in the past.

[68vette]

Craft stores are a dying breed here as well. There are the national chains like Michael's and Creative Habitat, formerly known as Ben Franklins that have taken much of the business from the small mom and pop shops. I'm sure areas where crafts are huge there are some other stores. The craft market is not as good as it was about a decade ago. We have friends who sell crafts and they look at more of a social gathering than a money making venture. There are a few good events where they are able to make money, but for the most part it is not a good way to make extra income. If this is your interest, feel free to PM me and I could put you in touch with them. We just talked about this subject two weeks ago.

[CArizona]

Originally Posted by 68vette

Craft stores are a dying breed here as well. There are the national chains like Michael's and Creative Habitat, formerly known as Ben Franklins that have taken much of the business from the small mom and pop shops. I'm sure areas where crafts are huge there are some other stores. The craft market is not as good as it was about a decade ago. We have friends who sell crafts and they look at more of a social gathering than a money making venture. There are a few good events where they are able to make money, but for the most part it is not a good way to make extra income. If this is your interest, feel free to PM me and I could put you in touch with them. We just talked about this subject two weeks ago.

Thanks for taking the time to write. I'm sorry to hear that craft sales have gone down in Vermont...Do people still "do" for themselves? Is it common for people to bake their own bread? Do many people grow and "can" their own vegetables...or make preserves etc? How about quilts and afghans and general sewing? Just curious...Thanks for your help. Happy 4th!

[arctichomesteader]

Originally Posted by CArizona

Thanks for taking the time to write. I'm sorry to hear that craft sales have gone down in Vermont...Do people still "do" for themselves? Is it common for people to bake their own bread? Do many people grow and "can" their own vegetables...or make preserves etc? How about quilts and afghans and general sewing? Just curious...Thanks for your help. Happy 4th!

Yes to the above, many do, but it will depend somewhat on location.

[CArizona]

Originally Posted by arctichomesteader

Yes to the above, many do, but it will depend somewhat on location.

Thanks for writing...I'd love to hear what life is like in the Northeast Kingdom in regard to crafts and doing homemade things etc...Thanks for much. If you don't really know about the area that's ok.

[Vermonr]

I don't live in the Northeast Kingdom, but just based on location I would guess that crafts are much more popular up there than they are here in southern VT. I think that the more rural you go in VT, the more people are interested in engaging in creative hobbies rather than manufactured fun. Not to stereotype, but the more rural areas have an older population and these people are usually more into weaving, quilting and such than their younger counterparts. Wasn't there a big quilt show up there recently, or I am thinking about something else? I know that a lot of the jams I buy are made up in the Kingdom. It definitely exists. As for me, I love baking my own bread and do so all the time!

[CArizona]

Originally Posted by Vermonr

I don't live in the Northeast Kingdom, but just based on location I would guess that crafts are much more popular up there than they are here in southern VT. I think that the more rural you go in VT, the more people are interested in engaging in creative hobbies rather than manufactured fun. Not to stereotype, but the more rural areas have an older population and these people are usually more into weaving, quilting and such than their younger counterparts. Wasn't there a big quilt show up there recently, or I am thinking about something else? I know that a lot of the jams I buy are made up in the Kingdom. It definitely exists. As for me, I love baking my own bread and do so all the time!

Thanks for writing....I like your term "manufactured fun." I have never heard it used before.....Did you invent this term yourself or is it a commonly used term in your area? Just curious....It's sad when young people or people of any age feel they have to buy every single thing at stores....I know that time is limited these days....Who has time to cook or make things themselves? But I think we short-change ourselves when we become so dependent on corporations and "store-bought products." We have skills and hidden talents inside of us that can "get lost" because we never challenge ourselves to "do more.".....How do you feel about it? Sorry to go on and on.....Thanks for listening. Great that you enjoy baking your own bread.