By DAVID MACGREGOR
Tough economic times may have tightened consumer purse strings but that does not mean there isn’t still a buck to be made trading at the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown.
Although traders yesterday said less money was being spent this year, those selling genuine, handcrafted items said they were doing better than those trying to unload cheap imports.
Bathurst milliner Mark Watermeyer, who makes custom hats, handspun scarves and felt slippers, said although other traders had been quiet, he was fast running out of stock.
“I came with more than 200 hats and I have around 60 left,” he said yesterday.
Ranging in price from R250 for a children’s hat to more than R1500 for custom orders, Watermeyer and partner Iona Blair’s work appeals to consumers because there is a story behind every item.
“Lots of people are tired of cheap, mass- produced Chinese imports. They want stuff that is good quality and made by real people.
“They want stuff with spirit, stuff with soul, not something that is machine made.”
Across town at Church Square, Luxolo Skade is not happy that sales of his mass- produced Chinese hats and beanies are not going as well as previously.
Ranging in price from R15 for a beanie to R80 for a faux felt hat, Skade may have sold 500 items but his return on each is not big.
Bought cheap and in bulk from a Port Elizabeth warehouse, Skade says he has experienced a steady downturn in sales over the years.
“People do not have money to spend anymore,” he complained.
Unlike Skade, who is competing for sales with several other stalls selling the same product, Watermeyer’s stall is selling something different.
Juggling his time between selling product and spinning wool on a traditional spinning wheel, Watermeyer says this year is his best ever.
His sentiments were echoed by other traders selling everything from custom-made confectionery, jewellery, leather products, clothing and art.
“It is slower than previous years but I am still doing ok,” leather bootmaker Dael Lithgow explained.
Festival CEO Tony Lankester yesterday said it was always known that the sluggish economy was going to “impact somewhere at the festival”.
He said it was logical that events that relied on people who had disposable income would be impacted.
“In that context, though, the arts are proving extremely resilient to the economy of the country.”
Lankester said ticket sales for shows were similar to the past two years.
About 80%, or 600 performances, had sold out so far, and many crafters had said they were “very happy” with sales so far.
“So my instinct is that while South Africans are looking for good deals and bargains, they will still seek out and support crafters.” — davidm@dispatch.co.za
Crafters’ wares still a NAF hit despite tighter purse strings
Tough economic times may have tightened consumer purse strings but that does not mean there isn’t still a buck to be made trading at the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown.
Although traders yesterday said less money was being spent this year, those selling genuine, handcrafted items said they were doing better than those trying to unload cheap imports.
Bathurst milliner Mark Watermeyer, who makes custom hats, handspun scarves and felt slippers, said although other traders had been quiet, he was fast running out of stock.
“I came with more than 200 hats and I have around 60 left,” he said yesterday.
Ranging in price from R250 for a children’s hat to more than R1500 for custom orders, Watermeyer and partner Iona Blair’s work appeals to consumers because there is a story behind every item.
“Lots of people are tired of cheap, mass- produced Chinese imports. They want stuff that is good quality and made by real people.
“They want stuff with spirit, stuff with soul, not something that is machine made.”
Across town at Church Square, Luxolo Skade is not happy that sales of his mass- produced Chinese hats and beanies are not going as well as previously.
Ranging in price from R15 for a beanie to R80 for a faux felt hat, Skade may have sold 500 items but his return on each is not big.
Bought cheap and in bulk from a Port Elizabeth warehouse, Skade says he has experienced a steady downturn in sales over the years.
“People do not have money to spend anymore,” he complained.
Unlike Skade, who is competing for sales with several other stalls selling the same product, Watermeyer’s stall is selling something different.
Juggling his time between selling product and spinning wool on a traditional spinning wheel, Watermeyer says this year is his best ever.
His sentiments were echoed by other traders selling everything from custom-made confectionery, jewellery, leather products, clothing and art.
“It is slower than previous years but I am still doing ok,” leather bootmaker Dael Lithgow explained.
Festival CEO Tony Lankester yesterday said it was always known that the sluggish economy was going to “impact somewhere at the festival”.
He said it was logical that events that relied on people who had disposable income would be impacted.
“In that context, though, the arts are proving extremely resilient to the economy of the country.”
Lankester said ticket sales for shows were similar to the past two years.
About 80%, or 600 performances, had sold out so far, and many crafters had said they were “very happy” with sales so far.
“So my instinct is that while South Africans are looking for good deals and bargains, they will still seek out and support crafters.” — davidm@dispatch.co.za
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos