I can't see the point of making enough stock to sell at these shows if they were going to make a loss.
Most would most likely use the shows to give out their details for future orders from either the public or retail outlets.
They'd soon be in trouble if they were given orders from a nation wide retailer for 10,000 items when they could only make 100 a year in their sheds.

I'm not sure of the facts here, but here goes for one idea.....

I know from my involvement with our Lions Club that there are workshops in major towns around the UK where people who have wandered off the straight and narrow get help to become a decent member of society. This might involve cons who are coming out of prison. Some of that help involves teaching them skills which they can use to improve their lot.

Our Lions Club made use of a pool of people in Reading to stuff leaflets into little plastic tubes, those tubes being distributed to the elderly and infirm (known as "Message In A Bottle" - see http://www.bflc.org.uk/RecentEvents.asp).

I guess it is possible that at least some of the stuff that comes from these stalls is made by people who are being paid the regulatory 10p a time. If sold at a profit in these places perhaps that profit is ploughed back into the service to help others?

No idea really though.

Andrew

Hello Woodentop

I think most people who sell at craft shows must be retired and have woodwork, particularly turning as a hobby. Rather than fill the house with items, they sell them and get some of the costs back.
Some are very good - and I always look at the stands if I am at a craft show, but many of them seem to be the same; there must be a magazine or kits for people to buy  

MM