Más información sobre Amata
Amata:
Over 25 Years Defending Craftsmanship
Amata was founded in 1998. For over 25 years, we have been organizing Artisan Craft Fairs, remaining true to our philosophy of only accepting our own handcrafted work.
Amata is able to do its work because artisans, visitors to our fairs, and sponsors love craftsmanship.
It's clear that artisans love their craft. It's their livelihood. But it's not a job out of necessity: they have chosen crafts because they love working with their hands, mastering their tools, perfecting their techniques, and applying their creativity to create increasingly original, decorative, and/or useful pieces. Although their work brings them great satisfaction, it's difficult to make a living from craftsmanship when they have to compete with cheaper factory-made or imported products.
The general public also enjoys crafts: they like to see an artisan at work, appreciate the skill, care, and patience that go into creating a single piece, and congratulate artisans on the quality and originality of their work. The public tells us that nowadays it's difficult to find genuine crafts in markets and appreciates that Amata only accepts authentic artisans who can only sell products they have made themselves.
Amata's sponsors are mostly local councils. They like to organize craft fairs where artisans can display and sell their work, and the public can learn about and buy it. But if they are unfamiliar with the world of artisans, it's difficult to choose the most suitable organizer.
On this website, we present everyone with information and photos of our fairs and give you a behind-the-scenes look at the world of crafts and artisans, with suggestions on how you can best support us in our work.
If we all—Amata, the artisans, the public, and the sponsors—get involved, each in our own way, we can ensure that crafts are not lost and that they can occupy a more dignified place in our society.
Why buy handcrafted items?
We've already explained that handcrafted items can only survive when artisans can earn a living from their craft. Buying handcrafted items directly from the artisan is a sure way to help them achieve this.
But buying Artisan-Designed® items has many more advantages:
- You have direct contact with the artisan who made the piece you want to buy; they can explain what materials and techniques they used and how best to care for and clean it.
- You're buying a quality product, made with great care, skill, and patience. It might be more expensive than imported goods at bazaars, but it lasts longer. In the long run, a cheap product that you have to replace often will end up costing you more.
- You're buying a unique piece, because the artisan makes each piece individually; no two are exactly alike.
- If you can't find what you're looking for, the artisan can make it for you according to your preferences or needs.
- An Artisan Craft Fair is a great place to find original gifts for any occasion: birthdays and anniversaries, weddings and communions, farewells, Christmas and Three Kings Day, or simply to pamper yourself.
What makes a good fair?
The three stakeholders in a craft fair (the City Council, the artisans, and the public) have different expectations.
* City Councils want to revitalize the municipality, attract more visitors to the old town, hold a special event, or offer an extra attraction during local festivals. Therefore, they are interested in the event attracting a large audience and providing a great show.
* Artisans are interested, out of necessity, in the fair selling well. If they cannot make a living selling their products, they cannot continue as artisans, and the craft will be lost.
* The public can be divided between those looking for fun and entertainment and those who want to see (and buy) quality handcrafted products.
To organize a fair that meets all these objectives, the following are essential:
1. A comprehensive advertising campaign
2. High-quality stalls and entertainment
3. Good organization
1. The advertising campaign
Advertising must be extensive, clear, and well-distributed. A large print run with good distribution is more important than a cutting-edge and expensive design.
Posters and brochures must communicate, at first glance, the what, where, and when of the event. Distribution takes place about ten days before the event in the town itself and the surrounding area. They must be placed in locations where many people will see them and linger for a while: tourist offices, notice boards, and the windows or doors of bakeries, butcher shops, craft stores, cultural centers, herbalists, pharmacies, etc. In tourist areas, they must be produced in several languages (at least Spanish and English).
It is also necessary to send press releases—preferably accompanied by appropriate photos and written in a way that allows for direct publication—to all local media outlets and publish them on social media.
2. Rigorous Selection of Participants
A successful fair or market requires an engaging program and a good presentation. But the event loses much of its appeal if it doesn't simultaneously offer a selection of high-quality stalls, demonstrations, and workshops. What the artisans offer must be high-quality, well-presented, and handmade by the person selling it.
The products shouldn't be too repetitive. Some materials can be repeated (ceramics, leather, wood, textiles), as long as the styles are different. It's advisable to encourage (even require) artisans to do (part of) their work at their stalls, showing the public how to work with different materials and contributing to a more vibrant and engaging fair.
3. Practical Organization
Equal attention should be paid to:
* Inviting artisans with high-quality products and good presentation, who are polite and attentive.
* Distributing the stalls, play area, attractions, and performances effectively to create an attractive overall experience and ensure the event runs smoothly.
* Verifying that the products for sale are handmade by the person selling them. * Prepare a map showing the location of the booths and other facilities so that each artisan can be directed to their assigned spot upon arrival.
* Provide sufficient and easily accessible electrical outlets and/or water connections.
* Prepare a schedule of workshops, demonstrations, and performances, clearly indicating the location of each activity, and ensure that the schedule is followed.
* Organize a dressing room for the performers.
* Always have representatives available to answer questions, resolve problems, and guide the smooth running of the event.