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Craft Trends Part Four - The Trend Watchers

Watch the Trend Watchers

As I said earlier, the trend watchers make a living predicting trends. They’re not always right but there’s a lot of research and thought behind their predictions. It’s up to you to decide what grain of truth to extract from each one and leaven it with your other barometric readings.

Many of the professional trend watchers do believe the cocooning age is coming to an end. With their nests emptying, baby boomers feel the urge to venture more from the nest. Some are downsizing and selling the big family home.

The first boomers born in 1946 are nearing retirement age. Some have already taken early retirement because of corporate downsizing. This will be a 20-year trend since the last boomers were born in 1964. Most retired boomers will have less disposable income.

Though some boomers may spend more money traveling, most of the boomer trend signs are not encouraging for business: less disposable income, smaller homes, less time spent at home. However think a little deeper and you can discern some positive trends for business people focusing on the boomer market.

Some boomers will be looking for ways to fill their retirement hours. Have you thought of giving classes or workshops?

If boomers will be more careful with their spending, perhaps you should consider downsizing your products and making them more practical than decorative. Many gallery owners and artists are already noticing more hesitation among customers considering big purchases. Rather than large $400 ceramic wall plaques, why not make ceramic plates connected to other trends (more on that later)?

Throughout their lifetimes, boomers have been the biggest market segment and have had huge economic impact. Economists likened the boomer segment to a pig moving through a snake’s belly. For almost 60 years, boomers have been catered to by the mass merchandisers. That may be coming to an end.

If so, the thing for a business person to do is follow the money. What market segment will have more disposable income in the coming years?

Answer: people who are still in the workforce. That means focusing your products on younger people. Another approach is to think of products that will be sought across several market segments.

Craft Trends

Craft Trends - Part One: Introduction
Trends come and go. Stay on top of the current trends to keep your craft business sales flourishing.

Barometer One: Your Personal Marketplace
Listen to your customers. They might be leading you to the latest trend.

Barometer Two: The General Marketplace
The general marketplace is where major trends are set. Follow the lead using new styles, colors and techniques in your craft business.

Trends to Watch
New trends that might help you create crafts that are in more demand.

Emerging Trends for Things Custom or Handmade
More than ever the handcrafted and unique are sought after.

Differentiate Your Work
Even if you follow the trends, you work has to stand out to be saleable.

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