Where has all originality gone?

I just came home from the area fall craft show at our local high school. There were about 70 crafters set up and as I walked around perusing the tables a few random thoughts jumped into my head.....and here they are:

1. Where has all the originality gone? It seems the formula to the crafts at craft shows anymore is this: buy fabric snowmen from the dollar store or local craft store, glue to a wooden painted base beside a small artificial tree with lights and splatter the whole thing with white paint to make snow! There had to be about 15 tables with these kind of items. It's the same tired old stuff!

2. No Christmas ornaments were to be found other than the crudely painted Steelers and Browns ornaments! What happened to ornaments at craft shows???? And I'm not talking about the $45 a piece ornaments, I'm talking about the $5 to $10 ornaments that really showcase a little detail and imagination. You know, the ones you really want hanging on your tree or to give away as a gift.

So my craft show trip was a bust this morning but as I was driving home I was thinking, "thank God for the online network of artist and crafters I have discovered because they have imagination, originality and creativity"! Reading some of their blogs and seeing their work is just like a tall glass of ice cold water to a very thirsty woman! In closing, I'd just like to post a heartfelt "thank you" to all of my talented cyber friends who leave comments on my blog and feel that it's my privilege to visit their blogs as well!