Craft Fairs are pretty much every creative person’s ultimate heaven. Apart from DIY Stores and plant nurseries maybe. And cooking shops. And art supply shops. And, and, and – but I digress.
Fact is – I love Craft Fairs. I also love Art Fairs. And Food Fairs. And Vintage Fairs. Anything that gives me an excuse for a day out with lots of creative visual and sensual input, really.
Kirstie Allsopp’s Handmade Fair is the first of its kind, uniting many different crafts under one (tent) roof. Many crafters have lots of different crafting interests, for me – apart from the obvious knitting and crochet – it’s cooking and home decoration, gardening and a little bit of sewing/needlework. Whether you’re into painting, upcycling, dressmaking or ceramics – you’ll find something worth going for.
I spent the whole Saturday wandering around the many tents browsing, attending workshops and chatting to other crafters, a mix which made me forget I had gotten up at 5am that morning to fly from Germany to London in order to join the fun.
Below are just a few pictures of workshops, people and my favourite findings at the market tents that I’d like to share with you.
If you’ve been there, feel free to link to your pictures and tell me about your favourite things in the comments!
Upon arriving, I made a beeline for the Rowan Yarns / Coats Craft Library Tent. The tent was beautifully decorated, and there was always one or more designer there happy to chat and sign books (which could also be purchased in the tent). Poor Suzie Johnson had lost her voice, but brought a gang of the most adorable knitted creatures with her. I got her book ‘Janet Smith Can’t Knit‘ and simply love it. Rowan designers Sarah Hatton, Kaffe Fassett, Martin Storey and newly independent former Rowan head designer Marie Wallin were all there to sign their latest publications.
From there, my next stop was the Coats Crafts workshop tent, where they offered a selection of workshops led by various designers. I sat in at Stuart Hillard‘s No-Sew-Cushion, Jane Crowfoot‘s Crochet Class, took a crossstitching class with Mr X Stitch and tried beaded knitting for the first time. Needless to say I had a blast. All tutors were wonderful and despite the large number of paricipants (all workshops were sold out) happy to answer questions and help where help was needed.
Between workshops and catchups and book signings there was enough time to stroll through the numerous market tents. My favourite discoveries were Red Hen Originals, (potato prints of chickens and other animals ), Lauren’s Cows (paintings of cows) and the adorable stitched sheep at Pippicraft. But see for yourself.
I’m hoping this great event will become an annual thing, I for my part would definitely go again. Coming up in October is the Knitting & Stitching Show at Alexandra Palace, make sure to check back here for pictures after Wool Week 2014!
IamSnowfox 