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Page 1 of 2 Whether you’re looking for the latest materials for your chosen craft or a gift with a difference, head for a craft fair. Ellie Pratt finds ten that are well worth a browse.
1. The Country Living Magazine Spring ShowThe Business Design Centre, Islington, London N1
www.countrylivingfair.com
Timeless and elegant decorating is celebrated at the Country Living Magazine Spring Fair where you’ll find all you need, and more, to furnish your home in authentic country style. Everything from traditional furniture to the best new country designs, plus hand-crafted wood, antique glass and enamelware, contemporary ceramics, quilts and linens are on show – it’s every countryphile’s dream. The magazine also plays host to two other annual events – a Christmas fair, again at the Islington venue, and a fair, launched n 2004, at the SECC in Glasgow. 2. Creative Stitches and Hobbycrafts CountrywideTel: 01425 272711 www.ichf.co.uk
If you need supplies to feed your hobbies and satisfy your creative passions, or you simply want to know more about ‘hobbycrafts’, this is the one annual event you should attend. It travels to four UK cities during the year – Exeter, Cardiff, Brighton and Glasgow – where you can not only buy anything you need, brush up your existing skills or learn a new craft altogether – there is also the opportunity to roll up your sleeves and sample a craft at one of many mini-workshops led by expert tutors.
3. Origin: The London Craft Fair Somerset House, Strand, London WC2R 1LA
www.craftscouncil.org.uk/origin/index.htm
The Chelsea Crafts Fair has grown too big for its Chelsea Town Hall boots, but rather than banish this annual London institution, the Crafts Council has joined forces with the Somerset House Trust to organise this bigger and better, just-as-stylish, new event. It may not be in London’s most glamorous borough, but by moving to a specially commissioned pavilion built in the Somerset House courtyard, for a whole two weeks in October, 300 national and international designer-makers will have room to polish their wares for us to enjoy. 4. The Contemporary Crafts FairMill Marsh Park, Bovey Tracey, Devon TQ13 9AF Tel: 01626 830 612
www.craftsatboveytracey.co.uk
 Another prestigious event and Crafts Council affair is held here each June. Over 160 exceptional crafts people and their work are represented – expect ceramics by Sasha Wardell, John Nuttgens and Virginia Graham, metal by Matthew Tomalin, silver by Brett Payne, jewellery by Abbot & Ellwood (right), Lesley Strickland, Tanja Ufer and Miranda Sharpe, textiles by Linda Miller, wood by Nick Barberton, glass by Potter Morgan, plus more. There’s probably a selection of West Country cream teas to boot, if shopping makes you peckish. 5. The Art, Craft and Design ShowThe Millenium Grandstand, Newmarket, Suffolk Tel: 01223 895895
www.artcraftdesignshow.co.uk
This annual November event comes just in time to help you generate some Christmas present ideas. It focuses on the more unusual, original and desirable traditionally-made craftwork from 150 of the country’s outstanding artists, craftsmen and designers – a class above lavender bags and embroidered hankies! You’re sure to pick up inspiring and unusual presents – you could even commission your own masterpiece. 6. Mid Wales Open Art FairTregardon, Ceredigion, Wales
www.cambriaarts.org.uk
Llanddewi Brefi isn’t only the fictional home of Daffyd Thomas, the BBC’s outlandish Little Britain character. This Welsh parish really is on the map, and it’s where you’ll also find the tiny market town of Tregardon, nestled against the Cambrian Mountains and the annual host to this art fair. Not only is it the biggest event of its kind in the area, it’s also the most important event on the Celf Cambria Arts’ calendar. The emphasis of the event is placed specifically on celebrating Welsh artistic talent, where both amateur artists and the more professional share hanging space.
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