Craftseller - November 2014

62 Craftseller

ON THE MOVE

Bold and beautiful buys

at Red Opia

an

The Hat Box owner,Gillian,

among a plethora of glam

bespokeheadwear...

p

DESIGNER CRAFTS

AT THE MALL

8 -17January

The Mall(Nr Trafalgar Sq), London

Browse at andshopfrom selected

workbythecelebratedand

experiencedfellows ofThe Society

of Designer Craftsmen. It’s one of

thebestplaces tobefor cutting-

edgejewellery, ceramics, furniture,

glasswork and textiles.

CRAFT

11-1 3 January

Olympia, London

Featuringtheworkofover 150

makers, CRAFT whereyou canbe

inspiredandinfluencedbyonlythe

best in traditionalandcontemporary

crafting.Abrilliantdayout in

London, itpromises to entice and

inspire with its arrayof makers,

coveringeverythingfrom basketryto

enamellingand millinery!

SCOTLAND’S TRADE FAIR

18 - 20 January

SECC, Glasgow

Witha mix ofexhibitors,this event

promises tobe onefilledwithgreat

Scottishhandmakesandmuchmore.

Discover a smorgasbordofjewellery,

homewares, textiles, clothingand

fashionaccessories.

Craftfairs in January

Get even craftier nextyear with

thesegreat January markets

WE WANT TO KNOW ABOUT HANDMADE FAIRS NEAR YOU!

Email [email protected] with your craft market news

Next month

we’re in

BELFAST

criteria – beautiful,functional and individual.
Shop assistant Kim Griffin says working in
the markets is extra special. “There’s such a
relaxed,friendly atmosphere. It’sfullofsmall
shops and so it feels like you’re going to work
withyour neighbours.”The nextbig phase
will be the festive spree. “Christmas isgoing
tobe rammed.Iloveitwhen it’sbusy though

• you get that buzz.”

WHENCRAFTYSUPPLIESCALL...
I probably would have missed out onDarn It
&Stitchhon Blue Boar Street (darnitandstitch.
com),hadit notbeenfor ablue vintage
bicycle wearing theshop sign andan arrow
pointing mysteriouslyoff from the city’s
town hall. The solo arrow leads passers-by
towardsablue shopfront tuckedsnugly
away on a cobbledlane. Thealluring charm
ofthe cottage exteriorleadstotheshop’s
interior which spills out a ‘sweet-shop’
collection ofhaberdashery essentials. Trunks
ofknitting yarns, reelsofribbons andbaskets
brimming withbuttonsfloodtheshop
floor and walls. It’s not just all pretty and
impractical- this really is a great location to
enjoy a compromise ofthe two. Above the

shop you’ll findaworkshop space that offers

crafting classes. Grouped under the umbrella,

‘Pin Works’ the classes suit all skills and

abilities. Knitting, pattern-cutting and ‘make

friends withyour sewing machine’ are just

snippets of a crafting community at work.

FORINSPIRATIONA-PLENTY...

For crafters with an artistic inclination,

inspiration willsparkat art centre,The Old

Firehouseon George Street(oldfirestation.

org.uk). Its focus – which includes the shop

stocked with designs from over 100 UK-based

craftsellers – remains on supporting early

to mid-career artists andmakers, working

alongside more experiencedcreatives. It’sa

constantlychanging space gearedupfor only

the best in inspiration.

ALIKE-MINDED MEETINGPLACE

For a hobby or trade that’s so often spent solo,

thePittRiversMuseumm(prm.ox.ac.uk) is the

place toholdyour craftingdesireshigh,and

get stuckin. Hosting a range ofmind-opening

events in theform ofexhibitions, classes and

more. It’s one of thegreat hubs of Oxford’s

creativelifeand epitomises this city’s passion

for making.