Events I attend.
Most makers like to attend craft fairs to exhibit their skills and products to the public – it stops us from becoming grouchy hermits, locked away in our studios and workshops!
Of course there are craft fairs and there are CRAFT FAIRS.
I admit I don’t do many. There are a great many ‘crafts events’ that take place over a few hours on a single day which tend to attract people looking for somewhere to pop into on a wet Saturday, preferably with some tea and cakes on offer.
On the other hand, there are curated events that run over several full days (at least two) and attract people who are genuinely interested in high quality crafts.
These are the ones I attend. The downside is that a lot of people make jewellery, and if the curators of such shows are good, they will set a limit on the number of people creating in a similar craft genre, so these events are often quite difficult to get into. There are two that I regularly exhibit at:
Exeter Craft Festival.
A three-day annual event in early July. This year it’s happening on 4–6 July. It takes place in a ‘tented village’ on Exeter’s Cathedral Green and hosts over 100 makers and artists from across the Westcountry. It’s been going for 48 years and is run by a small committee of volunteers (of which I’m currently one). Do visit if you can – there’s a varied programme of entertainment and on-site refreshments as well as a great variety of crafts.
Artisan Craft Fair.
A two-day event that is held every November (dates not yet finalised for this year) in Alphington Village Hall and Community Theatre, Exeter. Hosts around 35 quality crafters and artists across two beautiful rooms. I organise this one, which is fun! This year will be the fourth year we have held this craft fair.
I’ll be posting more about these events in the future so stay tuned.
Do come and say hello!
More events coming soon! Find out here …
Axe Vale Show
This two-day event takes place on 22–23 June, so not long to wait! It’s located just outside Axminster in Devon, on the A35. It’s in its 27th year and offers a variety of entertainment as well as trade and craft stands. For example, there’s a photograph competition, and a dog show which includes categories such as ‘Cutest Puppy’ and ‘Best Sausage Catcher’! Bet that one’s popular! I’ll be there with my handmade silver and semi-precious stone jewellery, so do visit if you can. It’s free to enter. For more information, visit www.axevaleshow.co.uk
The Exeter Craft Festival
This is the area’s big one! A three-day event which is in its 48th year and takes place in the beautiful and historic setting of Exeter Cathedral’s Green. It runs from Thursday 4th July to Saturday 6th July, and hosts over 100 stands featuring high quality handmade artisans’ work and original art by makers living and working in the Westcountry. It is run entirely by a small committee of volunteers on a not-for-profit basis (I’m one of them), and includes woodworking, glasswork, metalwork, jewellery of various kinds, textiles, photography, ceramics, feltwork, art of various genres, and many other categories. There is something to appeal to everyone! It is free for the public to enter, and there is free family-friendly entertainment, such as dancers, Morris Men, singers, a strolling jazz/swing quartet, a piano player with the piano keyboard mounted on her bicycle, and a children’s entertainer. Refreshment I’m on Stand 33, so do come and say hello! More information is available from www.exetercraftfestival.co.uk