I’m just back from the Handmade Fair in Hampton Court, London 19th – 21st September 2014 9.30am-6pm. If you haven’t noted it yet on your craft event calender then you might want to take a look.
This is the first year of the show and with Kirstie Allsopp, who is fast becoming the UK’s embodiment of everything crafts, putting her name to it, it is bound to pull a crowd. Filled with crafts of all types from stitching to papercrafting, pom pom making to upcycling, cake decorating to jewellery making, well you get the idea. I do love a good craft fest and there was plenty to feast your eyes upon here.
Hampton Court is a right royal place to hold a craft fair and they did make you walk what seemed like the whole grounds (I think it was the entire grounds) to get to the fair. But when you get there you are greeted by the first group of food stalls in case you are feeling faint after your trek.
There are two main exhibitor tents for a shopping frenzy. The majority of the stalls are run by makers selling their finished products but there were some stalls selling craft items, haberdashery and kits for your own projects. I’m pretty fascinated by chalk paints at the moment so it was great to see DecoArt there demoing their chalk paint ranges.
[The DecoArt stand]
Also there was some papercrafting goodness for you papercrafting fans with Craftwork Cards, Sugar and Spice and Craft Asylum as well as the lovely guys from Cricut demoing the Cricut Explore*. I also spotted some gorgeous wood cut pieces from Art Cuts who I’ve not spotted before, ooo pretty!
[Sugar and Spice stand]
Then if you are tired of shopping (seriously?!) there are some make and takes, workshops, Janome sewing masterclasses, Mollie Makes and Etsy business tents and the talks / interviews of well known designers. But you do have to pay for the workshops and talks. Go check on the website as some events are sold out.
[Beautiful necklaces made from found objects by Amanda Morris at Enchanted Cherub]
As far as I know you can still get day entry to the fair for Saturday and Sunday at the event for £15 (I think, don’t hold me too that!) but the advance entry-only are sold out. I think you can also buy a package ticket which includes entry and a workshop and a talk and is nearer to £30 (again don’t hold me to that). But best to check with the event organisers at the Website or on Twitter.
So if you are a huge craft fan who wants to be inspired by makers, perhaps do a workshop and buy some unique handmade gifts then the show has two more days left, go check it out.
I had fun bumping into some old friends and new and am looking forward to seeing how the show evolves in the years to come. I definitely would have checked out the upcycling furniture workshops but unfortunately they were all sold out. Seems we are all into upcycling at the moment aren’t we?
I would love to know if you went or are going to the fair so do leave a comment to tell me what you think.
Catch you later craftinators.
Kim
[Just so you know, the Cricut link is an affiliated link and I also got a press pass to the show. But as always any views are entirely my own and not paid for by anyone else.]
This sounds really interesting, Kim, and it's near my family so I would definitely go if I wasn't going to ally pally. Would go next year,
Lucy x
I know, I would definitely choose Ally Pally over the Handmade Fair if you are in a papercrafting mood. Whoever sorted out the schedule for this weekend just didn't do their homework. The Autumn Stitches show is on as well on Sunday and Monday. Crazy! Have fun at AP might see you there! Kx
I would definitely go if it was closer, great coverage of new show Kim Thank You!
You NEED the new DecoArt paints. Have done a blog post earlier tonight with something a bit different using tbeir paints.
Great Post Kim:-) xxx
Oooo I will hop on over and take a look 🙂
Sounds interesting, I looked at the website the other day after seeing some of Kirsty's tweets, but am already going to Ally Pally all weekend, so couldn't fit it in, with work today!!
Yeah, not a good weekend with Ally Pally going on and everything. I think for papercraft Ally Pally wins hands down with knobs on 🙂 Have fun and I might see you there 🙂 x
This looks like so much fun 🙂 xx
Hope the downpours didn't catch you yesterday – East London got well & truly flooded.
Thank you for the review of the show – the photo of Marion Emberson's "Sugar & Spice" stand looks great. She is one of my local retailers so I've seen the sign and many other things taking shape over recent weeks.
Toni xx
Thanks for the ace show report. Couldn't make it – but hopefully, next year!