News from the Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair

I've had a really fantastic time at the show. I have sold lots of lamps and worked hard to promote my work and Radiance which I suppose is the ultimate aim but I have also met up with old exhibitor friends, made new ones and had a lovely, lovely time! It was really nice to know that lots of people looked at my picture of the shop with recognition or with excitement and the promise of paying us a visit! It also met so many people I have been chatting to via blogs and Twitter over the last year and it was really nice to put faces to names.

This year my stand was opposite Linzi Ramsden, a ceramic artist based at The Manchester Craft Centre. She is also inspired by plants and flowers and actually grows her own flowers which she used to create the textures in her ceramic panels. They are lovely and so was she. She was a good stand neighbour and kept us entertained.

This year the show was situated in a large marquee in the centre of Spinningfields, Manchesters new and swanky business quarter off Deansgate. They had an awesome banner. It was huge! Last year the show was at Manchester Grammar School which perhaps a little more quirky but it was nice to be in the centre of town and the venue was more condensed which had it's benefits.



Despite driving rain and high winds it was very busy most of the time and people seemed to be enjoying all the lovely work which I have to say was outstanding and very inspiring. Although I didn't have much time to spend going round get round I did take some time to have a look and take some pictures.

Being me, I always notice the lighting and I loved Jane Blease's new work (shown above)- lampshades, brooches and some lovely framed pieces. There will be some coming to Radiance soon!

Another lighting artist at the show was Jenny Bland with her beautiful lamps and shades made from spun embroidery thread. (hopefully also coming to Radiance soon)



There were some lovely displays and quirky ideas. I liked these hands on Lynsey Walters stand displaying her colourful felt rings.



Kate O'Connells serving platters based on shards of broken pottery caught my eye.

It's always nice to catch up with the lovely Debbie Bryan and was good to hear that her new shop in Nottinghams Lace Market is doing well. She gave me one of her beautiful resin buttons which I have happily sewn on my cardy!

I always like Yungi's cosy textile stand too and catch up with Mr Yungi himself (Bryan Young) We were stand neighbours at b.c.t.f afew years ago. We always have a giggle.

...well I have run out of photos but I feel like I have barely scratched the surface There were SO many talented makers (144 to be precise) making so many utterly beautiful things. It's an honour to have been a part of it.

There are more reviews with great pictures over at Moregeous and over at HisforHome.