Creative ‘makers’ get crafty as Mountbatten Centre hosts fair
THE Mountbatten Centre hosted its first craft fair as makers from across the area showcased their creative work.
Stallsofferedshopperseverything handmade from wire jewellery and dog biscuits to embroidered hats and homebaked fudge.
The‘CraftyCraftFair’event was hosted by Funyard Events, which is run by husband and wife team Stuart and Agat Adcock.
They have been running fairs, including a vegan market and Christmas stalls, for almost five years.
Stuart said he is ‘pleased’ with Sunday’s event: ‘This is the first time we have run the craft fair from the MountbattenCentre,anditistheMountbatten Centre’s first craft fair .
‘We have tried to support local businesses throughout Covid and now.’
Tens of independent small businessesfromacrossHampshiredisplayedtheirproducts, which included vegan goodies andvintagetreasuresaswellas prints, textiles, ceramics, wall hangings, woodwork, and floral arrangements.
Among the stalls were Aldershott couple Sarah Haga and Matt Anthony, who were selling themed candles which were inspired by the weather, famous mountains, and literature.
Their small business Austromancy, which was named after the practice of using the winds in order to predict the future, was launched in March 2021.
Matt said: ‘With the help of fantastic events like these we can talk to people about our candles.’
Sarah added: ‘I love these events. For the first couple of months, I wasn’t able to do as many.
‘I’msohappytobeabletodo this again.
‘My big thing is the look of it all - I want it to be colourful but still look nice.
‘It’s great to come back and talk to people, seeing the candles being sold.’
Fellow crafter Yas Lines makes and sells hair scrunchies through her Etsy business Dandylines, which she launched in 2021.
The Portsmouth resident said: ‘This is my first fair. I was a bit nervous but now I’m here I feel a bit better.’
Eastleigh small business owner Mel Peel had a stall displaying her earrings and clips, whichshesellsunderthename Crafty Bunny Designs.
Inspiredbyhertwopetrabbits,thebusinesswaslaunched in March and operates on Etsy.
Mel said: ‘It started as art therapy.
‘My favourite are the faux turquoise earrings. I’m quite happy with those ones.’
Hannah Goff sells handmade candles created with soy wax and natural scents under her business Candle Co.
Another small business which launched during the pandemic,CandleCowasborn in the second lockdown.
She said: ‘I have been doing it for about a year.
‘Imixthewaxandthenpour it out into the moulds.
‘Being able to come to these sorts of events is important.
‘It’saniceplacetomeetother people like you and discuss different markets.’
Petersfield crocheter RachelMatthewwasthereselling keyrings, bags, plant holders, and bowls.
She said: ‘I have been crocheting since I can remember.
‘I was taught by an elderly lady many years ago.’
To find out more about upcoming events, visit Funyard Events at funyardevents.com.