Time to get crafty
Wales’ largest contemporary craft fair, Made By Hand, is in Cardiff this weekend. Here’s what to expect...
WHETHER you like to knit, stitch or get messy with clay, losing yourself in craft has become the go-to activity to combat the stresses and strains of modern life.
Now people will have the ultimate opportunity to immerse themselves in all things crafty at this weekend’s mega craft fair, Made by Hand.
Returning for its fifth anniversary at Cardiff’s City Hall, the annual celebration of craft features 145 of the finest makers from Wales and the UK. Are you ready to be inspired?
Here are 10 reasons why you should visit...
1. Get some one-off Christmas presents
Don’t leave things until the last-minute this year... you can buy unique Christmas presents from the collection of potters, jewellers, textile artists, glass makers, leather workers and woodworkers.
These include Anvil Forge from Pontypool, Katie Victoria (textiles) from Swansea, Bethan Jarvis (jewellery) from Caernarvon, Claire Cawte (textiles) from Penarth, Fauxidermy (textiles) from Abergavenny, Michael Goode (printmaker) from Barry and Glosters (pottery) from Porthmadog.
2. Enjoy some demonstrations
You will see many masters at work across various fields, including pottery by Eluned Glyn from Cardiff, papercutting by By Charlie’s Hand from Pontypool, willow basket weaving by Hatton Willow from Caerphilly plus needle felt making, eco fabric dyeing and willow sculpture.
3. Support small businesses from Wales
You can feel confident and rather proud that you are buying from a small, Welsh business. Buying small has the added benefit of bringing money back into the local economy and the knowledge that you are supporting a hard-working, independent business. These include, Ruth Packham (textiles) from Borth, Jaejun Lee (ceramics) from Cardiff, Sian O’Doherty (textiles) from Tenby, Reptile Ceramics from Whitland, Sara Lois (jeweller) from Pwllheli and Louise Hall (pottery) from Cardiff.
4. Join the Pottery Throwdown
Meet the potters from the hit BBC TV show – Tom, Clover, Richard and Jim – and challenge them to a pottery throwdown, presented in association with Potclays. Billy Adams and Margo Schmidt from Cardiff will be keeping order and visitors can sign up to a potting challenge on the day.
5. Meet pottery legend Walter Keeler
All good festivals have a living legend slot and Made by Hand is no exception. Walter Keeler from Penallt will be showing visitors how his work is made and talking about his incredible career in ceramics.
6. Lose yourself in two hours of creative bliss
There are some workshop places left over the weekend.
Hop onto www.madebyhand-wales.co.uk and book the final places now.
7. Kids go free!
Accompanied children under 18 will enjoy free entry and they can enjoy free drop-in workshops provided by Llantarnam Grange Arts Centre in Cwmbran.
8. Learn something new
Textile artist Michelle Griffiths from Llantrisant will be showing visitors how the intricate Japanese shibori textiles are made. It’s a free event, included in your ticket.
9. Meet the StartUp makers
Made by Hand features a collection of emerging makers in their first two years of business. You are guaranteed to find something new and unusual.
10. Be inspired
You can also take part in two hour workshops provided by Make it in Wales & Learning Cardiff.
Made by Hand will take place in Cardiff City Hall from today until Sunday. Entry times are 10am to 5pm on Fri & Sat and 10am to 4pm on Sun. Tickets (per day) are £7 (£6 conc). Three-day tickets are £13 (£11 conc). Accompanied children under 18 go free. Visit madebyhand-wales.co.uk