Kirstie Allsopp
– banish stress with craft
Kirstie and crafting go hand in hand, and next month Kirstie’s popular Handmade Fair will return to the beautiful setting of Hampton Court Palace for the fifth year running.
Whether you want to needle-felt a penguin, sew a kimono or master the art of papercutting, everything can be found in this crafter’s paradise.
Incredibly proud of her venture, Kirstie loves celebrating all things crafty – particularly with those who are new to the world of crafting.
“There are so many people out there who were told by art teachers at school that they were hopeless, and there are loads of people who think they can’t craft when they absolutely can.
“It’s just a matter of getting them in the right environment to be open to new things and also with the right teacher.”
In recent years crafting has really captured our imaginations. With dozens of publications dedicated to everything from origami to knitting, there’s no doubt that crafting seems here to stay – but just why do people love it so much?
“I think that it’s about mindfulness and moments of calm in an increasingly hectic world. I think we know how bad our phones are for us and that social media is a double-edged sword. I think people just enjoy having those moments of ‘doing’ – not chatting or typing… just gently doing something.
“I also think crafting can provide an outlet to cope with stress and anxiety. I think it is wicked that it is being squeezed out of the school curriculum.”
Past generations used to buy clothes to last, but nowadays there seems to be more of a disposable attitude to clothes buying, Kirstie says.
“It’s just head-bangingly frustrating! Do you know the number one reason for clothes being thrown away? Missing a button!
“I do think having good quality things and looking after them really is the only way, w environmentally and in ever y other respect. I think we have lost sight of that t a little, but I do think we might be reaching the tipping point.
“There’s suddenly starting to be talk of cheap and disposable clothing not being a good thing. We all need to be able to mend things. We should all be able to pick up a needle and thread and mend something.”
Kirstie points out that there’s lots of money to be saved by learning some crafting basics.
“I went to a shop this morning and they had a really beautiful linen envelope cushion, but it was £135.
“Now anyone could make an envelope cushion, it’s such an easy process. Anyone could buy this fabric and make this for a fraction of the price.”
As well as her shows, Kirstie has plenty of other projects on the horizon.
“I’m making more Love It Or List It and Location, Location, Location, then I’ll be spending lots of time sourcing
“The number one REASON why clothes are THROWN AWAY? Missing a BUTTON!”
Christmas craft inspiration.”
Incredibly busy with work, Kirstie cherishes her downtime with her family, spending time in her home in Devon. She has two sons, Bay and Oscar with husband Ben, and two stepsons, Hal and Orion.
“I’m totally outmanoeuvred and outnumbered on every count!” she laughs. “Motorbikes, quadbikes… they have this little ramp they’ve built over a stream at our house in Devon that they go over. It’s like living with Evel Knievel times four! I tr y not to mollycoddle them, though.
“We do a lot together as a family. We’re all very keen swimmers and sea swimmers – apart from my husband Ben, who likes to sit on the beach and
watch us go about like seals in the freezing cold water!”
Kirstie, who’s been on television now for 20 years, also loves to travel with her family.
“We do go away quite a bit. I love the Kenyan coast – it’s so amazing. We also go to the Bahamas which has some of the most beautiful sea swimming in the world.
“We get away as a family a lot. Not a lot of spa weekends… but I think they’re overrated anyway!”
When it comes to true happiness, Kirstie admits it’s the simple pleasures in life that really count.
“A per fect day for me would be a day off in Devon. I’d probably get up, and once I’d done the breakfast for the kids, I’d have a bath.
“That’s my great luxur y, I love that; when I’ve made my bed, the kitchen is all tidy and I feel I can really relax in the bath. “Then we might have friends for lunch which happens a lot. We have a big barbecue which Ben adores, so we do a lot of barbecues.
“I’ve got a Border terrier called Dandy, so we might go to the village for a walk. There are lots of good antique shops and auction houses around us so that’s often a big part of our weekend. I’m very lucky!”