I've been really busy recently making as much as I can and getting around to fairs and markets in the run up to Christmas. I'm just back from London where I was exhibiting at Craft Central's Winter Market over the weekend. I had a chance to have a quick explore while I was there and the standard of craftsmanship was stunning. Lots of visitors remarked to me at how beautiful everything was!
Craft Central is an association of designer makers based in London. They've recently moved their premises from St John's Square in central London to The Forge on the Isle of Dogs, where they've built a sizeable colony of immaculate plywood workshops within an extremely characterful listed factory building a little further out near to the Canary Wharf area. Unfortunately on the weekend of the market, both the DLR and Southern Rail train services decided at the last minute to perform engineering works on the routes towards The Forge, but plenty of resourceful crafts aficionados still found ways to visit - including by boat crossing over the river! The quay is very close to the venue, so in fact it's a perfect way to arrive even when other transport is working normally.
The market felt very festive and was stocked with lots of exciting wares, from jewellery and ceramics to textiles, leather goods and basket weaving. Family friendly workshops were laid on, and there was a very decently priced cafe selling refreshments and delicious cakes. Everyone I talked to seemed to be having a lovely time, and there were many very positive comments about the look of Craft Central's new base.
Craft Central holds several markets a year as well as hosting many other events, so if you're interested in coming along to one in the future, check out their website www.craftcentral.org.uk and perhaps subscribe to their twitter feed at https://twitter.com/CraftCentralUK .