Craft Focus - October/November (Issue 75)

26 BISCUIT FACTORY UNVEILS AUTUMN EXHIBITION Art and craft gallery The Biscuit Factory is set to welcome acclaimed printmaker, painter and sculptor Henrietta Corbett as its headline artist this autumn. Depicting horses, lions, birds and abstract landscapes, Henrietta’s new collection will be shown at the Newcastle venue until 3 rd November. The gallery will also be exhibiting work from more than 200 local, national and international artists including Jill Tate, Deborah Grice and Sally Spens. “We look forward to the launch of every exhibition and our autumn show is no exception,” says Rachel Brown, general manager of The Biscuit Factory. “This show particularly highlights the continued broadening of our gallery programming.” Go to thebiscuitfactory.com for more information. GRANS GET BUZZY AT THE CREATIVE CRAFT SHOW Crafting group Grans on the Make has joined forces with ICHF Events to launch a bee-making scheme, and is inviting enthusiasts across the UK to knit, crochet or felt their own design. The campaign is set to heighten awareness of the plight of bees whilst raising funds for charity. The Make a Beeline project will also feature at Creative Craft Show events across the UK this autumn. Hundreds of bees have already been produced and will be available for sale at each show. Visitors can also create their own design using needlefelt techniques, while Grans on the Make is offering beginner felting workshops in partnership with The Makerss. The project will culminate at the November show, where visitors will be able to view a hive and ‘meadow’ complete with a swarm of knitted, crocheted and felted bees and flowers. “Craft has the capacity to engage and inspire and the community delivers in spades with our projects for good causes,” says Pat Wilson from Grans on the Make. “The plight of the bee is well-documented, and we want to use this opportunity to celebrate these incredible creatures while inspiring people to take small steps to help protect them and raise funds for charity. We encourage anyone to head to the shows and have a go whether you have craft experience or not so you can take home your very own felted bee.” The Creative Craft Show will also be selling bee-rings and bee-bombs to encourage visitors to create their own insect-friendly gardens. Tickets can be booked at ichfevents.co.uk Festive shows to pr ovide inspiration for craft consumers Festive shows Crafts for Christmas, Simply Christmas and Country Homes & Interiors Christmas will be returning to cities across the UK this season, offering visitors a slice of inspiration, ideas and artisan shopping opportunities. Simply Christmas and Crafts for Christmas will both feature a range of daily demonstrations and workshops, with a diverse selection of gifts on offer including bespoke jewellery, clothing, scented candles, ceramics and lifestyle products. Country Homes & Interiors Christmas promises a boutique-style shopping event, with a carefully selected range of home, decorating and lifestyle items. “The shows provide a great opportunity for visitors to get their Christmas shopping done early and wow friends and family with exceptional handmade items,” says Jane Bolsover, features manager for each event. Crafts for Christmas takes place at Glasgow SEC from 24 th -27 th October. Simply Christmas will run from 31 st October-3 rd November at Birmingham NEC and Country Homes & Interiors Christmas will be held at Stonor Park in Henley-on-Thames from 21 st November – 24 th November. Tickets can be booked at ichfevents.co.uk Consumer show news