Craft Focus - Dec/Jan (Issue 76)

30 JUST HANDS TV OFFERS SPRING TEXTILE WEEKEND Just Hands TV is running a textile weekend in May 2020 featuring Jamie Malden from Colouricious. Attendees will get the chance to create their own textile art, learning block printing from start to finish. Using hand-carved Indian wooden blocks, Jamie will be teaching pattern theory, layering, composition and masking. Taking place at Denham Grove Hotel in Buckinghamshire, the event costs £375 per person, including two full days of classes, luxury accommodation and food. Go to justhands-on.tv for details. SEWING FOR PLEASURE Taking place from 19 th -22 nd March at NEC, Birmingham, the 2020 edition of Sewing for Pleasure promises plenty of inspiration for crafters. Highlights will include the latest fabrics, yarns, patterns and threads, as well as a range of hands- on classes, demonstrations and opportunities to chat with experts in their field. Workshops can be booked in advance. Visit the website ichfevents.co.uk for details. ICHF to partner with Bert and Gert’s ICHF Events has announced a partnership with Birmingham-based craft market organiser Bert and Gert’s, bringing a new artisan area to the company’s shows. The first collaboration took place at Simply Christmas in late October and will continue at Creative Craft Shows throughout 2020. Bert and Gert’s was established by brothers Mark and Jason Wilkes, who started the business through a shared love of arts and crafts in 2012. The firm runs artisan markets across the UK, working with an eclectic mix of makers. The family-run company is named after the brothers’ grandparents. “Bert and Gert’s champions small artisan craft makers, so partnering with the Creative Craft Show is something we’re very excited about,” says Jason. “Being at these shows will open up a whole new audience for our traders and bring visitors something a little bit different.” The Bert and Gert’s area at Simply Christmas featured upwards of 32 stands. “The trend we see across the industry for beautiful handmade finished crafts continues to grow,” adds Simon Burns, managing director of ICHF. “Much of this has been online, and we saw an opportunity to bring in more finished crafts to our shows. Our visitors will be able to treat themselves to beautiful items as well as being inspired to stock up on materials for their own crafting projects. It’s a great fit for the shows and we’re excited to be working with Bert and Gert’s on this.” Find out more at ichfevents.co.uk Consumer show news