What a Show! Thank you for visiting Made by Hand, Cardiff
Written: 14 November 2018
Thank you for visiting Made by Hand, Cardiff
Over 3000 happy visitors came to Cardiff's City Hall to Made by Hand earlier this month. The weekend buzzed with excitement as visitors met and bought from 150 of the country's finest designer makers and shopping was at the top of the agenda.
We have a simple mission: To make craft important. Not in a showy offy, aren't-we-clever sort of way. But to make it part of your everyday life, whether you make for fun or for a living, whether you buy it or admire it for it's skill and beauty. I know it sounds a bit IKEAish, but we want it to be your Every Day.
Introducing this year's Made by Hand Award Winners
Above, the judges gave Sian O'Doherty from Tenby Best Maker in Wales. Sian's stunning knitwear label has gone from strength to strength. Her colour combinations reflects the Pembrokeshire countryside were she lives, coupled by a passion for the quality and versatlity of Welsh Wool. Sian receives a free stand at next year's Made by Hand, Cardiff.
Janine from Bristol was awarded Llantarnam Grange Arts Centre's Showcase. Her range of enamelled wall pieces and accessories are always popular but the judges particularly liked her new, dynamic carved leather work
Leoma from Hereford was awarded Made by Hand's Best Stand. The judges praised Leoma for the composition of her stand which made it easy for customers to see and try on her finely made jewellery. Leoma wins a free stand at next year's Made by Hand, Cardiff.
Woolly Mammoth Fabrics
Woolly Mammoth Fabrics from Cardiff was awarded Best New Business by madebyhandonline.com. Judges were impressed by the quality and range of beautifully woven fabrics by such a young business. Woolly Mammoth Fabrics exhibited in the Start Up section of Made by Hand. She wins madebyhandonline.com shop and mentoring by owner, Katie Honnor.
Meet our Highly Commended Award winners:
Bronwen Gwillim, Highly Commended New Business; Grace & Favour, Young People's Award; Treefall Design, Highly Commended Best Stand; The Cat in The Shoe Highly Commended Best Stand; Louise Hall, Highly Commended Best Maker in Wales.
Meeting The Master Makers
Our sell out masterclasses featured potter, Walter Keeler and textile artist, Michelle Griffiths. Behind the scenes, Make it in Wales and Learning Cardiff workshops were full to bursting with visitors learning a new craft skill. Major Tom had visitors of all ages and abilities rapt as he explained the process of making a pot at the Pottery Throwdown. Our Throwdown was supported by the inimitable Billy Adams and Margo Schmidt, and made possible by Potclays. Llantarnam Grange Art Centre's ever popular drop in workshops were this year inspired by exhibitor and mosaic artist, Cleo Mussi.
Our final thanks go to our event sponsors Cardiff Council, Llantarnam Grange Arts Centre, madebyhandonline.com, Brickworks, Make it In Wales, Potclays, Learning Cardiff, Alex Lloyd Jenkins Photography, The Craft Festival and Axminster Tools.
From all of us at Made by Hand, thank you. Next year's Cardiff dates are November 1-3rd, 2019. Our next event is at Cheltenham Town Hall from March 8-10th. CLICK HERE TO BUY TICKETS.
Best wishes, Sarah, Nina, Kate and Fran
Applications for The Craft Festival 2019 close on November 30th. CLICK HERE TO APPLY.