Handmade in Britain

Christmas Cheer in Chelsea~A Crafter’s Delight

Visitors enjoyed extraordinary British craftsmanship at the 9^th edition of The Contemporary Crafts & Design Fair

For 9 years, the Handmade in Britain shows have been an annual celebration of the very best of contemporary fine crafts. Handmade in Britain hosts The Contemporary Crafts & Design Fair each winter, beginning the Christmas season with exceptional design and crafts in a luxury shopping experience, set to the glamourous backdrop of the Chelsea Old Town Hall. The 10th anniversary edition of the show takes place in November 2016.

The fairs have showcased some of the sector’s biggest talents and continue to provide a launch pad for new graduates and emerging designers. The result is a truly unique and festive event. With innovative design alongside truly exceptional craftsmanship, visitors this year were once again treated to a dazzling variety of form, function and style from over 120 highly skilled designer-makers.

Our Visitors

Footfall this year was encouraging with over 3300 attendees across the weekend. The show was well attended by a broad range of customers including affluent retail consumers alongside trade buyers from major retail stores, galleries, independent boutiques and online platforms. Buyers and galleries from the UK and abroad attended, with representatives from well-known UK based stores.

New Graduates

Alongside established and well-known makers, Handmade in Britain invited ARTS THREAD Selects to showcase the work of ten top graduate talents. The showcase was an overwhelming success for these new designer-makers who presented creative, vibrant and inspiring work across a range of disciplines – from jewellery to ceramics, and textiles to enamelware.

Success for Designer-Makers

This year, Handmade in Britain 15 welcomed an exceptional calibre of work from over 120 exhibitors, each handpicked by our panel of industry experts which included Marianne Lumholdt, Mar Mar Co; Kate Bentley, Bils & Rye Gallery; Dan Goode, Home of Artisans; Ian Rudge, Clarion Events and Judith Harris, The Conran Shop. The exhibitors demonstrated extraordinary talent across fashion and interiors, offering an exciting variety of absolute craftsmanship from all four corners of the UK. Disciplines showcased included glass, ceramics, jewellery, furniture, fashion accessories and home textiles.

Handmade in Britain 15 once again drew a fantastic response, with both visitors and makers praising the exceptional standard, variety and innovation of the work on show, alongside appreciation for a lovely, friendly and buzzing atmosphere.

Exhibitors reflect on #Chelsea15

Jill Ford

“I thought the show looked fab - with the usual high standard of work.”

Jill Ford

Alison Stockmarr

“Thank you so much for such a fantastically well organised event. Everything from set up to finish was great. Set up and finish are usually a bun fight but with such careful planning and so many charmingly helpful porters, it was a dream.....On a personal front, I’ve never achieved such success....Many thanks for all your help and advice...what a team!"

Alison Stockmarr

Emily Thatcher

“Thanks for putting on such a great show, it not only looked fantastic, but it was also really well curated, which really showed in the attendance and sales!...I will definitely be applying for 2016.”

Emily Thatcher

Alice Robson

“I would very much like to do it again...and thought the whole show was fantastically organised.”

Alice Robson

Leonardo Pieroni

“We picked up two new and wonderful clients. One has already visited our studio....”

Leonardo Pieroni

Sabine Konig

“The Private View was lovely, really busy and buzzing.”

Sabine Konig

Annie Ruthven-Taggart

“Really looking forward to the 10th Year celebrations next year.”

Annie Ruthven-Taggart

Support for contemporary craftsmanship

The Fair was well supported by media partners Crafts Magazine, Ceramic Review, Selvedge Magazine, Craft & Design Magazine, Arts Thread and Resident Magazine and headline sponsor Home of Artisans who took centre stage quite literally with their online marketplace which transformed the main stage. Their stand offered a variety of beautiful handcrafted objects for the home from Scandi inspired ceramics to contemporary tapestry art.

New Year: The 10th Anniversary

Handmade in Britain 16: The Contemporary Crafts & Design Fair

11 – 13 November 2016

Chelsea Old Town Hall, London

Handmade in Britain exists to support, promote and celebrate designer-makers who create their work in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. We increase accessibility and visibility, create market opportunities and maintain high standards in the craft sector whilst providing a comprehensive support programme towards a bright future for British craft and design. Our work provides a platform for design and craft talent through both our own events and collaborations with other organisations, alongside a mentoring programme and membership scheme.