The Exeter Craft4Crafters Show is a not-to-be-missed event on the first Saturday in February for anyone who enjoys a hobby in their spare time. The Westcountry is a particular haven for crafters and artisans, perhaps because of the availability of many natural resources such as wool, shells, wood and clay. The slower pace of life and the beautiful scenery are also an inspiration to those who are artistically inclined.
Craft4Crafters takes over the Westpoint Arena near Exeter
The Westpoint Arena is the major showground serving Devon and Cornwall and the Craft4Crafters Show is well worth making the journey to Clyst St Mary, just outside Exeter, where the event takes place.
The show runs over three days from Thursday to Saturday, from 10am to 5pm. Although it usually takes place in early February, in 2014 the event actually starts on Thursday 30 January through to Saturday 1 February.
The complex is taken over by traders, stalls and exhibitors in what is hailed as the largest crafting supplies event in the southwest. The event includes talks, demonstrations and workshops providing plenty of new ideas and inspiration. Craft4Crafters is also the best place to pick up those hard to find supplies or to bulk buy for best prices without the additional coast of postage and packing.
Hundreds of crafts are represented at Craft4Crafters
Crafts featured include embroidery, card making, knitting, paper crafts, stamping, scrapbooking, sewing, cross stitch, jewellery making, beading, painting, patchwork, quilting, lacemaking, woodturning and many other crafts. Admire origami, pressed flowers, stamping, textiles, glass making, leatherwork and a host of other more unusual crafts.
There are a few other stalls intermingled with craft suppliers selling food and treats such as gourmet nuts, herbs and spices. There is also a Crafters Café for enjoying lunch and resting your weary feet for a while.
Stallholders attend Craft4Crafters from all over the UK combining with local craft companies to create a wonderful showcase of supplies, techniques and ideas. The products available are aimed at hobby crafters as well as those who have turned their craft into a small business either run from home or on the internet.
Make and Take Zone is a fun place to learn a new craft
After browsing the lines of stalls and enjoying the hubbub of enthusiastic voices discussing their creative passions, I usually head for the Make and Take Zone. Experts are on hand to guide you through a hands-on opportunity to learn a new craft or technique. It's a great place to ask questions, brush up on your skills or try out a totally new craft and you get to take your finished product away with you.
Another corner to head for is the West Country Embroiderers where talented locals from aged 6 upwards showcase their beautiful embroidered works. The 30 local groups of West Country Embroiderers come together from all over the southwest. Admire their exhibition of works which includes embroidered pictures, wall hangings, bags, boxes, cushions and more, all done by the local members.
The annual Embroidery Competition always produces some wonderful work. Each year there is a different challenge such as embroidering a Postcard from the Front, to mark the centenary of the commencement of World War 1.
Visitors are advised to buy their Craft4Crafters tickets online and to book any workshops they wish to attend at the same time, as places are limited. Workshops include various Hobbycrafts demos, along with an Embroidery Advice Clinic and a Make and Take Stamp Up.
Are you a Devon crafter? Will you be attending Craft4Crafters? If you belong to a local hobby group we'd love you to share your group details in the comments box below and help spread the word.
Born in Cheshire, Gillian Birch moved to Cornwall at her earliest opportunity and never looked back. After 20 years, her ongoing discovery of popular attractions, quiet footpaths and local eateries has made her a fount of knowledge as she entertains readers with her informative articles on the hidden gems of Devon & Cornwall from a local point-of-view.