Craft Festival 2023
So here it is the week of Craft Festival in Bovey Tracey Devon, and here I am 2 days before set up writing this blog to let you all know about it!!
I swear in my head I am so much more organised than I actually am…. or I think I have way more time. The good news is the jewellery is made, well most of it, there is always time for a few last min pieces, and the great news is it’s all completely new! Yes I am launching two new collections…
What is Craft Festival?
So for those of you who don’t know Craft Festival takes place every year in June organised by the awesome Sarah James and her team. She gets together 200 of the top makers including: Jewellery, textiles, glass, wood, leather, paper, ceramics, mixed media and brings them together in a huge U shaped marquee set up ready for the general public to come see and buy to their hearts content. They also have demonstrations, workshops, kids crafts, live music, food, drink and so much more. The atmosphere is just brilliant! If you’ve been before you know what I’m talking about.
As a maker its the perfect opportunity to meet with customers new and old and share an extra insight into our work, there is nothing better than buying something directly from the person who made it. It’s also a great chance to meet up with fellow makers and meet new ones. The world of craft can be quite isolating if you’re in your own little studio day in day out (I’m grateful I have the gallery space), a lot of us meet via social media, so its nice to meet and chat in person. We boost each other, laugh a lot and quite often buy each others work!!
The New collections….
This year I have decided to take all new pieces of jewellery to Craft Festival (it’s exciting and terrifying all at the same time). The first is my new ‘Kahlo’ collection- heavy on the lace, designed to represent her flower crowns and the colours inspired by a photograph ‘Frida on white bench’ taken by photographer and friend of Kahlo’s: Nickolas Murray in New York 1939. Each piece features my signature teardrop shape with lots and lots of hand tatted lace flutters (so much so my hands almost stopped working!!!). Most pieces are one off but can be remade to order.
The second collection is something i’ve been thinking about for soooo many years! I’ve finally had my tiny tatted lace flutters cast in silver and gold! The new and improved ‘Occhi’ (from the German word for the lace making technique of tatting) collection features diamonds and semi precious stones set alongside the cast lace elements to make beautifully delicate and everyday wearable items to treasure forever.
If you haven’t already, get your tickets and come and see for yourselves.
Emma @OliveRoseJewel