Image: Carole Waller.
The Digital Craft Festival returns 27-29 November, with new work from 150 exhibitors, free workshops and demonstrations on a wide range of topics including in-depth ‘Meet the Master Makers’ interviews. Going beyond craft to support mental health, there are also free exercise classes including live yoga workshops, Qigong sessions and even guidance on running from the Secret Run Club - not forgetting a Kitchen Disco presented by Print Garage. Highlights include Aardman Animation Senior Model Maker and Animator, Jim Parkyn, teaching a live Make-Along-with-Jim session. James Otter, master craftsman, award-winning wooden surfboard maker will be chatting with Mark Shayler about his custom-made wooden surfboards, and his latest book Do Make.
Image: Sian O'Doherty.
150 makers are currently making, photographing and stocking their shops with new designs to present over the weekend. Warriner Leatherworks will be showing traditionally handcrafted leather items inspired by the want to move away from a mass produced, throwaway society. Award-winning textile artist and designer, Sian O'Doherty, known for her unique knitted fabrics for garments, accessories and interior styling, will be launching new colourways, designs and online knitting machine workshops taking place over the festival weekend. O'Doherty will also be doing a series of live videos introducing her alpacas that live at her studio, in Pembrokeshire.
Exclusively for Digital Craft Festival, Feather & Hay will be creating two designs inspired by the wintery landscape of the Cairngorm Mountain Range in central Scotland. The designs conjure the vast expanse of russet moors, blue grey mountains and the soft grey and white of snow-capped peaks. Hand weaver, Jessica Cutler Textiles, located in Devon will be showcasing a range of hand-woven products from scarves and accessories to interior pieces including small blankets and cushions. Inspiration taken from her local Devon landscape - field to shore - is represented in the patterns and colour palettes of her craft, bringing life to her work.
To book your places in advance or for further information visit digitalcraftfestival.co.uk