Homespun style
Last weekend I came across a feature in The Mail on Sunday’s You supplement promoting rustic and handcrafted pieces for the kitchen and dining room. The word “homespun” was used in the title which in this instance I took to mean a style that is “simple and homely; unpretentious”. The collections of wooden furniture, colourful china, textured glassware and copper accessories were very pleasing to the eye but I was disappointed to note that they were mostly sourced from large High Street stores or well known on-line shops. Undeniably these convenient outlets play a large part in providing our homes with a vast array of quality home accessories but occasionally it is really pleasing to buy a beautiful handcrafted object that has not been mass produced and adds to the uniqueness of an environment. Maybe not as readily available as those featured, but well worth looking out at craft fairs, farmers’ markets, one-off shops, galleries and exhibitions.
I am a regular visitor to the House & Gardens Spirit of Christmas Fair where many artists sell their wares. One of my favourites is Beverley Hewitt Designs whose website is www.beverleyhewittdesigns.co.uk.
Another fair I visited for the first time last year was the South Downs Wood Fair and Country Show. Predominately promoting wood crafts I bought this lovely wooden heart and swag made by www.prettybeautiful.co.uk. Visit www.woodlandcrafts.co.uk for up and coming events in 2015.
Another brilliant source for finding genuine artisans and for championing fledging enterprises is Country Living Magazine. This year they are offering 30 readers the opportunity to sell their homemade items at their free pop-up market at the CL Spring Country Fair on March 18 2015. Visit their website at www.kitchentabletalent.com to apply for a pitch before February 9 2015.
