Fresh from a trip to MADE London this weekend, head teeming with ideas of how to take my business a step further. One such step would be to take my spoons, bowls and other woodenware to this fantastic show next year.
The way my girlfriend and I go about making the most out of these shows now is to have a look at all the stalls at a glance, marking down as we go who we would like to take our time and see more closely and chat to the maker. It mean we spend time with everyone who grabbed our attention on all the floors.
Situated in what used to be and old church there were 4 floors with a selection of high quality designer makers.
It was the perfect opportunity to chat to makers about there work and the show itself . I received some first hand advise from makers who were showing for the first time and who have entered every year.
One such maker was Dove St Pottery who bought some of my spoons for his displays a couple of years ago, and they still look great together. David of Dove St Pottery met me at one of my early craft fairs which only had about 20 stalls. His work has come along way, and I’m very grateful for his help along the way.
There was the usual, jewellery, ceramics and fabrics. However it was encouraging to see woodwork there along with willow and cane weaving, mosaics and leather work. Also something which i thought was a nice touch, a small cinema showing short film of makers and there processes. For Ruth Glasheen this was her first MADE London show and she had all the nerves and excitement I know I will have if I get accepted for next years show. One element to her space, which only caught my eye after we’d been catting for a bit was the cardboard display, which was also the boxes she carried the work in one the train. It certainly doesn’t look out of place and gives the work all the focus. Transport is often considered when going to shows as I’m usually on a bicycle. So Like Ruth everything you carry for display has to be light and fit in panniers and a backpack. Up on the ground floor was Anne marrie O’sulivan’s willow work. she was the final person we had made a specific effort to chat with as her work is not only beautiful and well made but we especial liked her willow ladles. she also had some great advise after having done many of the MADE’s before.
Making a living from craft is not easy, needing to be the marketing department, manager, and creative director along with everything else. So i’m very grateful to all the people who have believed and invested in someone perusing there passion. And perhaps I’ll be one of the makers at MADE London next year. fingers crossed.
finally thank you Tutton & Young for a great show and great crafts.
2carvedspoons 