Living Crafts Fair 2010 at Hatfield House

“Whoever thinks that craft and design is dying out should make
time to visit the Living Crafts Fair held in the grounds of the
delightful Hatfield House...”

AT THIS GREAT EVENT traditional crafts can be found rubbing shoulders with a range of contemporary crafts. Now in its thirty-sixth year, the fair provides a showcase for craftsmen from all over the UK — all keen for you to sample and buy their wares.

First I have to mention the fantastic glass sculptures (especially the dragons) from Sandra Young. They make exquisite mobiles and are surprisingly much stronger than is evident. Sandra likened them to Pyrex glass which as we all know is extremely durable, but nowhere near as beautiful as these very delicate morsels of delight.Check out firecreation.

Fire Dragon Lamp from FireCreation

While there is much to see inside Hatfield House there are other natural treasures to be enjoyed such as the highly-acclaimed West Garden together with the famous knot parterre surrounding the Old Palace, the childhood home of Good Queen Bess and the bonus of beautiful parkland with historic oak trees in which to picnic or just sit and relax after perhaps having a go at trying your hand at Decopatch...

Decopatch was originally conceived by a French furniture restorer endeavouring to breathe fresh life into some old junk. Maggie Sheehan has taken the concept further, formulating deep-dyed and glazed art paper that can be used to cover and decorate anything and everything — papier-mâché objects, wood, metal, glass, plastic, ceramic, stone and even wicker. You name it! Fun for all the family or just about anyone and a great way to jazz up your junk, which explains why I now I have my own multi-coloured patchwork Indian elephant.Check out thedecopatchplace.

If you enjoy drinks such as Sloe Gin then look no further than Kemp's fruit wines and liqueurs. The family have been making a range of delicious fruit liqueurs commercially since 1990 and their product range is only available at shows or by mail order. They aim to stay small and all their wines/liqueurs are grown, made and bottled in Suffolk. After my own homemade liqueurs, we have to say that their range includes some of the very best we have sampled! Check out winehub.

Marianne Nash, together with fellow members of the Silk Painters Guild, create unique, vibrant and exquisite hand-painted silk pieces. The selection of painted scarves on silk, necklaces and wall panels were extremely elegant and ethereal. Unfortunately, these wonderful items had to be purchased direct from the makers and were not available to buy at the fair. However, a quick telephone call after the show is all you need to become the owner of a wonderful, individual piece of wearable art. The results are stunning and extremely good value — a fantastic source for presents that, if I am totally honest, I would have liked to keep a secret. Do look at their websites: chilternsilkpainters and silkpainters-guild.

Every girl's dream is a beautiful piece of jewellery — and there was a wide selection available to suit most pockets. I would have dearly loved three or four slim bangles in different shades of gold from Emily Nixon. Her work is inspired by Cornwall; so organic in character. But with gold at an all-time high they come at a price. Check out emilynixon.

Even John Cleese would have to agree — not all accountants are boring 'number crunchers'. John Bolitho proves the point with his Crease Lightning (a sense of humour too!) origami packs. The principle of folding paper creatively is often thought of as nothing more than a means of keeping young children quiet for a few moments.

But just look at the website — creaselightning — and it is immediately apparent that origami is only limited by your imagination: A Blue Peter sailing ship, a credible cityscape, dinosaurs galore, monsters and, bizarrely, even a tool box! The themed starter packs with comprehensive and helpful instructions (mainly for parents) will get you going and then, perhaps, a model of a fearsome tiger's head or Tower Bridge might soon take shape.

Of course, there was much more on offer to provide a super day out for all the family. The next Living Crafts event will be held from 19-21 November (2010) — just in time to buy some of those essential Christmas presents. Check out livingcrafts. — Bonnie and Tim Stevens

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