The Bedford Park Festival, 12 - 27 June 2004
Images of crafts available at Fair
Images of crafts available at Fair
Images of crafts available at Fair

CRAFT FAIR 2003 REVIEW

Images of crafts available at Fair

Images of crafts available at Fair

Images of crafts available at Fair



A new Chiswick company that makes craft products and party bags for children was exhibiting at this year's Craft Fair. Petit Artisan sells innovative products based on natural materials.

On offer were a range of activity and party bags to make and paint. One enables children to make a wooden mechanical toy - a dragon or a footballer. Prices range from £3 to £15, and 30p from every bag is donated to Hope and Homes for Children, which finds foster homes for children who are victims of war and disease. Some of the bags were given away as prizes during the Green Days fete.

There were more than a dozen exhibitors at this year's Craft Fair, which forms part of the Green Days fete. There was a wide range of crafts on display and the stalls were open in the Craft Tent on the Green from 11am-6pm on Saturday 7th and 11.30-5pm on Sunday 8th.

Barbara McDowell of Twinkle produces children's painted furniture and accessories and also undertakes commissions for children's nurseries and bedrooms. Cathy Day, also on the Twinkle stand, makes children's cushions and has just won the textiles prize in a competition organised by the Victoria & Albert Museum, called "Inspired by the V&A".

New exhibitors this year included Dianne Lindner & Lauren Carew, of Naturally for You, who make handmade soaps and bath products; Victoria McKenzie of Bella Plata (handmade silver jewellery from Mexico); Katheryne Semlekan, of Wotwu Childrens Clothing; Sasha Dee, who makes handmade textile bags; Liz Riley of Love Unlimited, who creates hand painted ceramics; and Jo Merriman - traditional willow baskets.

Susan Derbyshire was back this year with her Artful Glass stall, demonstrating her stained glass work and taking commissions - as well as showing her glass panels, sculpture and jewellery. Jeremy Cuss - another regular, who lives in Chiswick - gave demonstrations of caning and showed his rush seating and french polishing. And woodturner Sam Cook from Cambridge was also back, showing his work in sustainable and temperate hardwoods, along with three other Bedford Park Festival regulars - Helen Reid from Haywards Heath, with her display of handmade beeswax candles; Anne-Marie Bruce of Bruce Upholstery; and restorer Roger Lloyd of Furniture Rescue.

Images of crafts available at Fair

Images of crafts available at Fair

Images of crafts available at Fair