It’s been a busy few weeks lately at PepperPot, I’ve been really enjoying branching out into making a new range of dolls. I’ve also been spending my weekends at handmade markets. A few weeks ago I visited Crafty Vintage at Bowland Brewery’s Holmes Mill in Clitheroe. I love Crafty Vintage events – always in brilliant venues with amazing handmade and vintage products and delicious food. I haven’t been to Bowland Brewery before but I will be going back in the future. It’s a stunning venue for a restaurant and we were able to get a table afterwards for some fab burgers.

The handmade stalls at Crafty Vintage were brilliant as ever. I didn’t manage to get photos of everything on show there, but here is a selection. Sellers includied jewellery from HandmadebyEmma, home fragrance from TheThomasColes.  There were homewares from TillyandSage &  Lottie&Bea. Not forgetting sparkly baubles (my photo doesn’t do them justice!) from 7lemons and loads more beside.

You can find out more about Crafty Vintage events at www.craftyvintage.com.

I was going to write this blog when I came home from Clitheroe, but I was busy making products for my next handmade market the week after. I really enjoyed being part of the first St Anne’s handmade market by MWLevents. I’ve never visited Lytham St Anne’s before. The venue was right by the promenade so I got to have a little walk along the sea front. Thank you to all the lovely beach hut residents who let me interrupt their day to talk about the market!

MWL Events run handmade markets in venues around the North West. Like Crafty Vintage they are full of talented sellers. I have sold at their Chorley Handmade Market in the past.

I managed to get a few pictures of the day in between talking to customers. Sellers including wood art from TheCraftyChap, delicious chocolates from Lloyd’sChocolatier. Handmade soaps from Ma’sBars, typewriter arts from OiDoris, gifts from MoominDesigns. Pictures from MWLDesigns and JRHayesDraws – the list goes on…

And of course I had my own stall too 😊

It was interesting to meet visitors to the market. So many people were so impressed by what was on offer and  the standard of all the products. Crafty Vintage is well established and many of its visitors are regulars who know what a fab event they will be going to. St Anne’s handmade market brought something new to the area and I think people were surprised by what they found. There are more markets coming there later in the year – you can find details of all MWLevents markets at www.twitter.com/MWLevents.
One thing both proved is that handmade is best. So go and find the next market near you, it’s so much better to shop local and buy things made with love that aren’t just mass produced.