A moment to say thank you to all those who kept in contact, continued to remember their loved ones and treat them to little surprises and it has to be some big surprises through lockdown after lockdown. Also to those who just sent words of encouragment and wisdom when the days got a little darker.  There were times when my studio looked a little sad as there was little noise or activity in it.  

The good news is that the shows, particularly the outdoor ones are getting in gear and that normal service will resume one way or another.

Below is a list of shows that I am booked into and these are being added to all the time.  Some are "in the flesh" ones and some are digital ones and some are still to be confirmed (TBC). 

If there is something that I have learnt over the past year is that "vitual" does not mean second best.  Facetime or Zoom meetings are easy to arrange and make buying more fun than just looking at a photograph.

So for the shows - follow the links for advanced tickets and more info

June 10 -13th, 9.30am - 5.00pm daily (TBC)

Contemporary Craft & Design Fair - Trentham Gardens, Staffordshire 

Trentham Gardens

June 17th - 20th

Royal Highland Show - Edinburgh, Scotland

Advanced booking only for this show 

Royal Highland show

July 1st - 4th, 9.30am - 5.30pm daily

Spring Homes & Garden Open-Air Fair at Sudeley Castle,Winchcombe, Glos.

Pre registration needed before the event

Sudeley Castle

July 16th - 18th (TBC)

Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair Online

September 2nd - 5th

Burghley Horse Trials - Stamford, Lincs

Burghley Horse Trials

October 8th - 10th (TBC)

Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair, Manchester

October 27th - 30th, 9.30am - 5.00pm daily 

Christmas Gift & Fashion Fair - Cheltenham Racecourse, Glos

Christmas Gift Fair

November 20th - 21st (TBC)

Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair Online Christmas edition 

November 25th - 28th

Burghley Christmas Fair, Stamford, Lincs

Hope to see you soon

x

My diary for 2015 is filling up fast and I thought you would like to know where I shall be, so........

April

Little Northern Contemporary Craft Fair Sunday 27th April 2014 at Altrincham Grammar School for Boys Opening times: 10am-5pm Entrance fee: £3 on door.

Over 40 artists, designers and makers will be selling a range of beautiful high quality work including ceramics, jewellery, glass, interior textiles and fashion accessories, wood, print-making etc.

To know more follow the link Little Northern Contemporary Craft Fair

Facebook: Little Northern Contemporary Craft Fair

Twitter: @GNCCF

Tumblr: lnccf

 May

Simply Cheshire Fair

Annakin is exhibiting at the  fabulous new Spring shopping fair, Simply Cheshire is taking place on Friday May 22^nd and Saturday May 23^rd 2015 at the magnificent Arley Hall and Gardens near Northwich.

Simply Cheshire will be showcasing Cheshire’s most talented, independent designers, artists and producers who are either from or whose business is based within the County.  Each of the 80 or so exhibitors, including me, Annakin Silver,  have been handpicked and selected not only because of their Cheshire connection but because they produce or sell something totally original and absolutely gorgeous.

To find out more follow the link Simply Cheshire

Facebook : Simply Cheshire.

Twitter : @simplycheshire                

Instagram: simplycheshire

Manchester Fashion Week

A new event for Manchester at The Place Aparthotel, Manchester M1 every evening from 5.00pm 26th May to 28th May

From the award winning team behind The Childsplay Clothing Liverpool Fashion Week, bring you the long anticipated Childsplay Clothing Manchester Fashion Week.  Annakin Silver is involved in the thisladyloves exhibition.

for more information follow the link  Manchester Fashion Week

Twitter : @manchesterfw

June

An arts trail set in an AONB on the Cumbrian coast, Silverdale and Arnside host this prestigious event showcasing 80 artists in 32 venues. 

Friday 26th June 1pm – 8pm
Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th June 10:30am – 5:30pm

I shall be in Venue 10, Silverdale Hotel, LA5 0TP and for further information please follow the link

Silverdale Arts Trail  come and have a lovely day out, have a great walk while shopping for beautiful jewellery...... need any more convincing?

Facebook: Silverdale Arts Trail

Twitter: @SAAC_Trail

 July

CLA Game Fair -  Harewood House 31st July - 2nd August

Set in the stunning landscape of Yorkshire, join the celebration of the great British countryside and with the help of Rural Crafts I shall be exhibiting and showcasing some new collections including the  -  Leaf Circlet.

Facebook: CLA Game Fair

Twitter: @TheGameFair

August

Shrewsbury Flower Show - 14th & 15th August

A lovely family day out and a show I just love and that's not just because it is local!  To find out more follow the link Shrewsbury Flower Show

Facebook: Shrewsbury Flower Show

Twitter: @shrewflowershw

Pintrest: shrewsbury flower show

These are my shows for Autumn and Winter - details to follow 

September

Burghley Horse Trials 3rd - 6th September

October

Cheltenham Christmas Fair 29th - 31st October

November

Desire in Winchester 6th - 8th November

There is something about doing a show that is exciting but scary all at the same time and it doesn't matter if it is the first time or the tenth time you have done it.

The shows are often booked nine months ahead and the planning can start well before, even 6 months ahead. Questions such as what type of look do I want and do I need any new exhibition display to create that look? Do I have enough stock and if I don’t – well don’t just sit around, get a move on a make it. How do I get there and where do I stay if it is far from home? Have I filled in all the forms for Health and Safety, electricity supply, drop off and build up times, broadband supply and last but not least do I want lunches supplied?

The travel with early starts, long miles on the road and then the building of the stand which can mean painting, drilling, hammering, ladder work, crawling work and all round huffing and puffing.

The stress of all of this is then completely forgotten when I am on the stand busy chatting to other exhibitors exchanging news and hints on where to exhibit next year but more importantly chatting to customers about my work and looking at someone wearing something that I have created and that they “get it” - why I design what I design and why I am passionate about what I do.

Bring on 2015