Following the success of its first outing earlier this year, TOTAL STITCH FEST:
THE ALTERNATIVE CRAFT SHOW will be returning to the Ramada Plaza Belfast this September in a big celebration of all that is handmade and unique in Northern Ireland, and it is the perfect opportunity to get a head start on Christmas shopping while supporting local designers and the Irish handmade movement at the same time.
Brought to you by the creative folks at Frock Around The Clock, TOTAL STITCH FEST brings together a community of designer-makers who lovingly cultivate a burgeoning handmade and DIY culture, and will feature a curated marketplace of around 60 crafters and artisans from all over Ireland who combine new and traditional craft techniques to produce fresh, innovative work not found at mainstream craft shows, as well as sellers of quality and unique craft supplies. There will also be various mini craft demonstrations running throughout the day, some of which will be interactive giving visitors the opportunity to ‘make and take’ a small something away with them. It is the perfect opportunity to meet the makers in person, and talk about their handmade goods and creative processes.
The craft marketplace will include suppliers of quality craft materials such as Abacus Beads, The Textile Studio, I of The Needle, Dye Candy, Windmill Fabrics and A Fine Fish Yarns as well as many designer and artisan stalls selling a wide variety of high quality, unique handmade products including clothing and fashion accessories, homewares, home décor & soft furnishings, art & photography, jewellery, gifts, toys, artisan foods, baby and children goods, and much more! Exhibitors will include Art of Memories, specialising in beautiful artwork and gifts which capture memories, Crafts by Inga, creator of colourful handmade felt and wearable art, Shannon McShane Jewellery, selling one-off conceptual jewellery designs in sterling silver inspired by the coast, Kate and Daisy, creators of beautifully designed handcrafted children’s clothing, B-Louise, specialising in crocheted fashion accessories and homewares, Colour and Cloth, with handmade designs in scarves and cushions created from naturally hand-dyed textiles, The Floral Suitcase, showcasing beautiful handcrafted quilts and cushions, Softash Wood Crafts, specialising in various crafts made from locally sourced hardwoods, and Koko Designs, architects of handpainted silk lampshades, scarves, notebooks and bags.
Creative Director Becky Moore says ‘our commitment is to showcase the best and brightest in indie craft and design so TOTAL STITCH FEST is aimed at shoppers who seek unique, niche and handmade products in opposition to mass produced items. All handcrafted products available at the Alternative Craft Show will have been made by Irish crafters, designers and artisans and with the growing interest in buying local we hope to encourage socially-minded consumers to boost the local economy by purchasing unique gifts handcrafted in their own community and by connecting with the people who made them. The event on 7th September is the perfect opportunity for visitors to make a head start on Christmas shopping, and with so much variety and quality under one roof it will be possible to find something fantastic for everyone on your gift list while supporting local business and the Irish handmade movement at the same time.’
As a nation who lament the loss of our manufacturing heritage, you know it makes sense – forget mass produced and head to TOTAL STITCH FEST for the best in local and Irish handmade products for you, your family and your home!
TOTAL STITCH FEST: THE ALTERNATIVE CRAFT SHOW will take place from 12-5pm on Sunday 7th September 2014 at Ramada Plaza, 117 Milltown Road, Shaws Bridge, Belfast BT8 7XP. Admission costs only £3. More information on the event and the exhibitor list can be found at frockaroundtheclock.com and facebook.com/frockaroundtheclockvintagefairs.