In launching her own market, Drake-Knight wanted to create something new and different. “Our events are more that a market – they are a festival of making. We have live music, workshops, refreshments, and even a pop-up hair salon. We encourage visitors to stick around, relax and enjoy the environment”.

This December, she will host Native Makers’ sixth event – a winter market taking place at Plymouth’s Ocean Studios on the 16-17 December.

In London, Sinead Koehler launched Crafty Fox – a collection of markets and creative networking events which take place in various locations throughout the year, with forthcoming events in Brixton, Peckham and Hoxton – to ‘shake up’ the traditional craft fair. She found that it was something consumers really wanted, too. “Over the past few years, shoppers have become increasingly interested in the provenance of their purchases,” says Koehler. “Markets like Crafty Fox offer a brilliant opportunity to talk directly to the maker and hear their story.”

Eclectic events

In Leeds, Carley Batley and Sean Mort worked together to launch Northern Craft – a fair that feels similarly fresh. They host a small number of themed events throughout the year, the most recent of which was a (very on-trend) pin exhibition. Next up is a more eclectic makers’ market, taking place on the 14 October, and a dedicated print fair, following a month later on the 18 November (more details for both events can be found on their website).

How craft fairs became cool