'Twas the night before Made in Clerkenwell...

The CC windows are dressed for a black and white Christmas and we're nearly ready to open our doors for Made in Clerkenwell: Winter Open Studios tomorrow... 

 Join 120 designer makers for the ultimate shopping treat and a festive drink from 5pm on Thursday 22 Nov and throughout the weekend. Find out more and plan your visit here.

Who are you looking forward to seeing this week at Made in Clerkenwell?

As Craft Central’s intern for the past 2 and a half months, I have had the pleasure of having a ‘behind the scenes’ look at the upcoming Made in Clerkenwell winter open studios.

With now over 118 confirmed designer-makers preparing to showcase their work, there is never a dull moment at the Craft Central office. With a constant influx of ceramics, glassware, cake stands, fashion accessories, and interior products, I've been given a wonderful taste of what can be expected at the event this week.

As we are counting down the final days leading up to Made in Clerkenwell, I've made a countdown of my own to share my anticipation. Have a look at which designer-makers I am excited to see this week at Made in Clerkenwell!

Carly’s Top 5 Fashion/Jewellery Picks:

5. Frilly by Lilly- cute hand assembled jewellery using reclaimed vintage bits and bobs

4. Black Cactus- hand printed materials and bespoke bag construction

3. OUTSIDER- fashionable ethical clothing

2. Sarah Stafford- eye-catching jewellery made from 18ct gold and platinum set with glittering diamonds and other precious stones

1. Katherine Elizabeth- beautiful hand-made millinery 

Carly’s Top 5 Interior Products Picks: 

5. DesignK- quirky interior products made for design lovers

4. EstherCoombs- striking homeware through illustrating discarded ceramics

3. Michelle Mason- bold and beautiful contemporary interior and giftware products

2. Goodwin + Goodwin- interior products with a graphic twist

1. Makiko Nakamura- narrative and fantastical ceramics

Now you know what I am excited for… Who are you looking forward to seeing? 

Come check it all out this week, 22-25 November at Made in Clerkenwell!

Carly Schwartz

Promotions and Sponsorship Intern

With 2 buildings and 120 designers, we're all set to open our studios next week!

It's that time of year again! The nights are drawing in and the Christmas shopping urges are upon us... well, I'm afraid we can't do anything about 4pm nightfall, but we can help you get creative with those present wish lists at Made in Clerkenwell next week (22-25 Nov). Check out just a handful of the craft and design goodies we have on offer from almost 120 designer makers...

Made in Clerkenwell exhibitors announced!

It's ready! Check out our handy Made in Clerkenwell Guide, listing almost 120 designer makers who will be selling their work at Craft Central next week (22-25 Nov 2012). Start planning your route around the studios now...

Craft Central opens the doors to its two fascinating Victorian buildings with the much anticipated bi-annual event Made in Clerkenwell . Start your visit in Clerkenwell Green and then find St John’s Square just 2 minutes away. Go ‘behind the scenes’ and explore the workshops of our renowned design community.  Whether you’ve got an hour or a whole day, mingle with the makers in the studios where they work their magic. One ticket allows unlimited access over 4 days, including Thursday’s launch event and Friday’s late night shopping.

Avoid the high street this Christmas and opt for handmade! Pick up jewellery, fashion, interior products, ceramics, accessories and traditional crafts by 100+ selected UK designers. Choose a gift, commission a unique piece, find a bespoke design service or just browse... this shopping treat is topped off by meeting the maker. Find out more and plan your visit here

A big Thank You!

With Made in Clerkenwell: Winter Open Studios just around the corner, we would like to extend our thanks to our wonderful sponsors and media partners for their generous support. We couldn't do it without you guys!

We're talking about... The Art of the Creative Entrepreneur

We're excited to welcome Dianne Cottle, photographer and author of The Art of the Creative Entrepreneur - a new book showcasing the work of 17 talented female entrepreneurs through a unique collection of over 180 photographs and interviews. These include Craft Central makers, ceramicist Janet Stahelin Edmondson and silversmith Alex Ramsay - both of whom you can meet at Made in Clerkenwell: Winter Open Studios (22-25 Nov 20120).

Join Dianne at Craft Central for her lunchtime talk on 7 Dec as she discusses the content of the first book in the The Art of the Creative Entrepreneur series. Volume 1 features designers working in creative industries ranging from fashion and beauty to food, art and design. With entrepreneurship among women on the rise, Dianne Cottle has captured the passion and dedication of each entrepreneur through her striking collection of photographs: ‘My goal was to showcase some of the outstanding work created by female entrepreneurs today, while providing inspiration for women who have dreamed of running their own business in a creative industry to make that dream a reality.’ Find out more and book online here

It's a black and white Christmas at CC this year

We're looking forward to a black and white Christmas at CC this year, thanks to our wonderful monochrome design from Phage! Meet graphic designers, Danny and Tasha, in their studio at Made in Clerkenwell (22-25 Nov 2012).

Selvedge Winter Fair This Saturday 10 November!

Our designer makers at Craft Central have been busy! Along with the preparations for our much anticipated Made in Clerkenwell: Winter Open Studios coming up 22-25 November, many of our designer makers are exhibiting at the Selvedge Winter Fair this Saturday 10 November!

Taking place at the beautiful Chelsea Town Hall, the Selvedge Winter Fair will offer a friendly atmosphere filled with 100 stands of antique textiles, talented designer makers, and beautiful haberdashery. With the Christmas lights already up and shining around the city, picture this as an opportunity to pick up that perfect gift for the holidays!

Be sure to say Hello to the Craft Central designer makers at the Selvedge Winter Fair including; Abigail Brown, Deryn Relph, Ekta Kaul, Emma Bradbury, Helen Steel Design, Sally Weatherill, Thornback & Peel, and Entanglewood, who will be joining us at Made in Clerkenwell too!

The Selvedge Winter Fair is taking place this Saturday 10 November 2012 at Chelsea Town Hall, King’s Road, London, SW3 5EE. It is open to the public from 10am-4pm. Admission is £5. Check out the Selvedge website for other Exhibitors and more information.

We launch our online shop!

You can now buy specially selected contemporary craft and design from Craft Central's new online shop... and just in time for Christmas shopping! (Aren't we good to you?!) We have chosen the cream of the crop from our Network membership of 650 designer makers - we'll be growing our collection, but here's a little taste of what's currently available for you to browse and buy... 

Ceramics by Jo Davies, Takae Mizutani, Janet Stahelin Edmonson and Ikuko Iwamoto -

Jewellery by Sarah Herriot and Oxx -

Interior products by Ali Miller, Susan Bradley and Michelle Mason - 

Prints by Bronagh Kennedy -

Find out more and start shopping here

Save the date! Craft Central Gets Hitched 2013

 

Following the success of our handmade wedding fair in 2011 and 2012, Craft Central Gets Hitched is all set for 2013. We love our new design for the posters and invitations - thank you to the graphic design team at WeMakeWebsites!

Grab those diaries and pencil in 21-24 March. We are busy planning the show and more details will be coming soon! Why not join our mailing list to be kept in the loop?

In the mean time, we're 'popping up' at Zoe Lem's Vintage Wedding Fair in Clerkenwell on 28 Oct 2012. We have teamed up with celebrity stylist, Zoe Lem, to bring you a selection of Craft Central designers making 'all things wedding' at her vintage show. Zoe Lem’s Vintage Wedding Fair returns with ‘new collaborations, even more exhibitors, experiences and workshops’… that’s where we come in!

Katherine Elizabeth Millinery crowned Best Fashion Retailer of The Year 2012!

Congratulations are in order for Craft Central milliner, Katherine Elizabeth who has won Best London Fashion Retailer of The Year 2012 at the London Life Style Awards.

Katherine says...
'We are delighted to announce that we have been awarded ‘Best London Fashion Retailer of the Year’ at this year’s annual London Lifestyle Awards at the Hurlingham Club in Fulham. Our millinery would like to say a HUGE ‘thank you’ to everybody who kindly voted for us- without all of you we would not have got this far. This year 4,127 businesses and personalities vied for one of the prestigious awards so this recognition is truly exciting!'

Come and meet award winning Katherine and her hats in her studio at Craft Central during Made in Clerkenwell (22-25 Nov)!

Get making this winter at CC! Halloween printmaking and much more...

Our jam packed programme of CIY making workshops is not to be missed at the bargain price of only £19.99 per session (including materials, wine and expert tuition!)

Anyone can have a go, with our enjoyable CIY: Craft It Yourself workshops. Learn from a pro and get making… No experience required! Whether you’re already an expert, or fancy trying something new, come and satisfy your crafty urges.

Try your hand at millinery, printmaking or making a Christmas stocking this winter... available to book online now. Don't be shy! Get started with CIY: Printing on Wednesday 31 Oct (6-8pm).

Christmas is coming – is your online shop ready? Supa Dupa are here to help!

Want to know more about eCommerce? Interested in finding out how to start and promote your own online boutique? Keen to make the most of your existing online shop? Supa Dupa - the Boutique eCommerce platform for creatives - can answer your questions!

Find out more and book online for a live workshop on 12 Nov at Craft Central (cost only £6). Taking 10 years of insider industry tips and condense them into 60 minutes, Supa Dupa will show you everything you need to know to start selling and promoting your products online. With 10 practical action points, you could be selling online the next day!

Why not sign up for a full day of training with our E COMMERCE DAY: All you need to know about selling online! for just £16. Read the full programme and book online here.

CC designers takeover Handmade in Britain!

It seems Craft Central designers are set to steal the show at Handmade in Britain 12: The Contemporary Crafts & Design Fair at Chelsea Old Town Hall!

From 16-18 Nov, amongst other members of the CC Network, expect to see Louise O'Neill, Namiko Murakoshi, Annie Ruthven Taggart, Daphne Krinos, Day C, Josef Koppmann, Sarah Herriot Design, Ulla Hornfeldt, Ekta Kaul and Sonia Cheadle.

Handmade in Britain say...
'We are incredibly proud to welcome some of the most innovative talent in contemporary design to this year’s show, with established designer makers exhibiting alongside talented new designers and recent graduates in what promises to be a very special weekend for visitors and designers alike.'

Download your special Craft Central ticket offer here

Are you New into Business? We can help!

On Thursday 8 & Friday 9 November 2012, we will helping designer makers develop the confidence to promote themselves, sell work and grow their business with our special New into Business: 1 Year On training programme. The two-day training programme is aimed specifically at designers in the early stage of business (at least one year after setting up) and will provide essential information needed to get your business off the ground.

You will access one full day of business skills workshops by Rachel Smart and Dan Maier and a half day interactive peer review session with an expert industry panel the following day. You will meet successful designers and business experts who will offer vital information covering all areas crucial to running a new craft and design business.

The cost for both days is highly subsidised to remain affordable and is £80. If you’re not yet a member, this includes 1 year’s free membership of the Craft Central Network (worth £42). Book online now!

Click here to download the full New into Business programme details

A wealth of knowledge at your finger tips... Discover the Crafts Council Research Library

We're delighted to collaborate with the Crafts Council to offer an exclusive tour of their Research Library on  Pentonville Road (N1 9BY) on 1 Nov. Find out why the fascinating and extensive collection is relevant to your craft business... or perhaps just feed your craft enthusiasm! Find out more and book online here.

Discover the unique collection of resources which map the development of contemporary craft, from the mid-twentieth century to the present day, covering all major disciplines from Automata to Wood.

Collecting and disseminating new and vital research relevant to contemporary craft practice, the Crafts Council Research Library provides access to resources that help make sense of the practical side of running a creative business.

The latest training programme is up and running at CC

We’re here to help! Craft Central offers practical and insightful professional development training for designer makers.

The latest In Business Bulletin is ready! Here’s another jam-packed quarterly programme of professional development training. You’ll find relevant business advice delivered by expert consultants, industry professionals and experienced designer makers, through: group workshops, one-to-one surgeries, peer based learning labs and networking events - all at heavily subsidised prices...

Download the latest copy of the In Business Bulletin here... Follow the links to book online now!