Fab 50 makers go to market - but online

This weekend a special online event will showcase the work of 50 of Lancashire's talented makers, designers, producers and small businesses.
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The are certainly hopeful and they pride themselves on being glorious. But the exhibitors, ranging from jewellers to potters and artists, at Lancashire s Hopeful and Glorious events are not yet able to sell their wares face to face direct to the public.

Instead, from 5pm on Friday, through Saturday and Sunday April 16 and 17, they will be taking part in a Spring Fair Online.

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It follows Hopeful and Glorious's successful online Winter Fair. Organiser Heather Chapman from Garstang explained that the time was not yet right to host a face to face fair. Instead they are asking makers to set up stalls at home and film them, as part of the online market event.

Heather Chapman of Hopeful and GloriousHeather Chapman of Hopeful and Glorious
Heather Chapman of Hopeful and Glorious

She said: “With the online fair we want to try and create the best event we can both for our makers and our customers.We’d usually have the buzz of setting up, talking with makers - meeting some for the first time and welcoming others back so we’re encouraging our makers to set up a stall at home and film it.

"We’ll be having demonstrations and workshops from some of our makers and we want to create the two days to be a celebration of making and not just selling. With the popularity of television shows such as The Great British Sewing Bee and The Great Pottery Throwdown there has never been so much interest in handmade and our maker films will share a glimpse of how products are made and the inspiration behind them.”

Heather said she, in common with other people, might venture out shopping for a haircut and new shoes, but otherwise would be waiting a little longer to shop directly for other goods . She said: "It's just going to take a little bit longer I think for people to get used to the idea of shopping in a different way and socially distanced shopping."

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She added: "For the last six years Hopeful and Glorious have hosted events across Lancashire with many of the county’s best creatives taking part. Many of the creatives will be offering great extras such as free gift wrapping, free postage and exclusive discounts. So, at a time when it’s not easy to get out, it’s a perfect way to shop for unique, locally made gifts and treats."

Diana Morrison Designs from Blackpool will be taking part in the virtual fairDiana Morrison Designs from Blackpool will be taking part in the virtual fair
Diana Morrison Designs from Blackpool will be taking part in the virtual fair

Heather said they hope to resume face to face events later this year and would also retain a digital presence. Hopeful and Glorious also organise the Makers Market for the annual National Festival of Making in Blackburn. She said all their events aim to showcase makers from the region and celebrate the talents of local creatives.

Those exhibiting this weekend include Silver 4 Ever and Atlas Interiors from Lancaster, Elfin Alchemy Jewellery and Seaquink Designs from Chorley, Pip Cottage Basketry from Oswaldwistle, Rae, Fern & Hope Interiors from Colne, the Gawthorpe Textile Collection, Diana Morrison Designs from Blackpool and Making Memories from Poulton le Fylde.

Hopeful and Glorious started in 2014 starting with a Winter Art Fair at Lytham Hall which had, until the pandemic, become an annual event.

To access the Fair see hopefulandglorious.co.uk

Samantha Taylor from Elfin Alchemy, Chorley,  will be among those taking part in the Hopeful and Glorious event.Samantha Taylor from Elfin Alchemy, Chorley,  will be among those taking part in the Hopeful and Glorious event.
Samantha Taylor from Elfin Alchemy, Chorley, will be among those taking part in the Hopeful and Glorious event.
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For our report on the Hopeful and Glorious Winter online Fair see here* The Lancashire Post is more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription to support our journalism. For unlimited access to Lancashire news and information online, you can subscribe here.

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