Date set for first Margate Made fair

Preparations for a Margate Made makers’ event on July 14 at Margate Adult Education Centre are underway.

Organisers Lydia Martin and Sarah Gibbon have been promoting the Margate Made event as an opportunity to isle makers who are new to selling and showing their work in public, as well as those with some experience, to provide a mix of media, skills and experience.

Sarah said: “We now have nearly 30 stalls booked from makers producing work in stone and wood, digitised textiles, ceramics, and felt to name but a few! Makers are coming from Margate and surrounding towns to showcase their work.”

Meet some of the makers

Gem Blastock

Gem is one of the local artists who will be a stall holder at the event, as well as running an activity during the day. Her work involves the traditional – pen and ink – and technology – digitising and manipulating images of her work.

She said: “My design technique starts with my camera, leading into simple black line drawings or painting with acrylic paints and inks. I layer up the colours, to create vivid images. I then digitise these images to design my patterns that will be transferred to screen to be hand-printed onto my home accessories products.”

Libby Morris

Libby from Rattycatcat makes and will be selling handmade cards, prints and sketchbooks at Margate Made.

She said: “I have been hand printing greetings cards, sketchbooks and prints from linocuts since 2012. I use my 1950s laundry mangle to reel out prints inspired by popular culture, animals and objects that I find entertaining or interesting.” She’ll also be running a workshop in linocut for children and adults.

Laurie Ralphs

Laurie runs MoMoPixie making handmade jewellery and accessories. They sell in Petticoat Lane Emporium and will be at Margate Made too.

He said: “I’m an IT Manager at a video games company. In my spare time I enjoy creating things and up cycling just about anything!”

Barry Morgan

Barry is a painter based in Faversham. He will be selling original framed paintings of Kent landscapes at the event.

He said:“Now I’m semi-retired I have the opportunity to paint again. All paintings are done on site (even in fog and snow!) to give an atmospheric impression of the day. I just enjoy producing small affordable paintings.”

Taster sessions

As well as hosting the event the Adult Education centre is offering free, one hour taster sessions in life drawing, watercolour and mixed media. Some of their teachers and students will also be selling their work in the market.

Sarah added: “We are hoping people will enjoy what’s on offer and stay a while, soak up the atmosphere of the market, talk to local creative people about their work and inspirations, discover some unique pieces of art that is affordable and locally made and get inspired enough to try some creative activities on offer. The cafe will be open all day serving a range of healthy and delicious food and drinks.

“Now with a month to go until the big day we are using eye-catching posters to get the word out about the event around Margate. We have had a fantastic response from local shopkeepers and venues showing their support for the event by helping us promote Margate Made through displaying the posters.

“The online community on Facebook is growing with people connecting and getting involved in preparations. To join us just search Margate Made on Facebook.

“Work will be starting on our website with features on the stall holders and those running activities, plus instructions on how to book onto activities -avoid disappointment and book early!”

Find the website at www.margatemade.blog

Volunteer

There are opportunities for people who would like to volunteer in the run up to the event and on the day.

Lydia said: “Our hope is to make this a real community event with everyone mucking in. Even if you aren’t a creative person yourself come and support art and making in your town. Get in touch with us if you have skills to share or want to gain some experience by helping us.”