Anniversary Inspiration

Chorley Contemporary Crafters had a fabulicious day out on Saturday which coincided nicely with our 1 year anniversary (read the story here).  The day had been booked and organised way back in the Summer when October seemed so far away, however, before we knew it we were shivering our socks off at 9am outside the community centre ready for the bus to take us to the Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair at Spinningfields, Manchester, followed by lunch and on to the Manchester Craft and Design Centre plus a stock up stop at a craft suppliers.

After a minor ‘to do’ about who was sitting with who (ladies you know who you are!) we settled in with our plastic champagne flutes containing white wine spritzers (money saved for much more necessary crafty purchases) and looked forward to a busy crafty day.

First stop The Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair http://www.greatnorthernevents.co.uk/

Some stall holders were happy to pose for pics, others hid behind their wares, some refused pics but here are the ones I managed to take (with permission of course).  We collected business cards aplenty and promised to ‘like’ many on facebook – that ever expanding social network.

Stop 2 Carluccio’s http://www.carluccios.com
Lovely tasty food and very reasonably priced especially if you have the set menu.  We were a massive table right in the middle of the restaurant 18 of us in all.  Pics were taken, but not by me so they have come out rather nice one of which I am in – always a bonus!

Next stop Manchester Craft and Design Centre  http://www.craftanddesign.com/

Just like us but 18 years on, I think I heard someone say.  They are a collaboration of crafters who started out attending local table top craft fairs and eventually moved on to finding and fitting out this gorgeous building in Manchester’s Northern Quarter.  There is great hope for our future.  I personally came away totally inspired with a burning desire to start work on the 10 year plan.

This lovely lady met us at the Great Northern Craft Fair
with very cheerful baby in a carrier, while she covered her shift at their stall.

Last stop Fred Aldous http://www.fredaldous.co.uk  (which I had been pronouncing wrong all day)

A short walk from the Craft and Design Centre is this craft supplier where many of us stocked up, now inspired to get crafting.

And with that I’m off to get a bit of painting done. x