The Kirstie Allsop way
You have to hand it to her, she is a money making machine and it is because of her passion, drive and status, that she has managed to launch craft into our homes on a frightening scale. Her long awaited Handmade Fair finally made it to Hampton Court last summer in 2014, and she is set to be back again this year in September. I urge you to go, take it all in, and watch as many of the demonstrations as possible. It is an eye opener to say the least
Last year, I was lucky enough to be offered tickets to attend the Handmade Fair by Kirstie Allsopp at Hampton Court. It was her first fair on this scale and its set to start a trend of annual pilgrimages in the same vein. It is high end craft, but don’t be fooled by this lovely, voluptuous creature zipping around the show in her golf caddy playing the darling hostess.
This is a serious business here and behind the scenes, future crafty pitchers need to be prepared for hard graft. For starters, the fees for pitching up and kipping over the long weekend in a local hotel is going to set you back. This is the posh end where Surrey meets London and there isn’t a Premier Inn to be seen for miles (apart from the one in Chessington but that’s expect to fill up to book early.) For a well-oiled plan of determination to work smoothly, set aside at least £1000 for travel and stoppage for the long weekend (three nights away.) But it’s not all give give, give, there is the private party on the Saturday night to look forward to, where you will receive a firm hand shake (possibly from the lady herself) and a glass of Asti. It’s also a good chance to network a bit and have a good old gossip with the fellow tradies.
Over all, it’s an experience, and an atmospheric one that I stress, attending pitchers should milk for all it’s worth ever more after. Plaster it all over your merchandise, website and marketing material for all eternity – that ‘I traded at Kirstie Allsopp’s HM Fair!’ sticker. If you are lucky to get ‘THE call’ from the KA team prior to the event asking if you would fill up a corner of a tent for them, then go for it. By the Tuesday after, you will be thoroughly exhausted, possibly broke, yet you will enjoy the fact that it’s an event where women and girls can get together, have a lot of laughs and fun without having to think of the men. It’s exhilaratingly worth it and at least, it will give you something to talk about on all your social media platforms for ever more.
Magazine / April, 2013 5
TVB 4