Unique handmade gifts at Chedham's Yard Craft Fair

Chedham’s Yard craft fair in Wellesbourne on Saturday, November 14 offers original gifts and Christmas inspiration. 

Stalls will be filled with handmade products – sparkly, practical, decorative or just plain fun.

One of the highlights will be the resident woodturners with their skilfully turned pieces and a variety of festive creations such as tiny fir trees and miniature snowmen. As well as being able to buy ready-made gifts, visitors are welcome to bring in pieces of wood of their own to discuss how they could be turned into something new.

Volunteer Tony Bright said: "There are three of us who do the woodturning and we are all up for the challenge.  We’ll chat with people about what they would like and see what we can do. Recently we’ve made egg cups out of yew, a door wedge from a cherry tree, and an owl out of oak.  There are lots of possibilities and whatever we make will be unique."

Other stalls will also offer ‘new from old’ creations including patchwork gifts and decorations, up-cycled cards and stocking-filler toys and games. The toys, made by volunteer Margaret Taylor out of bits and pieces that are usually thrown away, were introduced over the summer and proved popular. Margaret says: ‘I love to see the children’s faces as they try out the games, master the marble maze, win at fabric mice noughts and crosses, or hear a triumphant yell of success with the traditional cup and ball game. I also like to hear the parents’ and grandparents’ memories of their own battery-free toys!’

Visiting crafters will bring knitted and fabric goods, watercolours and jewellery. Among them will be Pam and Andy Kallender’s fused glass pendants, bracelets, cufflinks, earrings and more.  Their shimmering jewellery is created using a technique originally developed for spacecraft windscreens. Andy and Pam started their business, The Glass Barge, when living aboard narrow boats, but have recently moved their studio onto dry land. 

All the crafters will be happy to talk to visitors about their work and may even inspire them to have a go themselves.

Alongside the craft fair, there will be a café serving light refreshments, tours of the old wheelwright’s workshops and the chance to see blacksmiths at work in the forge.

Chedham’s Yard will be open from 11am to 4pm, with free entry. Last entry is at 3pm.

More details on www.chedhamsyard.org.uk