Handmade Oxford 2025

12th - 14th June 2024 

What an amazing event! With over 150 artists and designers under one metaphorical roof - it was actually several huge marquees set in the beautiful setting of Waterperry Gardens. 

It felt like it was ages before I'd been called by one of the organisers to offer me my space but it was only February! I spent weeks of jewellery making, stall prep and planning but nothing could've prepared me for the heat of the weekend - 32 degrees in a marquee with no breeze was something else! However it didn't stop the visitors from flocking in! 

Planning for an event like this, especially one that you've never attended before is rather difficult however the planning and prep work I did before the event did pay off. Being able to plan my table and not overpack was a great help especially since we towed our caravan down to Oxford so we were on a weight limit... Although my planning for the event was successful, the mini-holiday was probably not the best idea! With hot temperatures in a caravan with a small child and a dog, it wasn't the easiest week we've had away! It's safe to say, we won't be repeating that fiasco!

The best part about the weekend was meeting some amazing makers and business owners from outside of my usual area. When you work on your own, it's nice to network at events and speak to others in a similar position to you - or in my case I was speaking to people who are a lot further forward in their careers so there's lots of advice to be shared! It's one of my favourite parts of doing events. 

As for the favourite pieces of jewellery -  the duo leaf and outline collection really shone! 

It was also my first event that I took my bench peg to so I could get prepped for my next event which was the week after (Great Northern Contemporary Craft and Art Fair). Lots of people stopped to watch me piercing out tiny leaves - some visitors also asking questions as I worked. I will definitely be doing more of this!