Crafters and artisans from Spalding, Freiston, Horncastle, Woodhall Spa among the Lincolnshire sellers to take part in Makers Market
Crafters and artisans from across the county will be showcasing their homemade products when the Lincolnshire Makers Market returns to Spalding on Saturday (May 4).
The event at The Sessions House, in Sheep Market, runs from 10am to 4pm, when visitors will be able to browse more than 45 specially curated stalls, selling items all produced right here in Lincolnshire, alongside artisan and street food.
LincsOnline has been speaking to some of the producers, crafters and makers ahead of the free to enter event, to find out more about their work and the inspiration behind it.
The Foxglove Tree, Horncastle
Clare Towers began making botanical casts during lockdown and now sells a range of beautiful panels, decorative fragrance diffusers and more, which are made using the plants growing in her own garden.
Clare, who lives near Horncastle, has always loved art and 3D crafting but says she had a real Eureka! moment back in 2020 when she combined her passion for the outdoors with her artwork.
“It’s actually things like weeds and brambles which work best for casting and dandelion clocks due to the detail,” explains Clare. “I have to cast fresh plants, if they’ve been dried, they just crumble to dust.
“I press them into clay, then carefully remove the plant – this involves lots of tweezers, magnify glasses and a steady hand. I’m left with a mould, which I pour plaster on to. When it’s dry I remove it and am I’m left with a detailed 3D cast.”
Clare’s most popular product is a small cast complete with a bottle of oil, which she sells as a sustainable fragrance diffuser.
Her work is also available to buy online, at craft fairs and in a variety of stockists nationwide and she has just been approved to supply the National Trust. She is open to bespoke commissions too and uses her casting technique to preserve items such as wedding bouquets.
For more information go to www.thefoxglovetree.co.uk
Nova Macarons, Woodhall Spa
‘Chunky, decadent and filled with lots of fun flavours’ is how Anna Keegan describes her mouthwatering macarons, which come in two sizes as well as multiple flavours and designs.
She launched Nova Macarons in 2019 after moving back to Woodhall Spa from Manchester and has seen her venture go from strength to strength. As well as macarons, Anna also makes cakesickles – large chocolate covered cake pops - celebration cakes, macaron towers and wedding favours.
“I had quite a dull job and started baking as a hobby. At first I made cakes and then I saw macarons on Instagram and decided to give them a go,” Anna recalls. “They’re quite tricky, and I failed multiple times, but finally I made some good ones. I started selling them by post and then attended a few markets, until Covid put paid to that.
“I’ve been doing more events since 2022 – they’re great, I love the customer interaction, and I need that, especially when I’ve been in the kitchen on my own all day.”
Anna will be selling a variety of flavours of her small and jumbo macarons at the market, with the larger ones themed to the spring season, including butterfly, daisy and bumblebee designs.
“I love being my own boss,” she added. “Even on the days when I’ve done 14 hours of hard work, the satisfaction you get from attending a market, where everyone is so lovely is great. I couldn’t think of doing anything else now.”
Go to www.novamacarons.com
Bearsy & Bird, Freiston, Boston
Silversmith Keri Chaplin makes ethical handmade silver jewellery under the name Bearsy & Bird.
She began her silversmithing career in 2001 as an apprentice in Colchester, Essex, and launched her own business when she relocated to Lincolnshire three years ago.
Keri, of Freiston, makes the majority of her pieces – including rings, necklaces, bangles, bracelets and earrings - with 100 per cent recycled silver bullion but also uses gold too.
“After completing my three-year apprenticeship I stayed with the same small business until the owner retired,” explains Keri, who previously considered a career as a make-up artist before finding her passion for silversmithing. “My mum always wanted me to start my own business, so when I moved to Lincolnshire for a fresh start, the time seemed right.
“Mum died three years ago, and that’s where the name Bearsy & Bird comes from - Bearsy was her nickname for me, and I used to call her Bird.
“My inspiration comes from all around and when I’m out and about. A lot of my work is inspired by nature – some of my most popular pieces feature bumblebees, wrens and sparrows. I love attending the makers markets, it’s great meeting and chatting to people.”
Keri also takes on bespoke commissions and repairs. As well as markets her work is also available to buy through her website: www.bearsyandbird.co.uk
Wicked Temper, Spalding
Chef Niall Holland was inspired to start making his own chocolates by his mum Louise when he found himself furloughed during lockdown.
Niall, who lives in Spalding, enjoyed experimenting with different flavours and styles and soon Wicked Temper was founded in 2021.
“I’ve always enjoyed the dessert and patisserie side of things, and particularly chocolate. I funded myself through a course at Ashburton Chefs Academy in Devon,” say Niall, who is a chef at The Bluebell, in Glinton. “We use Belgian chocolate, the freshest ingredients – it’s a premium, handmade product and you can tell that in the taste.”
Niall initially sold his sweet treats on Etsy, but now has his own website and attends up to ten markets a year, helped by his parents, Louise and Mark.
The Wicked Temper range features two boxes of chocolates; one containing blackcurrant, blueberry, lime, strawberry and mango treats – while the second is more traditional with caramel and ginger flavours. Niall’s decadent bars come in 18 flavours including hazelnut, strawberry and raspberry and ruby chocolate, pistachio and raspberry. He also sells hot chocolate too.
“I really enjoy it, maybe one day it will become my full-time job, but I’m only 24 and with still living at home, it’s not really feasible,” he added. “I think I’m done experimenting with new flavours for a while though – I know it’s hard to believe, but sometimes eating so much chocolate can be a chore!”
For more go to: www.wickedtemper.co.uk
* Other makers due to attend include Floating Flowers, with pressed flower and resin creations, That Woofin Dog with accessories for pooches, Cakes for Chocholics, Prints by Milly and many more.
Street food by Silly Boi UK, of Stamford, locally roasted coffee from Jackalope Joe Coffee Co and Lincolnshire churned ice-cream from Tuckers Ice Cream will also be available. Visitors will also enjoy live music and lawn games. For more information on the event visit www.lincolnshiremakers.co.uk
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