Arts and Crafts

It may seem unusual for arts and crafts to feature in farmers markets but when one considers the fact that like much of the produce at markets arts and crafts related items are usually hand made from local talent and are far more luxurious than their mass produced counterparts they actually fit perfectly in amongst the organic vegetables and hand reared meats on offer. Arts and crafts is a term used to describe a wealth of activities and hobbies that all relate to making something with your own hands using a skill or trade of some form. More traditional arts and crafts include things such as basket weaving, pottery and iron working, whilst examples of more modern arts and crafts products might be hand-made greetings cards, or bead work and jewellery making.

Many people involved in arts and crafts do what they do because they enjoy crafting and creating something with their own hands and skills that they have learned through years of practise and study, and there are a large number of people who utilise more traditional crafting methods who are keeping alive traditions that otherwise would die out. Most importantly is the ability to express yourself artistically through your craft; when creating something from scratch you can allow your imagination to run wild and create something straight from your own imagination rather than producing an endless stream of identical products.

For many shoppers this is the major appeal of arts and crafts at farmers markets; you can be certain that the item you are purchasing is totally unique and in most cases there will never be another that is exactly the same. This exclusivity is appealing for obvious reasons in an age of cheap, disposable, mass produced and identical products created by multi-national corporations. It is easy to understand why the modern arts and crafts movement has evolved to represent the finer, more luxurious things in life, and an added bonus when purchasing arts and crafts related products is that you are supporting your local economy by providing business to local tradespeople.

Alderley Edge If you want to find out more about where you can buy local produce call 01244 603 822. "Made In Cheshire" is dedicated to the promotion...

Ashton Farmers and Producers Market On the last Sunday of each month, Ashton's famous market ground hosts a Farmers' and Producers' Market. With over 70 stalls it is the biggest in the region, and new traders are booking stalls...

Aylsham Farmers Market 19-20 traders. Meat including Aberdeen Angus, organic lamb, pork, free-range chicken, ducks, sausages -veg, cakes. jam, honey, eggs,...

Bakewell Farmers Market Bakewell Farmers' Market is held at Bakewell's Agricultural Business Centre. Markets are held on the last Saturday of each and every month.Produced by the Foods from the Peak District project,,...

Bath Farmers' Market Held at Green Park Station in central Bath every Saturday. A wide variety of local produce, all goods come from under 40 miles away and sold direct by the people who produced them. Weekly,...

Birmingham Farmers' Market If you enjoy cooking with the very best ingredients, then you can't beat the fresh local produce on offer at the Birmingham Farmers' Market. As well as an array of fresh ...

Blaby Farmers' Market Agreement has been reached between Blaby District Council and Leicester City Council that secures the future of regular Farmers’ Markets held in Blaby Town...

Brigg Farmers Market The Brigg Farmers Market has been running since 2000 and is proving to be an attraction for many visitors to Brigg, North Lincolnshire who come to the market looking for speciality foods bought...

Brigg Farmers’ Market Held in the Market Place on the 4th Saturday of the Month. Offering mouth-watering sights and smells the mark is a magnet for all food lovers. With everything from smoked salmon, free range pork,...

Brighton & Hove Vegetarian Farmers Market First Sunday of the month Farmers' markets provide many environmental, social, economic and health benefits. These include: an opportunity for customers to talk to producers bringing a...

Buxton Farmers Market Buxton farmers market is one of the Peak Districts leading farmers markets. The market itself runs from 10am - 3pm on the 1st Thursday of every month.

Cambridge Art and Craft Market All Saints Garden gets its name from the church which once stood here. Nowadays, it is a delightful tree-shaded haven in the heart of historic Cambridge, just across the road from the gatehouses ...

Cambridge Sunday Market Finest produce in the Cambridge area.

Chester Farmers Market Farmers Markets encourage us to return to buying from local producers - farmers, butchers, bakers, fishmongers - not only out of nostalgia but as a way to find the best quality food and service ...

Chichester Farmers' Market Never miss another farmers' market in Chichester District by becoming a member of the new Farmers' Market club. Members of the club will receive regular emails about the upcoming markets, details...

Coads Farmers Market, Launceston A monthly event for East Cornwall near Launceston. Quality local produce including meats, bread, cakes, preserves, chutney, honey, fruit & veg and local crafts. All you need for the weekend with...

Colne Farmers' Market A farmers' market is a place where producers from a local area sell their own produce direct to the public. The goods on sale are fully traceable and, because they originate locally, you can...

Crawley Market Crawley’s markets are held in the High Street, in the paved area from the Jubilee Oak down to Ifield Road and in Queens Square. Buses run to and from the town centre all day and parking is...

Darlington Farmers Market Darlington Borough Council and its market traders welcome you to Darlington Market. We are proud of our reputation for offering good value for money and a first class service to our customers -...

Derby Farmers' Market Farmers Markets More than ever, Farmers' Markets are good for farmers, rural communities, market towns, the environment, your health and your taste buds. As usual, there are three golden rules...