British Craft Trade Fair
 
JUNE 2019
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Dear Buyer
 
Welcome to our June Newsletter
 
It's been a few months since BCTF 2019 and the dust has finally settled, hundreds of rebooks came in during the fair and many more since, making this spring our busiest since the recession.
 
A 24% increase in buyer numbers saw hundreds of makers writing good orders and many have already received reorders.
 
British-made products are in demand and we know that what we offer is high-end British crafts from reliable makers, to whom we give totally free business mentoring and PR support to help ensure their success.
 
This is the time to shout about supporting British based companies, and there is nowhere better for you to discover them than at BCTF, the largest fair dedicated to makers and designers creating amazing collection right here in the UK. BCTF is a one stop shop for buyers wanting something original and handmade with love and creativity.
 
An easy reach from the centre of Harrogate and free parking onsite just a few paces from the entrance makes visiting BCTF hassle free and a pleasure from start to finish.
 
The introduction of a retail day has been received enthusiastically by both makers and buyers. This incentive will help makers financially as it generally requires 3 years to establish themselves with trade buyers, making it hard for start-ups to invest in the trade route. The retail day will enable makers to make a return on their first showing at BCTF allowing them to reinvest in their future trade journey. More new companies offering trade means more choice for you, the buyer, and in a rapidly changing retail environment this can only be a good thing.
 
We believe that raising public awareness of exhibitor products, including those stocked in the local area, will increase footfall to Yorkshire-based galleries. Demand outstrips supply so makers promoting the shops stocking their work locally will encourage future sales through that stockist.
 

FEATURED ARTISTS

 
Araminta Fogden
 
Araminta really loves to draw and paint, to be creative, make mess and design. 

Animals are her primary inspiration, with their wild energy, their fantastic colours, lines and patterns. Araminta is drawn to rich, warm bold colours and very much enjoys using gold leaf. 

To help sell her artwork to a good cross section of customers, she uses her designs to make functional items, and tries to have something for each price bracket. 

Araminta is a member of Tewkesbury's Project Alleycat, running workshops and painting murals. 

She runs workshops from home, and at THE ROSES THEATRE, Tewkesbury & is always out and about at events, fairs and markets, selling her work.
To see more of Araminta's work, visit her on stand P33 at BCTF 2020, or visit her BCTF Online page.

 
Yellow Room Designs
 
Embodying the Yorkshire spirit, these striking ceramic coasters are tough enough to take on even the hottest cup of tea, and as beautiful and diverse as Yorkshire's unspoilt countryside and urban cityscapes. 

Artist, Tessa Townsend, uses ceramic bases with cork backing, decoupaged with vibrant contemporary prints, to create her chunky coasters. 

Tessa started creating in her sunny yellow kitchen when she couldn't find coasters she liked on the high street, and her hobby quickly became a business. Tessa now has her own studio, Yellow Room Designs, and sells her designs on Etsy, at markets, in local galleries and gift stores, collaborating with other artists to create modern, eye-catching designs. 

Tessa is inspired by bold colour, geometrics, and mid-century modern design, recognising the desire for statement ceramics in the modern home.
To see more of Tessa's work, visit her on stand P18 at BCTF 2020, or visit her BCTF Online page.

 
Sandra Vick Ltd
 
Sandra was 2019 ACID winner at BCTF2019. She graduated from Edinburgh College of Art with BA and MFA Painting.
 
Her studio is based just outside Edinburgh - perfectly placed for enjoying the countryside and the contemporary nature of city life. Sandra Vick combines these influences in her artwork to bring stylish and contemporary design to items that would look good in any home.

At BCTF2020 she will display paintings and products. Every one of Sandra Vick Ltd designs is drawn from original paintings of birds seen in our gardens, woodlands and coast. Each painting is the result of observation and drawing of the birds in their habitat. Each bird is meticulously rendered to accurately represent birds so that they can be identified from just the memory of movements and their silhouette.
To see more of Sandra's work, visit her on stand 103 at BCTF 2020, or visit her BCTF Online page.