The Stitch and Creative Crafts Show (aka the ultimate stash boosting shopping experience)

Imagine all your favourite craft suppliers (and many you may not have met yet) all under one roof, add some demos and workshops and throw in lots of lovely, like-minded people and what do you have? The Stitch and Creative Craft Show ! This is the third year I have attended and the change of venue from Cheltenham Racecourse to the Three Counties Showground, Malvern last year was a definite improvement with much more room for exhibitors and visitors alike.

First stop was the The Southampton Bead Shop where Alys got stuck in selecting beads for her new jewellery designs.

I wasn't supposed to be shopping for beads - I have a very respectable bead stash left over from my jewellery making days - but the magpie in me just could not ignore the strings of beautiful faceted crystal beads hanging across the back of their stand. They are sooooo pretty... some of them just had to come home with me :)

 
 
 

                          One stall caught my eye - a table full of hats and fascinators.

These all came from Janie Lashford's School of Millinery - an impressive array of pillboxes, mini top hats, fascinators and headbands. Situated near Evesham, The Millinery School runs 1,2,3 and 4 day courses covering all aspects of hat making for beginners and experienced milliners alike. Janie also teaches at City and Guilds level for those who are seriously interested in millinery as a career path.

It's something I would love to have a go at.

Maybe one day...

 

More lovely things just across the way at Debonnaire Gorgeous artisan yarns in different weights including fabulous multi coloured sock yarns and hanks of super-soft lace weight yarn that I could just imagine knitted up into a beautiful vintage style shawl...

 

Lush Lampwork had some absolutely gorgeous lampwork beads, pendants and buttons and also runs workshops from her Malvern studio.

oooops...more beads...

 

And finally, Japan is in everyone's thoughts today as we watch in horror as the tragedy Mother Nature has unleashed unfurls before our eyes thanks to 24hour news streaming.  One stall we visited Festival of Japan was showcasing a selection of traditional Japanese crafts and had a beautiful selection of Japanese Kimono silk fabric pieces and traditional folding papers available to buy. We were taken by the fabric origami boxes and bought a kit to have a go. The lady running the show, Jill, is clearly very passionate about all things Japanese and is a frequent visitor.
 I hope that her friends over there are safe and that her next visit is not  marred by sadness...