Craft Central, moves into the Centre of Wellington

For over a year Craft Central’s been a delightful little market held monthly at Miramar School, one of those little secrets only locals know about, like Craig the Chemist who always has stickers on hand to bring a smile to kids’ faces.  But Libby and Katherine, Craft Central’s creators, had big dreams, to turn their 100% NZ made market into an Event Market, one with all the bells and whistles that has an answer to every problem shoppers have at fairs, and to create an experience that just made you happy.

This Saturday October 4th from 10am till 3pm Craft Central is coming to town at The St James Theatre in Courtney place –  for if you have Big Grand Plans why not have them at a big grand light-filled historically significant building?

For shoppers there are over 75 stalls each selling NZ-made creations. The person you shop from is the person who created what you buy, no imports, no resellers, just authentic local craft and design across a range of disciplines like ceramic artist Sarah Wigley, fashion illustrator Pixel Ink, artist Joe McMenamin, print maker The Paper Bird Society, fabric and wallpaper designer Eef and Ini, designer Alison Blaine and Auckland based crafter ZippityDooDah ,  and children’s clothing designer and maker Hikkepik.

In Libby’s words:

“No other market offers this level of talent and this range of product, from boutique fashion, ceramics, homeware, textiles, designer wallpapers, jewellery, steampunk curiosities, eco products and more, this event will delight and amaze.”

For creative types there is an abundance of activities. The Wellington Makerspace Charitable Trust will be running free stop-motion animation workshops during the day. Workshops are so central to Craft Central that upstairs an entire room is devoted to five different workshops running all day long. Aimed at bothadults and kids, they are designed to give everyone a go at making. As parents Libby and Katherine know the problems of juggling shopping and family, they wanted “parents to enjoy the event with their kids so we designed workshops that get kids crafting allowing Mum or Dad to do a special activity with the kids as well as shopping for unique and beautiful items.”

Downstairs there’s  a knit lounge where you can take your first stitches into the world of knitting, or get some help with a project your currently stuck on. Or just hang out with fellow fans of yarn and have a glass of wine or coffee from The Jimmy and work on your latest project.

Finally there are prizes, for the first 50 people through the door at 10am (when the fair starts) are free gift bags pack with treats from Craft Central Artisans, like badges from SuperVery and  earrings from Things Unseen.  Sign up for their mailing list before the fair and win $100 of Craft Cash to spend on the day, or you can enter  a raffle to win a giant basket of crafts, with all money going directly to Wellington Children’s Hospital.

And for Wellingtonista Readers, here’s something special from SuperVery, you can  win a set of these colourful birds. Just comment here with the stall you are  most excited about & we’ll draw & announce a winner on Friday.  The winner can pick their prize up at the fair on Saturday.

The fair is free to everyone so see you on Saturday at Craft Central!