Festive Christmas Market

Busy, busy, busy preparing for the next Ilkley Arts Market and I'm thinking FESTIVE! 

I've got the Christmas tree, got to get the decorations now and decide on a colour theme. Red and white? Green and gold? Scandinavian? Traditional? Contemporary? so many decisions to make here. I've already got the paper chains - lovely spotty retro looking ones that I bought from Gifts From Handpicked.

Next decision - where do I get a Christmas hamper from? Or do I make one? This is our free competition giveaway as all visitors will have a chance to win if they enter the Best Dressed Stall competition. It's simples - all they need to do is to select a stall that they believe has the best Christmas display. The entries will all be put into a hat and the winner will be drawn after the fair. The best dressed stall will get a free table at one of our 2011 arts markets.  Genius, yes?


Finally, the most difficult part - getting a choir to come and sing. We can't afford to pay but we can make a donation to the choir or to a charity of their choice. I'm still on with that task so fingers crossed (or I might just make my colleague come and sing ;0D )


Let's hope it doesn't rain (a sprinkling of snow would be nice) and that plenty of people flock to the Ilkley Arts Market on Saturday 11 December at Riddings Hall, Christchurch, Riddings Road, The Grove, Ilkley LS29 9LW. 10am to 4pm. Entrance FREE!

Your Chance to Win.....

a traditional Christmas Hamper (similar to the one shown here) at our Christmas Arts Market on Saturday 11 December!

We are holding a free entry competition at our next arts market and we are inviting all visitors to vote for their favourite Christmas stall. It's simple - just pick up a form at the entrance, browse the market and tell us which stall you think has the best display. 
All participating visitors will be entered into a draw and the winner will receive a hamper bursting with Christmas goodies.
(stall holders, their family members and organisers cannot enter). 


So we look forward to seeing you at Riddings Hall, Riddings Road, The Grove, Ilkley on Saturday 11 December from 10am to 4pm. Entrance Free. 

October Market Gift Guide

Early Christmas Shopping Saturday on 23 October at 

The Arts Market in Ilkley!

It's not too early to be thinking about your Christmas Shopping and what better place  to browse than The Ilkley Arts Market?

We have 18 fabulous designer-makers and artists all in one place and entrance is free. We also have our cosy tea room, courtesy of Trufood Catering, for cakes, sandwiches, soup and refreshments.  

Take a peek at who will be there with our October Gift Guide. (This is not a comprehensive guide)

Felt brooches, recycled gifts and paper crafts from Mrs Sew and Sew

Textile brooches and hair decorations by Daisy Florence Design

Hand built ceramics from Lesley Anne Greene

Unique greeting cards and china tea mugs designed by Quite Contrary Crafts

Sparkly jewellery courtesy of Jellibeads Jewellery

Quality photographic prints by Gary Keat Photography

Individually designed vintage and bead jewellery from Ruby Spirit Designs

Ceramic home wares designed and created by Lianne of Mellor Ware

Funky fun stocking filler animals by Quernus Crafts

Bead and ribbon jewellery by Maneggi

Original knitwear deign by One Oak Baby

Emma Garry Designs - delightful children's hats & pinafores,  sewing kits, bags and cushions.

All our designers make affordable and original gifts, ideal for that "hard to buy for" person.

Christmas Shopping Time!

It's not too early to be thinking about your Christmas Shopping and what better place to shop than the Ilkley Arts Market!

We have 20 fabulous designer-makers and artists all in one place on Saturday 23 October at Riddings Hall, Christchurch, The Grove, Ilkley from 10am to 4pm.  Entrance is free so you can save those pennies and buy your loved ones hand made for Christmas.  There will be jewellery, ceramics, textiles, photography and original art at reasonable prices.  Come and browse and, if your'e tired of shopping, treat yourself to coffee and cake at our tea room, courtesy of Trufood Catering.


Look out for our Arts Market Gift Guide....

UK Handmade

UK Handmade Magazine

We are advertising our Arts Markets in the Autumn Issue of UK Handmade.
This fabulous on-line magazine has a large readership amongst lovers of hand made goods and features the latest in designer makers and business advice.  Even better, the publication is free!  But we want to see UK-Handmade in print so please increase its readership and support the magazine by commenting on the UK Handmade blog.