Best of Britannia, Farmiloe Building: these are a few of my favourite things

A few of my favourite things from the Best of Britannia event at the Farmiloe Building earlier in October: Doris & Co creamware - the cup has a very pleasing shape, slightly tapered towards the bottom, vintage inspired illustrations and well-thought out words and phrases. I like the PATIENCE mug - I need this.

Satchelle - up against the mighty Zatchels and Cambridge Satchel Company - these satchels by Satchelle are made from nice quality leather and available in a range of colours - particularly liked the cherry pink colour (bottom right in the pic)

Blodwen - modern and traditional Welsh-made products: wool blankets, cushions, wooden love spoons...

Pashley cycles

slippers, lanolin handcream and soap, and woollen blankets from Romney Marsh Wools - looking forward to seeing them next at Country Living Fair and Spirit of Christmas

Blodwen sale

Blodwen of Cardigan Bay is having a sale.

Welsh Tapestry Scarf, was £80, now £59

Fingerless gloves - were £60, now £30

Vintage tapestry in coral pink, yellow and black was £280 now £145

Blodwen's Christmas Emporium

Blodwen is based in Cardigan Bay, selling Welsh-made products.  They are 'committed to the preservation and revival of traditional rural skills and the promotion of artisans' - and this is why I love them.
Their General Stores have been transformed into a Christmas Emporium. As the name suggests, it is a great place for Christmas shopping - there is something for everyone.

My top picks:

I want a pair of these - Dragon red 'Cwtch' (cosy) cashmere bedsocks - I would wear them 365 days a year! £35

Sheepskin slipper in dragon red £80

Traditional carthen tapestry blanket / bedcover £260

Welsh love spoon £25

Selvedge Spring Fair - some highlights (part 1)

I went to the Selvedge Spring Fair today at St Augustine's church hall on Archway Road - it was fantastic! a great selection of UK designer-makers: some that I already knew such as Noolibird, and some new ones like Bojo Childrenwear and Folk at Home.

First, some pics of St Augustine's church hall: all decked out in purple alliums for the Fair

Here are some high lights of the designer-makers (part 1)...

Blodwen - this company sells products made in Wales by a variety of designer-makers.  They are 'committed to the preservation and revival of traditional rural skills and the promotion of artisans...Blodwen aims to bring about real regeneration, contributing to rural communities as they maintain their way of life and livelihood'.

Blodwen zip purse and clasp purse

 quilts and blankets (Carthenni)

Magmu's Wild Rose organic lotions and creams

And Papa Stour - a company that sells Scottish made items: 'Papa Stour embraces Scottish art, craftsmanship and design in its purest form'.

hotwater bottle cover  by Kate
and some yellow dolly birds by Clare

merino wool blanket and cushion cover knitted by Kate
(with Fairisle knitted lavender heart perched on top)

Selvedge Spring Fair - Saturday 2nd April

I went to the Christmas Fair organised by the good people of Selvedge last year - and loved it: a selection of mainly textile designer-makers, had set out their wares on tables in the local church hall (St Augustine's on Archway Road, London). Fabulous teas were served on the stage at the back of the hall.

The Spring Fair promises to be just as good, this time with a new line up of designer-makers. I'm particularly keen to check out the Welsh-made products stocked by Blodwen, and the Scottish-made items stocked Papa Stour.

It's open 10am to 5pm, at St Augustine's church hall on Archway Road, next to the Selvedge shop.

Below are instructions from Selvedge on how to get there: