The Creative Stitches and Hobbycrafts Show 2014 4 March 2014 at 8:56PM in Crafting 17 replies 3.3K views

Gold_Dust_2

Anybody going? :j Anybody exhibiting? I recently bought some tickets for my sister and myself because she loves to knit, crochet and paint, but now I'm interested for jewellery making reasons, too.

Has anybody been to one yet and if so, can you recommend stalls to visit and let me know if there are going to be good deals on crochet and jewellery supplies?

Gold_Dust_2

Nobody? Nobody has ever been to one, and nobody is going? Well that's frustrating. I just wanted to know whether it was worth saving my money to buy my stash from the show, or whether I should just get it all from ebay.

julie03

i have been to something similar at earls court olympia. found the prices reasonable there and you do get show offers as well, plus you save on postage.

plus there are the demos and lots of inspiration

Gold_Dust_2

Thank you! I'm still torn...maybe I'll make up a price list before I go so that I know not to get carried away with impulse buys when I get there.

Ailsb

Hi just seen your question.

I normally go to the one atvthe NEC Birmingham. I use Tesco Clubcard vouchers for the entrance and normally manage free train travel using Red Spotted Hanky vouchers, so for me it's a free day

I have to say it depens on what you are buying as to whether you will get it cheaper at the show or not. Last year I purchased a Sewing Machine and got about £50 off the normalmprice, free delivery and a free quilting table and pack, so definately worth it. If you are into card making there are normally a couple of everything for a £1 or 12 items for £10 type stalls which are always very busy. Sometimes it's not the fact they are cheaper but the fact you have so much choice that makes the show worth while. Also you can get plenty of ideas and some hands on make and takes as well.

I don't know about other venues but the NEC has good 3G coverage so I normally double check the prices of anything I am interested in on my phone before I buy them.

The other thing I would recommend is try to look around the whole show before buying as yoj may find it cheaper on another stall or decide that something else is more important to buy. Make a note of what you've sen, the stall number and the price. Maybe take some time out at lunchtime to review your list and go back if you're still interested.

Hope that info helps. Enjoy yourself if you do go.

Gold_Dust_2

Thank you very much!! I was hoping that someone like yourself would pop along, and those are some great tips, thank you. Is there a lot on offer for jewellery makers, do you know?

shiprob195

Gold_Dust wrote: »

Thank you very much!! I was hoping that someone like yourself would pop along, and those are some great tips, thank you. Is there a lot on offer for jewellery makers, do you know?

If it's jewellery making you're interested in. Have you thought about a bead fair.


I have been to many of these http://www.bead-supermarket.co.uk/store/# in the past. There's one this Sunday in a village near Leicester.


I can highly recommend this particular one. Fab beads at brilliant prices :-)

Ailsb

Gold_Dust wrote: »

Thank you very much!! I was hoping that someone like yourself would pop along, and those are some great tips, thank you. Is there a lot on offer for jewellery makers, do you know?

Again depends which one you're going to. You can normally check the exhibitors list to see who will be there. NEC had quite a few last time with some decent prices and some doing make and takes.

Can't comment on bead fairs as I've not been to any.

Ruth_honey

I went to the show at Olympia yesterday and there wasn't much jewellery making that I noticed. BUT, it is a different show, so you might find there are different exhibitors at the one you're planning to visit.
There was LOADS of fabric/quilting stands, lots of wool, cross stitch, Decopatch, a fudge stand(!) and lots of ready made clothing/bags/scarves (why???).
I was mainly looking for crochet and cross stitch stuff, and there was enough choice to keep me happy. Although crochet hooks weren't cheap there, so got those from ebay afterwards. Some lovely wools, so your sister should be happy!
Ailsb's tips were very good (hello, btw!) and if you can find a list of companies that will be at the show, you can see if there's any bead/jewellery making ones listed. Oh, and take your own lunch-the queues are crazy and food isn't cheap!

Ailsb

Ruth_honey wrote: »

I went to the show at Olympia yesterday,and lots of ready made clothing/bags/scarves (why???).
Ailsb's tips were very good (hello, btw!)

Hi Ruth, long time no "speak" hope you are well. Glad you had a nice day yesterday. I can never understand why they have finished stuff at craft shows surely most people going can make their own.

Ilona

I went to a similar show at Perth Scotland, and the stitch and knit at Harrogate. To be honest I never buy anything at these type of shows, I go looking for ideas. I use all recycled materials for my crafts, some of it is free, and some I buy from car boot sales or charity shops. I never shop on ebay. I think of crafting as recycling, there is mountains of stuff for free if you look around. The things I make I either keep or give away.
Ilona