Blue Magpie Contemporary Craft Fair
A welcoming curated designer-maker craft fair hosting 27 makers per day at Elmslie House in Great Malvern, Worcestershire.
Details
- Favourite
- Address
- 8 Avenue Road, Malvern, Worcestershire
WR14 3AG - Date
- March and November each year
- Time
- 10:30am - 4:00pm
- Next Markets
- , 16th Nov 2024 , 17th Nov 2024
- Organiser
- Blue Magpie
- Social
- Website
- bluemagpie.co.uk
- Trader Mailing List
- mailchi.mp/elmsliehouse.co.uk/new-makers-sign-up
- Accessibility
- There is good wheelchair access to the Hall, however, as we are a listed building installing modifications to allow better accessibility is difficult - so please do call ahead to talk about specific requirements and we'll do our utmost to help. For events taking place on the lower ground floor, access to the house is possible using the pedestrian gate on Albert Road South, where there is also on-street parking. Guide dogs and assistance dogs are always welcome. We have Baby Changing Facilities on both the ground floor and lower ground floor.
- Parking
- As Elmslie House is a private home, there’s unfortunately no parking at the house itself as access to the driveway is needed all the time. However, there is a large pay and display car park nearby (on Priory Road) and plenty of on street parking on the roads surrounding the house. If you are a Blue Badge holder, there are double yellow lines immediately outside Elmslie House.
- Facilities
- Toilets All Indoor Seating Available
- Markets in
- Birmingham , Bristol , Worcestershire , West Midlands , The West Midlands , The Midlands , South West
Blue Magpie, now celebrating its eighth year, has blossomed from a humble fair with just 12 craft makers to a much-anticipated event that now features over 27 designers and artists each day, attracting up to 900 visitors to its bi-annual Blue Magpie Contemporary Craft Fairs.
The brainchild of Anna Taylor, Blue Magpie was born from her lifelong love for craft and design. Anna's journey from learning to sketch and paint with her aunt in her early years to becoming a silversmith herself has fuelled her passion for artistry and the support of fellow craftsmen. Anna's vision was to establish a platform where artists could display their work, and this dream was realized with the launch of the Blue Magpie Contemporary Craft Fairs following the restoration of Elmslie House, her family home.
Anna shares, "The concept of Blue Magpie was inspired by my desire to share the beauty of craft; to uplift and bolster designer makers whose talent and craft enrich our world and make it a more visually appealing place."
Under Anna's guidance, Blue Magpie has expanded annually, with her personally selecting the participating artists, baking delightful cakes, and leading a small, committed team. The craft fairs are hosted in her beautiful home, Elmslie House, a well-known venue located in the heart of Great Malvern, Worcestershire.
Just as craft fairs and cakes go hand in hand, Blue Magpie fairs are no different. Anna prepares a delectable variety of cakes and scones for the fairs, which have become a hit among both the makers and visitors, drawing them back to the pop-up tearooms at every event.
Anna explains the origin of the name, "The idea for 'Blue Magpie' took root many years ago when I was toying with the thought of opening or acquiring a craft gallery. I've always seen myself as somewhat of a magpie, but since that name was already quite common in business, I needed something unique. That's when I stumbled upon an image of a Blue Magpie. Its vibrant colours, strength, and boldness were a perfect match for the Scandinavian-style graphic design I adore."
Blue Magpie operates as a non-profit initiative. The minimal entry fee charged to craft fair attendees is used solely to cover staffing and administrative expenses. This approach enables Blue Magpie to continue promoting contemporary craft in Great Malvern and supporting the exceptional artists that Anna discovers on her journeys.
