Craft Festival

01/01/2025

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I hope you've managed a few days of calm, after the very eventful last few months. Christmas is a LOT!

If you need some direction and want to start the year in a positive way, join us for Preparing to Sell at Hereford.

Preparing to Sell on Tour 2025⁠
February 20th at Hereford College of Arts
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⁠This lively and useful day at Hereford College of Arts, led by Sarah James MBE, Director of Craft Festival and Find a Maker, gives makers at all stages of their career, the best possible advice for selling directly to the public. We will also discuss how to diversify and market your business.⁠
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The day is also suitable for students who want to get ahead. ⁠
⁠
Sarah will be joined by Craft Festival's marketing consultant, Susan James of Roced Marketing and Find a Maker Member Sarah Monk Ceramics from Eastnor Pottery.
⁠
The day includes ⁠
⁠
· How to Apply for Craft Fairs, ideas on stand presentation, sales techniques and ⁠
tips and the importance of good photography⁠
· How to diversify your practise. ⁠
· How to plan and deliver a marketing plan⁠
· Why sell directly to the public? How to Make Your Show a Success⁠
· What are the Do's and Dont's when taking part in big events⁠
· How to diversify your business⁠
⁠
To book your place go to Preparing to Sell link in our bio. ⁠
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📸 Ian Payne Woodturner

30/12/2024

Let's Start the New Year as we mean to go on. ⁠
⁠
Join us in Bovey Tracey on February 5th for Preparing to Sell at Make Southwest.⁠
⁠
This lively and useful day, led by Sarah James MBE, Director of Craft Festival and Find a Maker gives makers at all stages of their career, the best possible advice for selling directly to the public. We will also discuss how to plan and market a workshop programme that sells. ⁠
⁠
Sarah will be joined by Craft Festival's marketing consultant, Susan James and Make Southwest and Find a Maker Member, Alex Finberg.
⁠
The day includes ⁠
⁠
· How to Apply for Craft Fairs, ideas on stand presentation, sales techniques and ⁠
tips and the importance of good photography⁠
· How to diversify your practise. ⁠
· How to plan and deliver a marketing plan⁠
· Why sell directly to the public? How to Make Your Show a Success⁠
· What are the Do's and Dont's when taking part in big events⁠
· How to plan, market and deliver successful workshops⁠
⁠
To book your place > https://linktr.ee/preparingtosell ⁠
⁠
📸 Samantha Bryan

27/12/2024

Get yourself ready for the New Year, join us for Preparing to Sell.

Preparing to Sell on Tour⁠
January 23 Cardigan⁠

This lively and useful day, led by Sarah James MBE, Director of Craft Festival gives makers at all stages of their career, the best advice for selling to the public, marketing strategies and how to manage a portfolio career.

The day is also suitable for students who want to get ahead. ⁠
⁠
We will be joined in Cardigan by Belinda Knott from Pothies and Suzi Park from Make it in Wales and Cambrian Wool.
⁠
The day in Cardigan at Mwldan includes:

· How to Apply for Craft Fairs, ideas on stand presentation, sales techniques and tips and the importance of good photography

· How to launch a new business and how to manage a portfolio career.

· How to create a marketing plan and How to use Instagram to build your business

· Why sell directly to the public? How to Make Your Show a Success

· What are the Do's and Dont's when taking part in big events
⁠
The day is just £49

For more details and to book > https://linktr.ee/preparingtosell

Paratowch eich hun ar gyfer y Flwyddyn Newydd, ymunwch â ni ar gyfer Paratoi a Gyfer Werthu.

Paratoi a Gyfer Werthu ar Daith
Ionawr 23ain Aberteifi

Mae'r diwrnod bywiog a defnyddiol hwn, dan arweiniad Sarah James MBE, Cyfarwyddwr yr Ŵyl Grefft yn rhoi'r cyngor gorau i wneuthurwyr ar bob cam o'u gyrfa, y cyngor gorau ar gyfer gwerthu i'r cyhoedd, strategaethau marchnata a sut i reoli gyrfa portffolio.

Yn ymuno â ni yn Aberteifi bydd Belinda a Suzi o

Mae'r diwrnod ym Mwldan yn cynnwys:

· Sut i Wneud Cais am Ffeiriau Crefft, syniadau ar gyflwyniad stondin, technegau gwerthu ac awgrymiadau a phwysigrwydd ffotograffiaeth dda

· Sut i lansio busnes newydd a sut i reoli gyrfa portffolio.

· Sut i greu cynllun marchnata a Sut i ddefnyddio Instagram i adeiladu'ch busnes

· Pam gwerthu'n uniongyrchol i'r cyhoedd? Sut i Wneud Eich Sioe yn Llwyddiant

· Beth i'w wneud a beth i beidio â'i wneud wrth gymryd rhan mewn digwyddiadau mawr

Mae'r diwrnod yn £49 yn unig

Am fwy o fanylion ac i archebu ewch i ddolen Paratoi i Gwerthu yn ein bio. .
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📸 Alanda Wilson Ceramics

24/12/2024

Merry Christmas from all of us at Craft Festival and .amaker⁠
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I hope you have the opportunity to rest and reflect on the year. It's been a rollercoaster! ⁠
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We have lots of look forward to, but for now, it's time to down tools and say, enough. ⁠
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To all our friends, family, makers, supporters, funders and contractors, thank you so much. ⁠
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Date for your diary: Craft Festival Cheltenham, March 21-23, 2025. ⁠
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Lots of love, ⁠
Sarah, Nina, Kate, Susan and Niamh ⁠
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Nadolig Llawen oddi wrth bob un yn yr Ŵyl Grefft a .amaker⁠
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Gobeithio y cewch gyfle i orffwys a myfyrio ar y flwyddyn. Mae wedi bod yn rollercoaster! ⁠
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Rydym yn edrych ymlaen at lawer, ond am y tro, mae'n amser i lawr offer a dweud, digon. ⁠
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I'n holl ffrindiau, teulu, gwneuthurwyr, cefnogwyr, cyllidwyr a chontractwyr, diolch yn fawr iawn. ⁠
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Dyddiad i'ch dyddiadur: Gŵyl Grefftau Cheltenham, Mawrth 21-23, 2025. ⁠
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Llawer o gariad, ⁠
Sarah, Nina, Kate, Susan a Niamh⁠
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📸 Michaela Mcmillan⁠

Click the link to buy tickets https://bit.ly/CraftFestivalCheltenham2025

23/12/2024

StartUP ⁠
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A dedicated pavilion at Craft Festival Bovey Tracey for makers who have been in business for 2 years or less (started trading since January 2023). ⁠
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Our aim is to support fledgling careers and to encourage and promote the latest creative talent. Stands in the StartUP section are offered at a much reduced rate to Craft Festival's stands and create an outstanding opportunity for businesses of two years or less.⁠
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You make ceramics, glass, textiles, jewellery, metal, wood, plastics, mixed media, leather, recycled materials, printmaking and paper. ⁠
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Your work shows a dedication to quality of making, presentation and originality.⁠
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To apply click this link >https://bit.ly/StartUP2025
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Deadline 6pm January 24th⁠
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📸 Charlotte Smith Jewellery

23/12/2024

❤️

The Trustees and Castle staff would like to thank everyone for their support during 2024.
We wish you a peaceful Christmas and a happy New year!

Photo by kind permission of Laura Winter

20/12/2024

Preparing to Sell on Tour 2025⁠
February 20th Hereford Arts.
⁠
⁠This lively and useful day at Hereford College of Arts, led by Sarah James MBE, Director of Craft Festival and .amaker gives makers at all stages of their career, the best possible advice for selling directly to the public. We will also discuss how to diversify and market your business.⁠
⁠
The day is also suitable for students who want to get ahead. ⁠
⁠
Sarah will be joined by Craft Festival's marketing consultant, Susan James and Find a Maker Member, Sarah Monk from Eastnor Pottery.
⁠
The day includes ⁠
⁠
· How to Apply for Craft Fairs, ideas on stand presentation, sales techniques and ⁠
tips and the importance of good photography⁠
· How to diversify your practise. ⁠
· How to plan and deliver a marketing plan⁠
· Why sell directly to the public? How to Make Your Show a Success⁠
· What are the Do's and Dont's when taking part in big events⁠
· How to diversify your business⁠
⁠
To book your place > https://linktr.ee/preparingtosell
⁠
📸 Ian Payne Woodturner

18/12/2024

Preparing to Sell on Tour 2025⁠
February 5th Make Southwest, Bovey Tracey⁠
⁠
Preparing to Sell is going on tour in the New Year, visiting Cardigan, Bovey Tracey and Hereford. ⁠
⁠
This lively and useful day, led by Sarah James MBE, Director of Craft Festival and Find a Maker gives makers at all stages of their career, the best possible advice for selling directly to the public. We will also discuss how to plan and market a workshop programme that sells. ⁠
⁠
Sarah will be joined by Craft Festival's marketing consultant, Susan James and Make Southwest and Find a Maker Member, Alex Finberg.

The day includes ⁠
⁠
· How to Apply for Craft Fairs, ideas on stand presentation, sales techniques and
tips and the importance of good photography⁠
· How to diversify your practise. ⁠
· How to plan and deliver a marketing plan⁠
· Why sell directly to the public? How to Make Your Show a Success⁠
· What are the Do's and Dont's when taking part in big events⁠
· How to plan, market and deliver successful workshops⁠
⁠
To book your place > https://linktr.ee/preparingtosell ⁠
⁠
📸 Samantha Bryan Sculpture

17/12/2024

DATE FOR YOUR DIARY! ⁠
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Our first Craft Festival in 2025 is at Cheltenham. We're celebrating our 7th Edition at Cheltenham Town Hall in March and we'd love you to join us. ⁠
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If you are looking for a last minute Christmas present, tickets to Craft Festival Cheltenham make a great gift for your craft-loving friend. ⁠
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You could even add a workshop and enjoy a weekend of making in the beautiful surroundings of Cheltenham Town Hall. ⁠
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Click the link to buy tickets https://bit.ly/CraftFestivalCheltenham2025
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📸 Marian Ripoll Vaquer⁠
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Supported by Hereford College of Arts, Find a Maker and Carmarthen School of Art

16/12/2024

Preparing to Sell on Tour⁠
January 23 Cardigan⁠
⁠
Preparing to Sell is going on tour in the New Year, kicking off in Cardigan.

This lively and useful day, led by Sarah James MBE, Director of Craft Festival gives makers at all stages of their career, the best advice for selling to the public, marketing strategies and how to manage a portfolio career.

The day is also suitable for students who want to get ahead. ⁠
⁠
We will be joined in Cardigan by Belinda Knott from Pothies and Suzi Park from Make it in Wales.
⁠
The day in Cardigan at Mwldan includes:

· How to Apply for Craft Fairs, ideas on stand presentation, sales techniques and tips and the importance of good photography

· How to launch a new business and how to manage a portfolio career.

· How to create a marketing plan and How to use Instagram to build your business

· Why sell directly to the public? How to Make Your Show a Success

· What are the Do's and Dont's when taking part in big events
⁠
The day is just £49

For more details and to book https://linktr.ee/preparingtosell

Paratoi a Gyfer Werthu ar Daith
Ionawr 23ain Aberteifi

Paratoi a Gyfer Werthu, yn mynd ar daith yn y Flwyddyn Newydd, gan gychwyn yn Aberteifi.

Mae'r diwrnod bywiog a defnyddiol hwn, dan arweiniad Sarah James MBE, Cyfarwyddwr yr Ŵyl Grefft yn rhoi'r cyngor gorau i wneuthurwyr ar bob cam o'u gyrfa, y cyngor gorau ar gyfer gwerthu i'r cyhoedd, strategaethau marchnata a sut i reoli gyrfa portffolio.

Yn ymuno â ni yn Aberteifi bydd Belinda a Suzi o

Mae'r diwrnod ym Mwldan yn cynnwys:

· Sut i Wneud Cais am Ffeiriau Crefft, syniadau ar gyflwyniad stondin, technegau gwerthu ac awgrymiadau a phwysigrwydd ffotograffiaeth dda

· Sut i lansio busnes newydd a sut i reoli gyrfa portffolio.

· Sut i greu cynllun marchnata a Sut i ddefnyddio Instagram i adeiladu'ch busnes

· Pam gwerthu'n uniongyrchol i'r cyhoedd? Sut i Wneud Eich Sioe yn Llwyddiant

· Beth i'w wneud a beth i beidio â'i wneud wrth gymryd rhan mewn digwyddiadau mawr

Mae'r diwrnod yn £49 yn unig

Am fwy o fanylion ac i archebu https://linktr.ee/preparingtosell
⁠
📸 Alanda Wilson Ceramics

14/12/2024

This year has been a lot. It has pushed all of us to the limit, I know that.

Celebrating the wins are so important. And when something niche like Craft Festival Wales win Event of the Year it’s a win for us all. It puts quality makers in the spotlight and that makes me very happy.

Roddy, my dear daddy, who left us on the Tuesday before Craft Festival Wales opened in September, would have been gobsmacked. He didn’t think Craft Festival would work in Cardigan. Boy, he got that wrong, but he would have cried tears of joy, like my mum did when I showed her our Caru Ceredigion trophy.

Cardigan is such a wonderful town, full of hard working, generous people and Craft Festival was embraced with such incredible warmth. I am so proud to be a Cardi.

Storm Darragh postponed Cardigan’ Festival of Light which will take place at 7pm on Wednesday December 18th. Please support them.

You can also support the finest makers at Craft Festival Cheltenham from March 21-23.

Applications for Craft Festival Wales will open in the New Year. Put September 5-7, 2025 in your diary 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

11/12/2024

Preparing to Sell on Tour 2025⁠
⁠
Our ever popular day, Preparing to Sell is going on tour in the New Year, visiting Cardigan, Bovey Tracey and Hereford. ⁠
⁠
This lively and useful day, led by Sarah James MBE, Director of Craft Festival and Find a Maker, gives makers at all stages of their career, the best possible advice for selling directly to the public. The day is also suitable for students who want to get ahead. ⁠
⁠
Sarah James MBE will be joined by a range of marketing specialists and experienced makers, all sharing their knowledge and advice. ⁠
⁠
Dates and Locations: ⁠
January 23rd at Mwldan, Cardigan
Feb 5th at Make Southwest Bovey Tracey⁠
Feb 20th at Hereford College of Arts
⁠
To book your place CLICK HERE > https://linktr.ee/preparingtosell

03/12/2024

Some News about GPSR -

We had an email from Craft Council last week trying to shed some light on the new regulations for exporters from UK to EU (and Northern Ireland)

Added to the import duty and other charges on maker-to-buyer purchases from this is looking like a major issue in small UK businesses (Makers and Artists) exporting to customers in the EU.

If you are a small exporter/maker what are your plans/understanding - do we ignore and hope for the best and hope its mostly irrelevant to us (like GDPR was) or is this actually the final nail in the coffin for EU/UK direct sales.

Anyway this is what we know so far... Hope this helps?

(image )

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(from Crafts Council)

General Product Safety Regulation GPSR is a new set of EU regulations that replaces the existing rules (The General Product Safety Directive 2001 and the Food Imitating Product Directive 1987) with the aim of bringing regulations up-to-date with the substantial growth in digital commerce. The regulations are due to go into effect on 13th December.

Most of it seems to be common sense such as putting safety information on listings. The aspect that is most concerning that those selling from outside the EU to the EU (AND Northern Ireland) need to appoint an authorised representative that is located in the EU. There is a list of who this Responsible Person can be, in most cases it can be connected to manufacturers, or you can buy into an agent service – for craft sector and our micro businesses and sole traders this is problematic. You can find out more on the impact on small businesses selling to NI here.

GPSR also adds more responsibility to marketplaces, with enhanced information being required listed, including the Responsible Person.

We have been talking to our friends Folksy who have shared their work on this. Alongside platform changes so that sellers can provide relevant information, remove items that have been recalled, and report items we know are dangerous etc. They are also changing the shipping choices to give sellers the option to not sell to EU and NI. They have put together a really useful blog or their members, which you can find here.

https://blog.folksy.com/2024/11/26/gpsr-guide-for-artists-and-makers-on-folksy

Understanding how this impacts the craft sector is hard to see. The nearest mention is in this section:

(18) Antiques, such as works of art or collectors’ items are specific categories of products which cannot be expected to meet the safety requirements laid down by this Regulation, and should therefore be excluded from its scope. However, in order to prevent other products from being mistakenly considered as belonging to those categories, it is necessary to take into account that works of art are products created solely for artistic purposes, that collectors’ items are of sufficient rarity and historical or scientific interest to justify their collection and preservation, and that antiques, if they are not already works of art or collectors’ items or both, are of an extraordinary age. When assessing whether a product is an antique, such as a work of art or a collector’s item, Annex IX to Council Directive 2006/112/EC ( 13 ) could be taken into account.

The Annex mentioned above identifies these:
Pictures, collages and similar decorative plaques, paintings and drawings, executed entirely by hand by the artist original engravings, prints and lithographs, being impressions produced in limited numbers directly in black and white or in colour of one or of several plates executed entirely by hand by the artist, irrespective of the process or of the material employed, but not including any mechanical or photomechanical process original sculptures and statuary, in any material, provided that they are executed entirely by the artist; sculpture casts the production of which is limited to eight copies tapestries and wall textiles made by hand from original designs provided by artists, provided that there are not more than eight copies of each individual pieces of ceramics executed entirely by the artist and signed by him enamels on copper, executed entirely by hand, limited to eight numbered copies bearing the signature of the artist or the studio, excluding articles of jewellery and goldsmiths' and silversmiths' wares.

29/11/2024

Lots on in Cardigan this weekend 🎄🎄🎄

Come to Cardigan Castle tomorrow, Santa and so many stalls to see, come on over and kick-start the Christmas spirit!

29/11/2024

New General Product Safety Regulations (GPSR)

The European Union General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR) introduces new obligations for businesses selling products in the EU, with significant implications for small heritage crafts businesses, especially those who occasionally sell to EU customers.

Under the new rules, businesses must ensure their products meet stricter safety requirements across the EU, and must document risk assessments and safety measures for their products. British businesses selling to EU customers must also appoint an EU-based representative who is responsible for compliance with safety standards. The representative ensures traceability, provides compliance documentation, and communicates with EU authorities if safety issues arise.

While the new GPSR aims to improve consumer safety, its requirements (particularly the need for an EU-based representative) pose huge challenges for small craft businesses, including significant costs and administrative burdens. These businesses may need to carefully consider the costs of compliance against the benefits of selling in the EU.

Heritage Crafts is currently looking into possible collaborative strategies to help overcome these new regulatory burdens, but such solutions are complex. Heritage Crafts is also speaking to partner organisation to join forces in lobbying for exemptions or simplified rules for small businesses and occasional sellers. Simplified compliance pathways, such as self-certification for certain product categories, would help small craftspeople remain competitive.

We will update you on any progress made.

Unfortunately very little information on the new regulations is available on the government website.

Image: Cambridge Woodwind Makers

29/11/2024

F I N A L C A L L
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There is 1 HOUR left to apply!

Craft Festival Bovey Tracey 2025⁠
21st Anniversary Edition ⁠
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Join us in June next year and celebrate our 21st Birthday in the Devon countryside on the edge of Dartmoor.⁠
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Applications are invited from makers working to the highest standards.⁠
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You make ceramics, glass, textiles, jewellery, metal, wood, plastics, mixed media, leather, recycled materials, printmaking and paper.⁠
⁠
Your work shows a dedication to quality of making, presentation and originality.⁠

Click here to apply > https://bit.ly/CraftFestivalBoveyTracey2025
⁠
Applications Close at 6pm
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📷️ Jewellery by Rachel Butlin.

29/11/2024

⏰️ APPLICATIONS CLOSE AT 6pm ⏰️⁠
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A final word of encouragement from Helen Brice. ⁠
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We have had the privilege of representing Helen for many years. Thank you for putting your faith in us. ⁠
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Here is what Helen had to say about last year's Craft Festival in Bovey Tracey. ⁠
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"This years show was simply phenomenal!!⁠
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I don't think I can recall a year when all 3 days were so busy and bustling with happy visitors. The atmosphere was amazing. On Friday in particular, it felt like customers had come with intent to treat themselves, and there was a real sense of excitement.⁠
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Many visitors were returning customers, but there were also new faces, some of whom had travelled a long way to visit the show.⁠
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As a long term exhibitor at this show, I feel extremely proud to be a part of Craft Festival. With all the challenges facing live events and the general downturn in 'at show' sales elsewhere, it was an absolute joy to exhibit at such an uplifting show, which has given me a much more positive outlook for the year ahead. ⁠
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Thank you so much for all that you do to make this unique event the very BEST show in the UK. " ⁠
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Would you like to join us in Bovey Tracey next June? ⁠
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Applications close at 6pm. ⁠
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https://bit.ly/CallforEntriesBovey
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Craft Festival Bovey Tracey⁠
June 6-8, 2025

28/11/2024

⏰️ COUNTDOWN TO DEADLINE ⏰️ ⁠
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1 Day to Go! ⁠
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You have until 6pm TOMORROW to apply for Craft Festival Bovey Tracey. ⁠
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We thought it best to let our exhibitors tell you how much they love Craft Festival Bovey Tracey. ⁠
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We'd love you to join us.⁠
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"Craft Festival remains the best organised, friendliest event I attend! ⁠
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A huge thank you to the organisers and all the lovely volunteers.⁠⁠⁠"⁠
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Exhibitor, Bovey Tracey June 2024⁠
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Applications close at 6pm TOMORROW. https://bit.ly/CallforEntriesBovey
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Craft Festival Bovey Tracey⁠
June 6-8, 2025 ⁠
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📸 Rachel Butlin