We regret that the Super Duper Fair must say AU REVOIR for now......

We have had a wonderful three years of events, starting with a very small and intimate fair on the lawn in front of Grundy Art Gallery and expanded to 60 stalls of beautiful handmade things in the Winter Gardens.

We are very pleased with what we managed to do in Blackpool for handmade craft and design and hope that it's recent surgence continues!!

This year we wanted to make the fair more selective and competitive but unfortunately there hasn't been the response to this change we had hoped for. We have therefore decided to cease the fairs and have a think about how best to continue Super Duper's legacy. I am sure it will manifest itself in some new and exciting way, just like it did back in 2009.

Thank you to all the designers and craft makers who have been a part of this journey and all those who have supported the fair.

The story is not over, just being re-written!

Super Duper Fair 2013

(Click on the image above to read)

The Super Duper Fair team have been deep in thought on ways to improve the fairs offer and how it fits into Blackpool's growing craft and handmade fair scene.

This year we want to focus on contemporary craft and design, handpicked by a panel of judges made up of the Super Duper Fair team and external judges from the industry.

We are really looking forward to reading all your applications!!

Science-fiction - knit and see

Are you into Science Fiction?
Here are two things you must do if the answer is yes.

1. Mysterious Cats, an online shop on Etsy, is selling Star Wars themed knitting patterns. You can pick one up for £9 (for three patterns) and make your very own wooly Millennium Falcon.

Image above courtesy artist

ORION TIDE, Kelly Richardson, Fujiflex colour photograph, 48" x 57", 2012

2. Grundy Art Gallery's current exhibition by Kelly Richardson takes influence from Science fiction cinema, creating post-apocalyptic landcapes using specialist digital technoloiges.

Why not bring your fluffy Falcon along to the exhibition and imagine it taking off over a lunar-esque landscape. That is surely a whole weekend of fun!

Here is a link to one of Richardson's films to get you started .... The Erudition

Kirsty's next move

Back in December 2011 we had Kirsty Almeida over to Blackpool to deliver a workshop day at FYCreatives for amateur and professional craftmakers and designers to learn how to market, promote, enhance and streamline your homemade business.

She is appearing tonight at Manchester Art Gallery from 7-8pm, performing a musical response to the current exhibition The First Cut, which includes 31 international artists working in paper.

You can expect a delicious evening of art, craft, music that blurs the lines between folk, jazz and soul, food and drink and socialising!

To find out more click here

Callout for stalls

Hello craft makers, artists and designers,
Would you like the opportunity to sell your wares at a charity event in a beautiful building on Turs 21st June?
Of course you would!
All you need to do is contact Ellen Smith on cheekyellen@hotmail.com for more details.
Have fun!

Sell your stuff in Blackpool

Me&Yu, the amazing clothing company based in Afflecks Palace, is co-hosting a great new community project with FYCreatives.

If you live on or near the Fylde Coast or have a link to Blackpool & Fylde then this is your opportunity to make and sell for profit in a Pop-up Fashion Boutique in Blackpool this summer.

We are asking for submissions for "Blackpool" Inspired products - things like handmade or re-worked clothing, fashion accessories or art & design gifts that would look great in a fashion-led store. Open to anyone over the age of 16, the project will run alongside "How To" sessions from Me&Yu where you can learn more about running your own small business.

If you want to know more about the project email angie@meandyu.com for an application pack.
Follow this link for their facebook page.

Fantastic commission opportunity!!

An exciting new commission for designers, product designers, artists and makers. Have you ever fancied designing, developing and manufacturing Blackpool inspired products ready for sale? Now is your chance!

We are looking for expressions of interest from three artists, designers or creative enterprises who would like to be considered for Project Object.

Project Object is seeking artists who will engage with Blackpool’s historic collections and built heritage to design a range of quality products inspired by the seaside resort which will be sold in the Grundy Art Gallery Shop and the Tourist Information Office Shop.

Blackpool Council has in its possession a wealth of materials which we hope will inspire contemporary and innovative design in a range of products and to be sold at different price ranges suitable for most pockets, and can range from more ‘mass produced’ products to bespoke and limited edition ranges.

We will be appointing three artists for Project Object, to undertake four weekly design sessions with the community each, and then to develop their work into saleable products.

For more information and to request an application, please email kerry.hunt@blackpool.gov.uk
We look forward to your ideas!