Spotlight: Crafty Fox Market | LIF 2015
As Crafty Fox Market prepare for their pop-up at The London Illustration Fair this weekend, we talk to founder Sinead Koehler to get the low down.
Showcasing 15 designer-makers plus a workshop programme, Crafty Fox Market is located on the third floor of the Bargehouse building, next to the bar!
Hi Sinead! The London Illustration Fair opens to the public today – what can visitors look forward to at Crafty Fox Market?
We have lined up 16 of our finest traders selling a mix of illustration, ceramics, textiles, jewellery and gifts. Visitors will also have the opportunity to make an origami Christmas tree with Little Paper Vee (free) on Friday, get a watercolour portrait in 5 minutes by AndSmile (Saturday) or try out letterpress with Prickle Press on Sunday (£5-£8).
Are you in the festive mood yet?
Most definitely – any excuse for mulled wine and mince pies! We are really excited to embark on our series of 5 festive events across London which kicks off with our ‘hijack’ at the London Illustration Fair. We are also celebrating our 5th birthday this weekend with a bumper edition of our Christmas Market at the Dogstar in Brixton.
Why do you think events like LIF are so important for the creative community?
Events like LIF provide a great opportunity for the creative community to get together, show support for one another and make useful connections.
For the artists, it’s a great motivator to produce new work – the standard is really high. LIF is brilliantly curated every year.
Can you tell us a little about the history of Crafty Fox Market?
I have always loved shopping at markets and found the handmade scene in London really inspiring when we first moved here. Back in 2010, I had a side-line making and selling jewellery alongside a full time job in event management. This led to the idea to start my own market which would include great quality stalls, workshops and DJs. My husband, Stephan, used to run club nights back in Dublin so he was happy to have an excuse to give his vinyl collection an outing. Our friend, the talented illustrator Jimbobart created the original fox character – he still produces a new fox illustration for every season of Craft Fox events.
We held the first market at a 3 story Victorian pub in Brixton called The Dogstar (where we still run markets). It was only ever intended to be a one-off event but it was really popular and one event swiftly led to the next. Since then, we have expanded to several other venues across London and built a really loyal community.
We host monthly meet-ups and also run occasional ‘Talks’ – evening events for designer/makers and artists with a business focus. We operate as a social enterprise and our propose is to help designer/makers and artists to sell their work.
What makes Crafty Fox Market so special?
Visitors often comment that Crafty Fox Markets have a unique atmosphere – I think the best way I can describe it is an event with a lot of soul.
Highlights of 2015? What kind of collaborations do you hope to cultivate for Crafty Fox Market in future?
2015 has been a really fantastic year for Crafty Fox Market. Highlights have included ‘Man-made’ – a joint event that we ran with Etsy back in June at the Truman Brewery celebrating male makers. We also took part in London Design Festival for the first time with a special edition of the market at Katchette in Shoreditch – a fantastic venue which we are sure to return to. We were honoured to be asked to collaborate with the London Illustration Fair this year – an event that we had always respected. We are currently busy making plans for 2016 and look forward to more great collaborations. It’s sure to be another exciting year!
craftyfoxmarket.co.uk | thelondonillustrationfair.co.uk
The London Illustration Fair takes place at Bargehouse, OXO Tower Wharf from Friday 4th December, Saturday 5th December and Sunday 6th December, with a special launch party on Thursday 3rd December, 6pm – 9pm. Tickets on sale now, priced £5 – Buy here.