Festival Vibes at Handmade Oxford

Writing this entry in the last days of June, it is hard to believe that one of my favourite months in the UK countryside is nearly at a close.  But summer is still fresh, wildflower meadows are in bloom, birds are singing, the nights long and festival fever is taking the country by storm.

On the theme of festivals. Last week I found myself driving up a rural, dusty, gravel track in the middle of the Oxfordshire countryside not obviously on the road to anywhere. In fact, if it wasn't for the odd person in a high vis jacket telling me which way to turn, I may have lost faith in my trusty waze app.

There were farm buildings on my left, and tractors on my right and still the track went on until I reached an attractive plantation of trees laden with fruit and a field packed full of cars. 

Seemingly in the middle of nowhere, but in reality only a stones throw from Oxford City Centre, I had arrived at my destination - Handmade Oxford taking place in erected marquees on the grounds of the splendid 18th Century, Waterperry House.

Waterperry House is most famous for the horticultural school for ladies that was founded there by Beatrix Havergal and Avice Sanders. In 1932 they leased the property from Magdalen College, Oxford and immediately set about 'preparing the land, felling and clearing trees, building glasshouses and improving the soil for production' initiating the garden layout as it is today.

In the war years they ran monthly classes - 'dig for victory' teaching pupils to grow their own food.

This wholesome tale of felling, improving, building, teaching and growing provided a perfect setting for Handmade Oxford.

Handmade Oxford organised by Handmade in Britain was a curated gathering of craftspeople. A coming together of talented makers expert at working with their hands to manipulate materials into functional, beautiful forms.  

Throughout the four days there were stalls selling jewellery, woodwork, artwork, glass, blankets, scarves, art. The beautiful list of desirable pieces goes on . . . On top of this there were workshops, demonstrations, live music and artisan food trucks giving the event a summery, festival vibe.

I spent a happy few hours there sampling the food and drink on offer - freshly roasted coffee, smoked salmon bagels and artisan ice cream - and wandering around the craft stalls chatting to some of the friendly makers.  The workmanship of pieces on sale was exquisite, but these were some of my favourites:

Bangles by Barbara Spence

Modern square bangles in silver which can be mixed and matched with perspex bangles. These are available in a kaleidoscope of bright colours to suit your outfit, the season and indeed your mood.

                       Barbara Spence

Ceramics by Valeria Moffat

Wheel thrown, stoneware bowls decorated with a splash of indigo blue inspired by the waves of the sea.

                       @valeria.muffato

Scarves by Laslett England

Printed silk scarves hand-designed and meticulously hand-finished. These pretty designs are inspired by vintage fabrics.

                       Laslett England

Blankets by Chalk

100% merino lambswool blankets in natural colours and geometric patterns. Designed and woven in UK mills and hand-finished with a blanket stitch detail.

                       Chalk

Wooden boxes by Edward Wild

Luxury wooden boxes that combine fine materials with exquisite craftsmanship. Boxes can be used to store precious jewellery or cufflinks.

                       Edward Wild

Glass bowls by Emmy Palmer

Pip glass bowls in a multitude of colours.  Hand blown and finished with cut and polished rims.

                       Emmy Palmer 

Handmade Oxford provided a welcome break from London. More than a craft fair, and more like a festival in vibe, it was a tribal gathering of talented craftspeople whose manual work is highly skilled.  An event that I can't help thinking those industrious two ladies - Beatrix and Avice who ran the horticultural gardening school during the war years - would have approved.

Look out for the next Handmade in Britain Fair.