It’s been a little while since I last had the opportunity to wander around a proper craft show, so when the chance came along to visit The Creative Craft Show at Glasgow’s SEC, I was rather excited!
There’s something quite special about a craft exhibition, isn’t there? The opportunity to discover new products, see what other creative people have been getting up to, and, of course, indulge in a little crafty retail therapy.
And, as it turned out, this particular outing had a few unexpected adventures thrown in for good measure!
So, pop the kettle on, make yourself comfortable, and let me tell you all about it.
The Best Laid Plans…
Now, I had imagined a relatively straightforward journey to the exhibition centre. A train into Glasgow Queen Street, a short stroll to Glasgow Central, a quick connection to the SEC, and before long I’d be happily rummaging through mountains of crafty goodies.
Well, that was the plan.
Unfortunately, the trains between Glasgow Central and the exhibition centre had other ideas, and with services cancelled due to engineering works, I found myself faced with an unexpected walk along the River Clyde.
As it happened, this wasn’t such a terrible thing.
The sun was shining, the river was looking rather lovely, and I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to take in a little of Glasgow on foot.
In fact, I might even go so far as to say that the walk was a rather pleasant addition to the day.
Of course, I hadn’t accounted for a certain Storm Boelo and its equally troublesome friend, Storm Austen, who clearly had plans of their own.
By the time I was making my return journey, the pleasant sunshine had given way to rain and wind, and my leisurely riverside stroll had become something of a battle against the elements!
Still, there’s nothing quite like a bit of Scottish weather to remind you that you’ve had a proper day out.
And at least my purchases were worth getting a little damp for!
A Wonderful Blast from the Past
One of the loveliest surprises of the day had absolutely nothing to do with buying craft supplies.
While wandering around the show, I bumped into a few familiar faces from my days working as a television producer at Create and Craft TV.
Oh, what a lovely trip down memory lane that was!
Those years were a rather special part of my creative journey, and although the craft industry has seen plenty of changes since then, it’s wonderful to discover that some of the people who helped make those days so memorable are still very much part of it.
There were smiles, conversations, and a few moments of reminiscing about times gone by.
It’s funny how quickly the years seem to disappear when you bump into someone you haven’t seen for ages.
For me, these unexpected reunions were among the real highlights of the visit.
After all, crafting has never been just about the products. It’s about the people, the friendships, the shared enthusiasm, and the community that grows around something we all love doing.
And it was rather lovely to be reminded of that.
Crafting Is Alive and Well!
One thing that really struck me as I wandered around the exhibition was just how much enthusiasm there still is for crafting.
With so many distractions competing for our attention these days, not to mention the changes that the craft industry has experienced over recent years, it can sometimes be difficult to gauge just how popular our wonderful hobby remains.
Well, judging by the atmosphere at the show, I’d say there’s still plenty to be excited about!
It was genuinely heartening to see people enjoying themselves, looking at products, chatting with exhibitors, discovering new ideas and generally embracing all things creative.
There really is something infectious about being surrounded by people who share your enthusiasm.
Whether you’re interested in papercrafting, stitching, sewing, mixed media or any of the countless other creative pursuits out there, it’s lovely to know that we’re still part of such a vibrant and enthusiastic community.
And perhaps that’s one of the most important things I took away from the day.
Despite all the changes, challenges and occasional doom-and-gloom predictions, people still love making things – including me.
Long may that continue!
A Few Things That Could Have Been Better…
Now, you know me. I do like to look on the bright side of things, but I also think it’s important to be fair and honest when sharing an experience.
And while I thoroughly enjoyed my visit, there were a couple of things that left me feeling a little disappointed.
The first was the noticeable absence of some of the bigger craft brands that I’ve become accustomed to seeing at the English versions of these exhibitions.
Over the years, I’ve attended a fair few craft shows, and there’s always been something rather exciting about seeing the larger manufacturers and suppliers showcasing their latest products, demonstrating new techniques and giving visitors an opportunity to get hands-on with their newest innovations.
I did miss some of that at Glasgow.
That’s certainly not intended as a criticism of the smaller businesses exhibiting, or the organisers. Quite the opposite, in fact! Independent craft retailers and suppliers are an incredibly important part of our creative community, and they often introduce us to products and ideas we might never otherwise discover – and the organisers of these events keep the community alive!
But I do think there’s room for both.
A healthy mix of established names and smaller independent businesses makes for a wonderfully varied exhibition, and I’d love to see more of the major brands supporting the Scottish shows in future.
The other disappointment was the presence of a number of stalls that didn’t really seem to have very much to do with crafting at all.
Now, I appreciate that exhibitions need to appeal to a broad audience, and I understand that the show also included the Simply Christmas event, which naturally brings a wider selection of gifts and other products.
But, personally, when I visit a craft show, I’m hoping to find things that inspire me to create.
I’m there for the tools, materials, demonstrations, techniques and wonderful discoveries that make me want to rush home and start making something.
A few unrelated stalls are one thing, but when they begin to feel like they’re simply filling exhibition space, I can’t help thinking that an opportunity has been missed.
I’d much rather see those spaces occupied by emerging craft businesses, talented makers or interesting demonstrations that might inspire someone to try something new.
Perhaps that’s just the craft enthusiast in me talking!
A Little Something for the Craft Stash!
Of course, it wouldn’t be a proper visit to a craft exhibition without coming home with a few goodies, would it?
And I’m pleased to report that I didn’t return empty-handed!
Rather than attempt to describe everything here, I’ve put together a little video to show you what found its way into my shopping bags.
I’ll share my purchases, have a closer look at some of the things that caught my attention, and perhaps even give you a few ideas for your own crafty wish list.
So, without further ado, here’s my Creative Craft Show Glasgow haul!
I do love seeing what other crafters bring home from an exhibition. Sometimes the most interesting discoveries are the things you weren’t actually looking for in the first place!
Until the Next Crafty Adventure…
So, was the trip worth it?
Absolutely!
Yes, there were a few disappointments, and yes, the weather did its very best to turn my return journey into an endurance event, but neither of those things managed to spoil what was a thoroughly enjoyable day.
I came away with some lovely new crafty bits and pieces, a head full of ideas, and, perhaps most importantly, the pleasure of reconnecting with people from a rather special chapter of my life.
I also came away feeling reassured.
Reassured that there are still plenty of people out there who share our enthusiasm for making things, learning new techniques, and enjoying the simple pleasure of being creative.
I’d love to see the Glasgow show continue to grow, with more of the bigger craft names joining the wonderful independent exhibitors, and an even stronger focus on the creative activities that bring us all together.
Because, ultimately, that’s what these events should be about.
Celebrating creativity, encouraging curiosity, and reminding us just how much joy there is to be found in making something with our own hands.
And if that involves a little shopping along the way, well, who am I to complain? Lol!
Now, I’d love to hear from you!
Have you visited a craft exhibition recently? What did you think? Are there any particular brands, products or demonstrations you’d love to see at future shows?
And, perhaps more importantly, did you manage to come home without buying anything?
I certainly didn’t!
Until next time, happy crafting!
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Much love,
John.
Hi John, Great haul video! I think its lovely to see so many of the established brands still producing and putting stuff out there. Brittania Dies were one of the first brands I ever bought when I got my first die cutting machine which was one of the first Cut’n Bosses in the country. I don’t get to go to craft shows because they all seem to be midlands or north of that and I live as far south as you can go without going splosh. I do get through a lot of Glossy Accents for various things….filling in glaze chips on decorative china, making tiny items made out of paperclay or milliput look like porcelain and making transparent charms and danglies in curtain rings among other stuff. I bet you have done this but just in case, you put the ring on a piece of non stick sheet, stand an eyelet in near one edge to make a hole to hang it by, then flood the ring with GA. drop in glitter, beads, anything small enough really and leave it to set hard. bye for now.
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