5 Mins With: SoLo Craft Fair

A new craft market comes to Catford next weekend. We meet the team behind it

Catford Constitutional Club. Photo: PR
Catford Constitutional Club. Photo: PR

SoLo Craft fair is run by south Londoners Catherine Dunne and Rebecca Hunter. As owners of small handmade businesses they wanted to create craft markets which promote their stall holders and provide a strong stepping stone for small local businesses. Their next event, the Spring Fling Maker’s Market takes place on 30th April at Catford Constitutional Club.

Where do you live?
Forest Hill and Catford – true south Londoners (we’ve never moved north of the river).

What’s your favourite thing about south London?
We love that it’s so green and has the best views of the city by far (Horniman Gardens is a favourite). And Crystal Palace are the best football team.

Rebecca
Catherine Dunne. Photo: SoLo

How is your craft fair different?
The venues of the markets are carefully chosen on being unique and iconic and normally in pubs – so our guests will never go thirsty. Our summer events are booked into Catford Constitutional Club and Balham Bowls Club, both known for their unusual decor and charm.

But the real difference of our craft markets is that we want as much going on as possible throughout the day; it’s all about the customer experience, we want them to leave with a huge smile on their faces and we’re always looking for new ideas and collaborations.

What can readers expect?
We’ve made sure our stalls are as varied as possible, offering some of the best handmade and vintage items, from candleholders to jewellery, art, vintage fashion, homeware, natural soaps and celebrity broaches (trust us, they’re amazing.)

And lots of live music too: our musicians have been tuning their instruments preparing to serenade you all: Loveday Weller, with her beautiful acoustic cover set will be performing at 2pm. Stables, a local lively folk band will be playing at 3pm, followed by Celtic Hearts at 4pm, a traditional Irish band.

SoLo craft fair. Photo: PR
SoLo craft fair. Photo: PR

Any workshops?
There’ll be onsite printing by artist Anthi Chrysanthou if you fancy becoming an artist for the day. Silver Blossom Jewellery will be giving children and adults the opportunity to make their own pieces inspired by the Silver Blossom range. And Mothers Inc will also be popping up offering some of the best massages south of the river.

We’re guessing there are activities for ankle-biters too?
Blue Lion Face Painting will be there to decorate the children (or adults) with a huge collection of designs. Tillie and Matt will make balloon animals, so all kids should be well and truly entertained.

Finally, tell us a south London secret…
Not many people know that Vincent Van Gogh used to live in Brixton.

SoLo Craft Fair’s Maker’s Market is at Catford Constitutional Club (SE6 4SP) on Saturday 30th April 12-5pm. Free entry. Summer of Handmade is at Balham Bowls Club on Saturday 28th May and Saturday 9th July. Follow @solocraftfair

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