A craft calendar highlight
The largest working craft fair in the Southern Hemisphere is set to grow again. Now it's 39th year, this event held in Northern Tasmania continues to appeal to bigger audiences with a more diverse mix of craft categories including food craft, guitar craft, beer craft and of course more traditional crafts!
Across the event, that may take you more than a day to browse, you'll 'meet the makers' from so many industries, emerging artisans and international artisans.
With eight venues and five galleries housing more than 250 exhibitors you'll be sure to stumble across something that catches your eye.
With a majority of artisans from Tasmania (which means there are more than 200 Tassie artisans featured), you'll be assured of quality products.
Our official emerging artist is Hong ma from Deloraine, takes woodcraft to a new level by combining other parts of the tree as well as woodturning shavings, colour pencils and even food ingredients.
These items are surrounded in a resin to enrich her woodwork and provide stunning designs.
"In my mind, wood is not the only beautiful part of the tree. Seeds, leaves and flowers can also be very pretty. So, in my work I like to experiment to display them together," she said.
Featured artists are Andy and Margaret Causon. While Andy is a professional portrait artist, for the last four years he's also been creating one of a kind lamps - he calls them retro industrial.
They've got a bit of a Steampunk flavour. Margaret produces beautiful handbags from recycled leather, be it from clothing or even furniture.
Some of the best from the Australian mainland will be in attendance too, together with a visiting Featured International Artisan. This year the fair will welcome Maline Yim from Cambodia.
Maline is a contemporary visual artist who bases her work on nature and her experiences of growing up in Cambodia amongst civil war and poverty.
She's had solo exhibitions in France, Cambodia and New York and will come to the fair from her exhibition in Singapore.
"The international component for the fair is critical as we want to ensure we offer contrast, learnings and relationships across the fair, and offer a more in depth experience where thoughts and perspectives are challenged too." Fair director Lesley Dare said
"We're hoping people don't just come to view and buy wonderful creations, but also that they'll walk away entertained and inspired with new knowledge as well."
Last year's 'Blue Farmer' made national news as a community project that many attendees participated in to raise awareness of the plight of mental health for farming communities.
A new feature this year is in collaboration with the Design Tasmania Centre featuring locally designed Tasmanian timber pieces as well as our emerging and feature Tasmanian artisans.
Fly fishing demonstrations with casting and tie fly lessons, sheepdog trials and a health stop provided by the University of Tasmania where attendees can get a health check as well as learn how to mix lotions amongst other activities for all ages!
All of this, together with great food, live music and a myriad of surprise treasures is spread across the arty hamlet of Deloraine.
This year will see a slight change to ticketing, with bigger discounts for online sales and each ticket holder gaining entry to venues with their wrist band.
