UK's Top Design Makers come together for the return of Gnccfonline - An online version of Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair
This summer sees the return of GNCCFonline, an opportunity to buy unique and exceptional contemporary craft direct from 120 specially selected makers over the weekend of 17-18 July.
When the pandemic forced the cancellation of the much loved Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fairs in 2020, the show organisers embraced the digital revolution and with a defiant ‘the show must go on’ spirit, launched the GNCCFonline with the aim of supporting independent makers.
The online fairs were a great success, with the GNCCFonline Christmas edition achieving record sales of almost £100K and attracting over 10,000 online visitors - 15% of these coming from outside the UK.
Keen to build on this success, the team behind the Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fairs now hope to make GNCCFonline an annual summer event.
“Like many events, we were particularly hard hit by the pandemic but GNCCFonline was a lifeline for us and our makers. Before Covid, an online craft fair would have been thought a crazy idea but it’s great to see how the public have embraced buying craft online and supporting makers,” says Ann-Marie Franey, who co-founded the Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair 15 years ago.
Featuring over 120 specially selected designer-makers and artists, the work for sale will be the same high quality and range of contemporary craft, that the Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair is renowned for. As ever, the exhibitors have been handpicked by a panel of craft experts to ensure the best in handmade design and beautiful craftsmanship - with jewellery, textile accessories, print, furniture, lighting, ceramics, metal and glass available to buy. Over a third of makers selected for GNCCFonline will be exhibiting for the first time joining some familiar faces, who will be showcasing and launching new collections.
Angela Mann, Fair Director adds: “As well as lots of fabulous work to buy throughout the weekend, there will also be the opportunity to ‘visit’ makers virtually in their studios, and watch them demonstrate their craft. You’ll also be able to book personal shopping experiences via Zoom with your favourite makers. Watch out for further details of this via the GNCCFonline website and via our social media platforms.”
Whilst GNCCFonline is set to become a regular event in the GNCCF portfolio, a recent landmark survey ‘Market for Craft’, commissioned jointly by the Crafts Council and Great Northern Events showed that 84% of makers surveyed cited in-person fairs as their foremost revenue source. With this in mind, Great Northern Events are delighted to announce that their award-winning, Manchester based Great Northern Contemporary Craft will return as a live event from 8-10 October 2021, in its new home at the city’s iconic Victoria Baths.
GNCCFonline Summer Edition goes live 9am Saturday 17 July 2021. For an opportunity to see work before the general public, anybody who signs up to the mailing list via their website will get a special invite to the Preview evening on Friday 16 July.
Great Northern Events, the not for profit company who founded and organise The Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fairs, is supported by Arts Council England through National Lottery Project Grants.
For further information on GNCCFonline visit: www.greatnorthernevents.co.uk
Facebook: Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair
Facebook Event Page: https://fb.me/e/1pd9gPKsp
Instagram: @great_northern_events
Twitter: @GNCCF
Search : #GNCCFonline #GNCCF #CraftSaysSomethin