Providing a unique platform for 150+ local crafters and artisans, last weekend saw the British Ironwork Centre’s second annual Homemade Festival reach a whole new level of creative success. Aiming to celebrate everything homegrown and handcrafted, this festival is all about highlighting creativity and sparking new ideas within the local community.

The Ironworks believe that “innovation starts from the home”, with so many of their ideas fuelled by the small creative businesses and people around them. Which is why spotlighting these individuals and the incredible things that they make is such an important aspect of everything that the Ironworks do. Clive Knowles, the Chairman of The British Ironwork Centre, says:

“It was so fantastic to see the sheer volume of artisans choosing to use upcycled and recycled objects in their work. Revigorating what already exists and creating something beautiful from old or disused items is something we’re really passionate about here at the Ironworks, so it’s really lovely to see that our local creatives are doing the same.”

“From when the festival started on Friday morning until the moment it finished on Saturday afternoon, the centre was filled to the brim with excited spectators and shoppers looking to buy something truly unique. And it really was brilliant to see so many members of the public making a special effort to support these creators.

“At the end of the event, several stallholders were awarded for their hard work. This included the ‘Best in Show’ award which went to the youngest creative of the year, seventeen-year-old Luke Evans from Metalworx by Luke (pictured below), who creates sculptures from various recycled materials. Luke had a hugely successful weekend selling his wares, many of which he said took inspiration from the Ironworks centre itself.

Other awards and the winners were: ‘Best Greeting’ to Sally Greenland of Sally G Pottery; ‘Most Innovative Stall’ to Kelly Kraus of Team Sikel; ‘Best Smile’ to Isla Hatton of North Wales Niffler; ‘Most Quirky Creations’ to Neil Rintoul of Neil The Spoon Man; and ‘Best of British’ to Joy Dawes of Blackbird Textiles.

Born through a passion for crafts, this event is entirely designed to celebrate artisans and their wares, providing tables and provisions for the whole weekend at a subsidised cost to the stallholders. Various charity stalls, such as the Shropshire Cat Rescue, were also invited to join the festival completely free of charge. The Ironworks are hoping to make the 2025 event a much bigger one, looking to introduce a second marquee and extra awards to highlight even more local creatives next year. See you there?