One of the best events to happen each year in Bendigo is Craft Alive! This year's was held 17-19 June 2016 at the Bendigo Showgrounds.
Craft Aliveis Australia's Leading Regional Craft and Sales Expo
over three fabulous days. Annually bringing together both talented
interstate and local exhibitors, focusing on creative Hand Finished Products,
Do It Yourself Products, Craft Supplies, Homewares and creative workshops
to inspire young and old. Customers have the opportunity to shop for
something unique and special in the comfort of indoors. You can enjoy lunch or
morning tea at the cafe, wander into a workshop and spend a leisurely hour
having fun while learning new skills.
Exhibitor's can apply for any or all of the regional events.
Craft Alive is a great opportunity for them to spread their wings, travel and expand their client base by showcasing their specialty product to customers throughout
Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland.
Bendigo's Craft Alive is the
largest in regional Victoria and has on average 100 exhibitors. Here are
some of this year's highlights:
Each year I give myself a set budget for Craft Alive & this is this year's haul of goodies. I didn't buy any fabric this year, instead I purchased mostly quilting stencils, sewing notions and a few bits & pieces which I need for gifts. I also bought myself a new quilt pattern (see next photo).
I discovered this blog post partially written and unpublished, so I thought that I would finish it off and publish it.
Back in June I attendedCraft Alive here in Bendigo. Craft Alive is Regional Australia's leading craft and sales expo and is
held over 3-days.The three day craft show has craft of all ranges and craft for all ages.
Exhibitors have everything from supplies to finished goods, covering a wide
range of craft. Each show has 60-100 exhibitors, workshops, make and takes,
demonstrations, a full café, and the local guilds and groups. The Bendigo
show also features STITCH! which is a two day niche craft show which is focused on all things needlecraft. In addition to the main show, STITCH! has 20-25 needlecraft experts covering
patchwork, quilting, embroidery, wool work, and more. Exhibitors will have
everything from supplies, to kits, to finished goods. Each site runs interactive learning opportunities including workshops, make and takes, and
demonstrations.
As I don't handle crowds very well, I usually try to go on the Friday when I know that attendee numbers are fewer than those on the weekend. This year I went with Mum and a friend of hers from the retirement village. Once there I met up with my friend - Linda from Echuca - and we walked around the stalls together. I managed a few hours before having to return home.
Although we arrived right on opening time, there was already a queue to get in.
THIS is why I like to go on a Friday, there is space to move and I can actually TALK to the stall holders without constant interruptions or having to elbow my way through the crowds.
This year it was housed in a larger pavilion
I headed straight to the Brindabella stand as I had recently purchased one of their quilting frames and I needed help.
And I finally met up with my Instagram friend Julie@narioka
Mischief in the making - a photo of me with Linda.
Linda knows EVERYONE (or so it seems)
Beautiful vintage sewing machine
Some more vintage sewing machines
Ooooh lots and lots and lots of notions!!!
Too many wonderful goodies to purchase
My goodies from Craft Alive.
I bought a Rosalie Quinlan embroidery pattern "Happiness"; embroidery needles, Sewline ceramic lead refills; Cosmo floss; some Kaffe Fassett fat quarters; two other fat quarters for one of my quilting bees; a specialty ruler for my Brindabella quilting frame; quilting pins (for the quilting frame) and a new stencil.
