QEST & Grandey’s Place Makers to Join Forces at Living Crafts

21st April 2023

To celebrate the Coronation, QEST Scholars and makers from Grandey’s Place – a centre dedicated to the conservation of Britain’s Heritage Crafts in Hertfordshire – are joining forces to take a pavilion at Living Crafts fair, showcasing and demonstrating their crafts over the Coronation Weekend (5-8 May). The event takes place in the grounds of Hatfield House, Hertfordshire – home of QEST Vice-Patron, the Marquess of Salisbury. Showcasing the UK’s finest designer-makers, it offers the opportunity to discover and buy unique designs and beautifully hand-crafted work, or commission bespoke pieces direct from makers. Watch master craftspeople as they demonstrate their skills or get hands-on by taking part in one of the many workshops for a range of ages. With food and drinks pavilions and live entertainment, it’s as fun day out for the whole family.

Amongst the QEST Scholars at this year’s event, ceramicist Bryony Applegate will show her sculptural works and demonstrate her hand-piped porcelain technique, and milliner Sahar Freemantle will sell her wedding, Ascot and Panama hats and demonstrate making occasion wear – including rolling sinamay edges, sewing sequins and manipulating feathers. Letter carver Wayne Hart will work on a current commission which involves drawing, carving and gilding, while stained-glass artist Tom Vowden will demonstrate glass cutting and soldering techniques.

Elsewhere at the fair, QEST Leathersellers’ Company Scholar Mark Angelo-Gizzi will be be showcasing a number of his handmade leather items. From bags and satchels to belts, card and phone cases, his products are all handcrafted from high quality vegetable tanned leather, solid brass fittings and waxed linen thread.