A Grand Afternoon - Little Northern Contemporary Craft Fair

A lovely afternoon in the Spring sunshine at Altrincham Boys Grammar School in Bowden, the Little Northern Contemporary Craft Fair was delightful.  Around forty five designer makers working in ceramic, jewellery, textiles, leather and print.  Some amazing pieces on show with the LNCCF's typically high standard.

A mischief of mice waiting to be dressed

 As always however, one stall really caught my eye. This was Peach Plot, a mother and daughter team from North Yorkshire, with mum, Beverley Peach, making these amazing mice.

There are little girls and little boys all dressed exquisitely and each one different. The little girls are in antique lace and recycled dainty fabrics and the little boys have waistcoats or little jackets some with cravats.  There are even specially dressed wedding mice for the happy couple. I would imagine that their creator would make bespoke to suit colours and styles of your own wedding.

My mouse, Fiona, is in the middle

Becca and I, who had both vowed not to buy just to look at the fair, couldn't resist these delightful companions.  Each mouse is named and they come in their own neat little box with a hand sewn linen cushion to sit on.  With so many to chose from it took a little while to pick but I settled on Fiona, in antique lace and pearls, whilst Becca just couldn't make up her mind but finally settled on Robin in a smoking jacket and cravat.

Took them to show my Mum and my Aunty Irene this afternoon and I think I will be contacting Peach Plot for two more.  If you would like to take a look at this wonderful little shop visit http://peachplot.com.  If, as with this weekend, they are at a craft fair the shop is shut but the gallery has lots of pictures and you can always check back when they are back home  in Yorkshire.  They make me think of Bagpuss's mice from the television show.

If you are up in the north west later on in the year there will be the annual Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair in October in Manchester - always worth a trip to see the brightest and best of the new makers but for a more intimate collection try the Little Northern for Christmas usually in November/early December.  Great crafts on display, great atmosphere and usually a great selection of home made cake at the Vintage Tea Room!