Record crowds at Craft Festival Wales, Cardigan Castle

More than 1,000 visitors flocked to the opening day of Craft Festival Wales at Cardigan Castle yesterday, Friday, September 5. The event continues today,  Saturday, September 6, and Sunday

Craft Festival Wales is a national event celebrating the finest craft and making.

(Image: Craft Festival Wales) Its inaugural event took pace in September last year, winning the title of Event of the Year in the Caru Ceredigion Awards 2024.

The not-for-profit craft festival is led by Cardigan’s Sarah James, who has been curating multi-award-winning craft events across the UK since 2003. Sarah was made an MBE for services to craft in King Charles’ Birthday Honours List 2023.

Craft Festival Wales was opened yesterday by broadcaster and author Kate Humble before more than 1,000 visitors flooded through the gates of Cardigan Castle.

Another special guest arrived later in the day, as First Minister Eluned Morgan MS visited and presented key awards.

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The Best Maker in Wales award was presented to Llio James, a textile designer and weaver from Talybont who now works from Cardiff.

(Image: Craft Festival Wales) Justyna Medon from Addicted to Patterns, printmakers and surface decoration specialists, from Pontyrhyl near Bridgend was awarded the Best Stand award.

Craft Festival Wales features100 professional makers, each chosen by an independent selection panel for the quality and originality of their work.

Makers from across the UK are exhibiting handmade fine jewellery, silver, wood and metal, ceramics, glass, furniture, paper and print and textiles.

(Image: Craft Festival Wales) The event is now confirmed as an annual fixture on the event calendar for Cardigan, thanks to support from Event Wales, part of Welsh Government, Arts Council of Wales, the Ceredigion County Council Shared Prosperity Fund and local business partners.

The festival continues Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 5pm.

Tickets to Craft Festival Wales are still on sale. Online advance tickets are cheaper and cost £8 for an adult ticket, children enter for free with an adult ticket holder.

Tickets are also available at the event gates.

For information and full details of exhibitors, workshops and other features, visit www.craftfestival.co.uk/Wales, linked above.