Makers Revolution – Craft Market in Penryn

Since moving to Cornwall I’ve been getting to know other local makers through the Etsy Maker’s Cornwall group and have fallen in with these revolutionaries – a group of people who wanted more local, affordable places to sell contemporary craft. In that spirit we’re seeking to take back shopping in person, meeting makers, feeling products and seeing before you buy.

Here’s our first press release, manifesto and market date for later this month – we’ll be open in Penryn on 22nd September.

Local Makers launch Makers Revolution Cornwall with their first craft market

Makers Revolution Cornwall is a new initiative set up by a group of local artisans in order to create more grass roots events to support artists and makers in Cornwall. The Revolution will kickoff in September with its first market, showcasing some of the most skilled and original makers in the region.

The movement has evolved from a simple online discussion about local craft events to become an active response to the group’s shared concerns about shopping becoming a screen-based activity, which encourages an automatic process of consumerism that lacks considered action. As more shops close, the circle tightens and more people shop from home, losing an important sense of connection to the items they buy along the way. The Maker’s Revolution Cornwall recognises this as an opportunity to empower and support makers and local businesses in taking action themselves to set up the events they need to happen.

Market Organisers:

The group of six makers originally met online via the Facebook Page ‘Etsy Makers Cornwall’, where they found that many local makers and artists felt that they were sometimes excluded from larger profit-driven selling events through price, location, experience or competition. In a county with a high proportion of self employed residents, it was agreed that a more supportive solution could be found by harnessing the power in collectivism to overcome the struggle of sole trading.

‘’Definitely some events don’t consider things from a sellers point of view so capitalise on entrance fees but don’t put enough money into marketing, ‘’ explains Keri Valentine of HumbleCottage in Penryn. Sally Atkins, who runs Sally’s Shed in Lostwithiel agrees: ‘’Often the only people who are destined to make a profit are the organisers. There’s a place in the wider community for truly people driven events – not prescribed by organisers or governing bodies – but a place to come together, build relationships while creating an experience the customer doesn’t get online.’’

Armed with a manifesto and a growing social media following, it seems the group have hit a chord with small creative businesses in Cornwall and have been inundated with applications for their first market. It is hoped this will be one of many more events run by makers, for makers. Almost 30 artisans will be exhibiting and selling their work at The Makers Revolution Cornwall Market No 1, which will take place at the Highway Community Centre on Church Road, Penryn from 10am-4pm on 22 September. All are welcome.

To find out more, visit Makers Revolution Made in Cornwall on Facebook or MakersRevolutionCornwall on Instagram.

#makersrevolutioncornwall makersrevolutioncornwall@gmail.com