Blue Magpie Contemporary Craft Fairs

27/09/2026

// Wood //

Introducing Mark McGilvray and Kaori Takahashi who trade as Takahashi McGil, they will be joining us for all three days of our November event.

Takahashi McGil are multi award winners duo comprised of husband and wife, Mark McGilvray and Kaori Takahashi, who met at Wimbledon School of Art where they both studied Fine Art. Mark is originally from South Africa and Kaori is from Japan, and the pair now live and work in Devon. Initially, they made work for personal use, and in 2016 they happily set up their own studio, making their craft their livelihood. Since then,
they were initiated into MAKE Southwest, and in 2019 they were selected for the Toast New Makers programme. Combining Japanese and Western woodwork techniques, Takahashi McGil harmoniously honor tradition and create exceptional homeware designs that are crafted from a beautiful array of local and sustainable hardwoods. The collaborative pair hold a deep appreciation for nature, which is manifested into
their flawless designs. Their practice transcends the multidisciplinary approach, using tools from both traditions to make the work. Together they plane, chisel, turn, wax and lacquer with great precision and attention to detail. Each considered piece celebrates the natural beauty of the material. They have previously shown their work at Make Hauser & Wirth, Yorkshire Sculpture Park, Collect, London Craft Week, The new Craft Maker, Maud and Mabel, Isetan Shinjuku Tokyo to name a few. Also feathered on
ELLE decoration, The Sunday times, The Daily Telegraph, Modern Rustic, Period Living, The Observer - Observer design, Remodelista, Country Living and more.

26/09/2026

// Art //

Sarah Millin who trades as Sarah Millin Artist will be joining us on Sunday 22nd November.

After a childhood spent with a pen, pencil or paintbrush constantly in my hands, Sarah's adult artistic journey began by studying textile design at Chelsea College of Art. Her first job as a newly graduated artist was as a textile designer in Kenya. There she worked in the Jua Kali sector with women’s groups and street children. Jua kali is a Kiswahili term for working under the fierce hot sun – which it certainly was! But it was also hugely inspirational as vibrant colour was freely applied, patterns randomly placed across fabrics, and nothing was wasted.

Returning to England, she was artist in residence for an environment charity, funded by Arts Council England. This involved playing with an array of industrial waste for the purpose of developing an arts education programme and organising a national conference on creativity and re-use.

25/09/2026

// Soap //

We welcome back sîan Archer on Saturday 21st November, Sîan trades as Gallus & Green.

Sian is chief maker at Gallus & Green. She creates natural, eco and vegan friendly
bathroom goodies. This includes soap, body scrub, shampoo bars and bath salts.

All products are made with sustainability in mind and every ingredient is natural. Essential oils for scent and mineral pigments for colour – that’s it. Plus, a little G&G magic to create that luxury experience. G&G tries to be as zero waste as possible and the beautiful packaging can be composted or recycled. Nothing is tested on animals, just a friendly team of trusted testers.

Gallus us a Scottish word which means daring and exciting – exactly what Sian aims to bring to your cleansing routine. Just because it’s natural doesn’t mean it should be boring. Sian can’t wait to meet you at Blue Magpie this festive season. She’ll be bringing lots of lovely gift sets for you to choose from or customise to suit the lucky recipient.

24/09/2026

// Ceramics //

Meet Leigh Hicks who trades as Hicksmade, Leigh will be joining us on Friday 20th November.

Clay has been part of Leigh’s creative practice since her schooldays. Having trained and
worked for many years as a graphic designer she combined her love of craft and clay with
many years of classes and workshops. After a part-time pottery apprenticeship in 2019 she
set up her own studio in 2020. Originally from Scotland she is based in West Oxfordshire,
more recently moving her studio and creating a workspace in her garden.

She works primarily with white and toasted stoneware clay, throwing clean simple lines and
decorating with strong graphic shapes and colours. Responding to nature and the world
around using sgraffito or unglazed areas to create bold visuals and textures, her work
evolves and responds to the endless possibilities of clay and the inspiration that surrounds
us all.

Leigh strives to make beautiful, visually pleasing and eye-catching items, that are first and
foremost functional, to be used day to day and to bring a smile to daily life!

23/09/2026

Introducing the first of our November makers -

// Jewellery //

Alex Yule who trades as Alex Yule Jewellery will be joining us on Friday 20th & Saturday 21st November.

Alex draws inspiration from her surrounding environment, inheriting her father's interest in wild flowers and love of beach-combing rocky coastlines.

From a young age Alex expressed her creative ideas in 3D forms and went on to train in Display Design. She soon moved into roles building bespoke props and window schemes for stores such as Harvey Nichols before developing her craft further in a career in architectural model making for a leading Covent Garden based practice.

Now dedicated to her long-term ambition as a jeweller Alex studied at Sir John Cass and City Lit where she honed her skills working with precious metals. In 2011 she launched her first collections from her London workshop where she was based for 10 years before moving back to her countryside roots and setting up her new workshop on the edge of the South Downs National Park.
Former influences are reflected in Alex’s work in which you will recognise her attention to detail and a love of natural forms.

Alex has previously received both a ‘Gold Award’ and ‘Silver Award’ in the annual ‘Craft & Design Selected Awards’ for Jewellery & Precious Metals.

22/09/2026

It’s just over 8 weeks until our next Blue Magpie event. Head over to our website for full details to help you plan your visit.

13/07/2026

26/05/2026

Last chance to apply for our November event today! Don’t miss the chance to be part of our community of makers, three days, lots of talent and a huge amount of delicious cake.

Link in bio - applications close at midnight

16/04/2026

Applications for our November Blue Magpie event are now open!

We may be enjoying Spring right now but at Blue Magpie HQ our heads are already looking at our next event!

Whether you are an emerging maker or an established creative we would love to receive your application.

Head over to our website for more details and application form.

We can’t wait to hear from you.