Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair returns for third year

4000BC: The year opals date back to. They are most likely to originate from Ethiopia
90%: Australia has dominated opal production since the 1800s with more than 90% of the global output coming from down under
19th: The century when the opal was considered bad luck in Europe. However, Queen Victoria was quite a fan of opal and wore her personal collection throughout her reign
15,000: Black opals, the most rare and prized, can cost more than Aus$15,000 (about £8,750) a carat

20 July 2010 | By James Knowles

The Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair is set to return for its third year at Spinningfields this year, showcasing the works of local designer/makers from October 22 to 24.

The fair will showcase a range of crafts from homeware, ceramics and textiles to jewellery from 150 exhibitors. A panel approved just 40% of applicants to exhibit and have selected their “ones to watch” for this year. The panel selected Leila Arzaghi, Emily Jones and Lucy Harvey in the jewellery category.

Additionally, this year the organisers have opened the event to the Great Northern Graduates, and will include stands showing graduate creations.

Footfall increased 50% from the event’s first year in 2008, with 6,400 visitors attending in its second year in 2009. Admission is £6 per guest and interested retailers should contact enquiries@greatnorthernevents.co.uk