About us

NEXT EVENT:

GNCCFonline Christmas : 2-3 December

Craft says…excuse me, listen up, I’m different. Be original, be curious, make a statement. Why not own something that nobody else does?

We are Great Northern Events NW Ltd, a not for profit organisation, whose aims are to champion designer-makers, provide opportunities to showcase and sell their work, and help build a market for craft through our award-winning Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fairs.

The Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair (GNCCF) and GNCCFonline are opportunitues to buy direct from top designer-makers and craft artists.  All exhibitors are hand-picked by an independent panel of craft experts, to give you the best in covetable and beautiful design and craftsmanship. 

The shows feature jewellery, textile accessories, print, furniture, lighting, ceramics, glass, wood, metal and more. GNCCF and GNCCFonline are opportunities to buy direct from the makers - and to meet and chat to them at our "live" fairs.  Many of our exhibiting makers also work to commission, should you be looking for something special or bespoke.

Founded by passion-fuelled people with an obsessive love of craft and a desire to create nationally renowned events, it’s no coincidence that the GNCCF has become the must-attend event for exhibitors and buyers alike.

Since the first fair was offically opened by internationally renowned designer Thomas Heatherwick in 2008, our craft events have showcased  over 3000 artists, attracted over 85000 visitors and sold over £3m of craft.

Great Northern Events NW Ltd is a member of Craft UK and is represented on the steering group of the NW Craft Network.

Our Outreach Work

We are passionate about making craft more accessible to people from disadvantaged backgrounds. 

We have a long-standing partnership with The Oasis Centre, a community centre in Gorton, East Manchester. We provide free craft workshops for their service-users, facilitating the learning of new skills and bringing a wealth of mental health benefits. As well as making pieces to be proud of, the community have created  a permanent artwork for the outside of their building, and 2022 saw us work with 143 participants in a "deep-dive" week of tile-making to make a large scale community mosaic to adorn the Oasis interior. 

In 2023 we will also partner with the Salford charity Embassy, to work with homeless women, and Progress Schools to teach craft skills to 12-16 yr olds struggling with mainstream education.

Please support this valuable work and donate by clicking on the image below. Thank-you.

GNCCF and GNCCFonline are only made possible thanks to public funding from the National Lottery through Arts Council England.