Derry embroiderer Rachel Kelly returns to her roots at Guildhall Craft Fair

This weekend’s Guildhall Craft Fair will feature exhibitors from all over Ireland, but it will be a home gig for Derry embroiderer Rachel Kelly.

Her Velveteen range of bags, purses and accessories was still in its infancy when she first set up her stall there back in 2013 but the event played a pivitol role in the subsequent growth and development of her business.

“I was just getting up and running then but it was a brilliant experience,” recalled the local Art Teacher.

“For me it’s the biggest and best Craft Fair to be involved in.

“I was just testing the market at that stage but it went well and gave me the confidence to continue selling my work.

“It’s a great opportunity to sell to the public but it’s also a chance to network and build contacts and the Walled City Crafters in the Craft Village picked up a lot of my stuff as a result.

“Local crafters are a small community so it was a good opportunity to chat to them and exchange ideas.

“Because of work commitments I haven’t been able to do it again so I’m really looking forward to it this year.”

Rachel’s employment takes her all around the North West as a supply teacher, it’s a job she enjoys but she appreciates the relaxing element of embroidering in the evenings.

She continued: “I have a degree in textiles but I taught myself how to embroider.

“I have a big personal interest in art and children’s literature so I found that embroidering was a good way to combine the two.

“I like the fact that it is an extension of drawing pictures and that I could add writing to the pieces to help get the message across.

“I’ve always found it relaxing and it can be a nice way to unwind after teaching during the day.”

A total of 40 crafters will take part in the Guildhall Craft Fair from Friday November 11th to Sunday November 13th, including 9 new exhibitors who will be selling their products there for the first time.

A Live music programme will help get visitors into the festive spirit as they take a break for some coffee and cake at the Craft Fair Coffee Shop set up by Café Guild in the Main Hall.

Parents with little ones will also be delighted to know that Christmas Craft Workshops will run free of charge from 12pm until 4pm on both Saturday and Sunday.

The Craft Fair will begin on Friday 11th November beginning at 2.00pm until 8.00pm, Saturday from10.00pm until 6.00pm and Sunday from 11.00am until 6.00pm.

For more details about Council’s ‘Light up your Christmas’ programme see www.derrystrabane.com/christmas.