Following the success of last year’s edition, we are delighted to announce the return of The Makers’ Market at The Royal Exchange

This celebration of all things crafty will once again take place on the mezzanine of our historic building. Over the course of four days, The Royal Exchange will play host to a selection of UK-based craft businesses specialising in everything from beautiful handwoven textiles and bespoke chess sets to handmade umbrellas. Truly, there’s something for everyone – and loads to discover!

The event is part of London Craft Week (9-15 May) and will take place daily from 10-13 May 2022. As well as giving you the chance to pick up unique, handmade gifts and support independent artisans, we will also be hosting plenty of in-person activities and events with our crafty residents, including workshops, live demonstrations and talks. You can also expect plenty of activity from our permanent luxury boutiques at The Royal Exchange over the course of the week. Let’s introduce you to the confirmed exhibitors at this year’s Makers’ Market:

CASSANDRA SABO: A Montreal-born designer and handweaver who works with natural materials to create luxuriously warm and tactile interior products and lighting (pictured above). She draws inspiration from nature, working with blends of materials that layer colours and textures to create one-of-a-kind, sustainable textiles. Excitingly, Sabo will be launching a new collection of throws and cushions at The Makers’ Market, to add to her West Coast collection of wall art and wallhangings.

Learn more about Cassandra Sabo here.

CARRÉDUCKER This bespoke leather shoemaking company is composed of crafty duo Deborah Carré and James Ducker, who both completed traditional apprenticeships as hand-sewn shoemakers. Carréducker is renowned for its contemporary hand-sewn footwear, as well as for teaching shoemaking enthusiasts and aspiring makers.

Learn more about Carréducker here.

PURLING LONDON : Established in 2012, Purling creates a range of beautifully crafted classic luxury games, with contemporary art and design influences. Purling has collaborated with more than 30 contemporary artists on bespoke games and regularly ships to all corners of the world.

Learn more about Purling here.

THE PANAMA HAT COMPANY: Thirty years ago, Jenny Froehlich visited the small villages of Cuenca in Ecuador, where the image of the Panama hats drying under the Ecuadorian sun and the kindness of the local people were enough for her to instantly fall in love with the art of making Panamas. Today, her business continues its long-standing relationship with Cuenca and in the UK, the factory employs staff as part of get-back-to-work schemes and apprenticeships.

JAMES INCE UMBRELLAS 1805: The Ince family has been crafting umbrellas for over 215 years, making them the oldest umbrella maker and manufacturer in the UK. The company is based in the City, close to The Royal Exchange, and the Square Mile is still one of its biggest markets where it supplies many brands, retailers, professional companies and businesses. Richard Ince is the sixth generation Ince managing director of the family business. He learned his craft as a teenager from the skilled artisans around him, ensuring these same traditional skills that have been handed down through the generations are still being used today.

Learn more about James Ince Umbrellas here.

EL SAMMS: Ceramic artist El Samms studied at the University of Brighton and works from a studio in south London. Samms exclusively premiered their debut collection at The Conran Shop after taking part in the 2019 New Designers show, where they were shortlisted for The Conran Shop’s coveted Design Award.

Learn more about El Samms here.

JESSIE DE SALIS: Artist Jessie de Salis specialises in textile design, creating hand-printed fabrics from her studio in Bristol using analogue screen-printing processes. Her bold and vibrant pieces are inspired by the ever-changing natural world while bringing together emblems of myth and folklore with contemporary design. Using a selection of sustainable locally sourced silks, linens, organic cottons and wools, de Salis has a strong ethical awareness, also using a mix of water-based and biodegradable inks for her designs.

Learn more about Jessie de Salis here.

The Makers’ Market at The Royal Exchange will take place from 10-13 May 2022. Stay tuned to our website and social channels for more updates coming soon.

For the second iteration of The Makers’ Market at The Royal Exchange, in association with London Craft Week, we have introduced a series of workshops and masterclasses with our artisan stallholders, and we’d love for you to take part. Click here to find out more about the workshops taking place from 10-13 May and reserve your place.