Gifted market full of festive ideas

The popular two-day Gifted Contemporary Christmas Market filled the area around Sleaford's National Centre for Craft and Design at the weekend celebrating the event's fifth anniversary.
Gifted Christmas Market at National Centre for Craft and Design. Rhubarb Theatre. L-R Kirsty Mead, Della Brett, James Hall. EMN-160512-104308001Gifted Christmas Market at National Centre for Craft and Design. Rhubarb Theatre. L-R Kirsty Mead, Della Brett, James Hall. EMN-160512-104308001
Gifted Christmas Market at National Centre for Craft and Design. Rhubarb Theatre. L-R Kirsty Mead, Della Brett, James Hall. EMN-160512-104308001

The special advent weekend hosted craft makers based locally and from across the UK, selling jewellery, ceramics, textiles, glass and tableware in a marquee to the rear of the centre.

At the same time, the annual food market offered a variety of local and specialist food, from speciality coffee beans to tasty fudge, and there was a fun packed programme of workshops, demonstrations, musicians and theatre, including performances by the Rhubarb Theatre and the Cranwell Military Wives Choir.

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The Hub Writers were selling their new charity book and Lincolnshire Skies calendars, while the NCCD’s own cafe was kept busy selling hot drinks and snacks in the courtyard.

Gifted Christmas Market at National Centre for Craft and Design. L-R Tina Lee with Sleaford Hub Writers' 2nd book, Jan Spooner with Lincolnshire Skies 2017 calendar. Both being sold in aid of Lincs Air Ambulance. EMN-160512-104252001Gifted Christmas Market at National Centre for Craft and Design. L-R Tina Lee with Sleaford Hub Writers' 2nd book, Jan Spooner with Lincolnshire Skies 2017 calendar. Both being sold in aid of Lincs Air Ambulance. EMN-160512-104252001
Gifted Christmas Market at National Centre for Craft and Design. L-R Tina Lee with Sleaford Hub Writers' 2nd book, Jan Spooner with Lincolnshire Skies 2017 calendar. Both being sold in aid of Lincs Air Ambulance. EMN-160512-104252001

There were drop-in activities for all ages designed to inspire creativity in everyone and included gilding a festive decoration with WH Conservation and the chance to decorate crockery items with local ceramicist, Kate McBride.

Textile exhibitions were also available to view.