Keep It Local is ran by Husband and Wife team Andy and Laura. Since starting an Instagram page dedicated to all things local, they have now become networkers putting on events, collaborators with local businesses and have even set up their own travelling market.

The market at Sneyd Arms was the first one for Keep It Local and I was very lucky to be able to secure my spot.

Myself and my sister-in-law went to the beautiful venue which is an old stables called the Knights Templar, newly renovated by Sneyd Arms and had a wonderful afternoon chatting to locals and sharing my Halloween and Autumn pieces.

The venue meant for an even smaller table space than normal, so my sister-in-law and I had to do a bit of a re-jig of the usual set-up to make sure it looked good and we were both really pleased with the result.

For a first market, Laura and Andy did so well. The event ran smoothly, they'd found a hidden gem of a location and as a stall holder; we couldn't have asked for more.

In May, I was contacted by the lovely Emily of Great Bear Tattoo who asked if I wanted to take part in their first ever Print, Paint and Craft Day at their lovely studio in Tunstall.

As a tattoo virgin, I'd never come across Great Bear Tattoo and their new studio before. They have such a wonderful workshop space and host lots of amazing events. This was their first 'market' day event and it was fab. Lovely footfall, lovely people and lovely venue.

Emily and Callan are both artists and have their own products they produce and sell so they had lots of lovely pieces available alongside the other makers too.

It's full of character but Emily and Callan have made it really modern. I had such a fab day and cannot wait for the next one.

I seem to always mention the weather whenever I'm remembering markets, but it really does make a difference to a stall holders day.

For this gorgeous summer market at my most favourite venue, I took all the pieces of stock I had left and displayed it in my new layout.

I've been struggling with stock lately...which is a good problem to have in one way, but not in another. It's meant lots of making lately but it did mean I felt my stall wasn't as lovely and full as always. Nonetheless, it was a fabulous weekend...even if the gazebo did break. Luckily it was at the end of the weekend and not at the start.

Another two wonderful summery days amongst the strawberry tunnels at the lovely Canalside Farm market.

It was the weekend before the Platinum Jubilee weekend so as you can see, I had adorned my Jubilee earrings for the occasion.

I also had some new strawberry designs and union flag earrings for the market too which all sold out (thank you!).

The first day was lovely and warm and my husband decided to pick some strawberries of his own too. The second was a little cooler with a bit of drizzle in the morning.

This didn't put off the visitors though including a lovely party of people celebrating a 40th birthday.

The second day of the market also fell on the 2nd year anniversary of Wear it Quirky which was  very exciting!

What a lovely place to celebrate!

For this market I was next to Orla Hope Art and Aunty B's Creations with Rae Downey just a little bit down.

The organisers of the Castle Artisan Market also now hold events at Piccadilly in Hanley, Stoke on Trent.

I had planned to go to another market at Piccadilly earlier in the year and unfortunately caught Covid-19 and was unable to attend. This time though, I was well and able to attend and I had a lovely day speaking to lots of locals.

For this event, I had a special stand set up for my Stokie pieces including bottle kiln earrings and bottle kiln necklaces from the Stokie Collection.

I also expanded my stall a bit too which was perfect as it gave me much more space and it made it easier for me to speak to and help customers. I will definitely be setting up like this again.

I will hopefully be able to take part in the market again in the future.