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Keith Brymer Jones, Jim Parkyn and James Otter are just a few of the major names signed up to host live sessions at the Digital Craft Festival, taking place from 27-29 November at www.digitalcraftfestival.co.uk with over 120 curated, contemporary makers from across the world selling to an International audience.
Sarah James, Craft Festival Director, remarks: “This is the second Digital Craft Festival we will be hosting this year after receiving unprecedented feedback from our makers wanting to rebook. The international response we received from visitors was so overwhelming, that we’re returning with even more free interactive show content.” 

Key speakers

Known as the teary-eyed judge we have all come to love on The Great Pottery Throw Down, Keith Brymer Jones, will be taking part in a live Q&A with Craft Director, Sarah James on Zoom, chatting about all things craft, pottery and his iconic word designs which are partly due to his dyslexia. Keith’s co-judge, Sue Pryke, will also be attending as one of the makers at this year’s festival.  
Ever wanted to know how plasticine has created some of our most loved characters of all time or what’s involved in sculpting beaks and chicken bums? Aardman Animation Senior Model Maker and Animator, Jim Parkyn, who is responsible for creating some of the UK’s most loved Plasticine characters – from Shaun the Sheep to Chicken Run – will reveal some secrets of the trade while hosting a live demonstration and Q&A session.  
James Otter, master craftsman, award-winning wooden surfboard maker and newly published author, will be chatting with Sarah James in a live Q&A from his workshop in Cornwall, Otter Surfboards. They’ll be talking about his custom-made wooden surfboards, his connection to wood, which fuels his inner creativity, and of course his latest book Do Make to rediscover the joy in making.
Designing with the environment in mind has always been a key challenge. Mark Shayler eco-innovator, public speaker and Director at Ape, an innovation and sustainable consultancy, will be lifting the lid on how we can truly design with climate in mind.

Festival highlights

As well as being a virtual festival where you can meet and buy from 120 of the finest UK craft makers showcasing their work, across the three days there will be a hand-picked selection of makers running interactive workshops, craft demonstrations and show and tell features.
Plus, a selection of in-depth interviews ‘Meet the Master Makers’, which promises to be particularly engaging, focusing on a range of media from wood, ceramics, textiles and metal. This is the perfect chance to learn something new and meet some great new people.
For younger visitors and families, there will be an exciting portrait competition, judged by Jim Parkyn, where you can let your imagination run wild and experiment with textiles, recycled materials, collages – anything goes – to create any type of portrait you see fit. For those of you wanting something a little more active, there will be live, online yoga workshops, live Qigong sessions and even guidance to running from beginners from the Secret Run Club. Not forgetting the Kitchen Disco presented by Print Garage.

James adds: “The Digital Craft Festival provides an incredibly important platform to champion all these small brilliant businesses that I work with, and one of the advantages of it being hosted online is that visitors can join from anywhere in the world, so come along on Friday 27 November as we open our virtual doors – and join in the free interactive workshops, hear from the makers and finish off your day by purchasing an amazing piece of craft.”

For further information, click here.