Last Sunday I made my way south to visit Deptford Cockpit Arts for the first time. It was Cockpit Arts’ 25th birthday so it wasn’t to be missed. I used to work (yikes, ten years + ago!) on the doors at the ‘open studio’ weekends of the original Cockpit Arts up in Holborn so I was in no way new to the organisation or the studio set up. I was not disappointed. There is still an impressive array of crafts on show featuring all areas from jewellery, textiles, ceramics, glass, and even guitar making and all that lies in between. Cockpit plays a very important part in the launching of new designer makers- they are incredibly supportive of creative businesses, acting like an incubator to help creative talent launch and progress their businesses without compromising the design and creative processes. They offer one-to-one business development coaching, workshops and events. Lunch was super too! Local business Hand Made Food was on site offering organic, home-made food in their pop up cafe. Creative and interesting meals with fresh, British-sourced produce.

It was great to meet all the designer makers based down there in rainy Deptford and very exciting to see all the beautiful things being made. For this week’s shopping page, I have compiled my top nine products from the designers at Cockpit Arts. Here they are…

1.) make your own Character Bear by Sian Zeng 2.) rainbow stripe throw, £180, Row Pinto 3.) Acacia Square hand-printed cushions, £52.50 each, Jen Rowland 4.) recycled paper ring by Clara Breen 5.) Poison Pen by Katharine Morling 6.) London lampshade in cream and black,£48, Lush Designs 7.) Blue-Tit, £182, Abigail Brown 8.) pods and vases, £120-160, Sophie Cook 9.) ‘Festival of Britain at Southbank’ wallpaper by Lizzie Allen