Quality high for festival market

Jo Pearson (left) and Jessica Soutar Baron, in Hastings with posters for the Fruit Bowl Craft Jam. Photo / Glenn Taylor

Whether you plan to knock out all of your Christmas shopping at once or meet friends to browse the stalls - Fruit Bowl Craft Jam has something to offer.

A huge selection of crafters, artists and designers from all over the country will gather at Hawke's Bay Opera House Plaza on Saturday, November 30 and Sunday, December 1.

"We have about 70 stallholders, which is slightly up on previous years," event organiser Jessica Soutar Barron said. "We can only fit about 70 in there but we have had a lot more applicants than that so we think the quality will be a lot higher."

The event has been running for the past four years and was started by Mrs Soutar Barron and Jo Pearson, keen crafters who also own Hastings shop Coco & Co.

This year people can expect to find a large range of quality handmade jewellery as well as an interesting array of items to suit all price points.

"We have got crafters from outside the area and some that have not been here since the first year, so there will be a real mix."

A night market will open from 4pm to 9pm on Saturday, so parents can get along for a spot of shopping and glass of wine, or Sunday from 9am to 2pm for a more family focussed day out.

"There will be face painting and story telling and we have music this year, which will be kid oriented on the Sunday and more adult focussed on Saturday."

Entry is free and Opera Kitchen cafe will be open both days for wine, coffee, lunch or a tasty sweet treat.

The addition of a silent auction is new for 2013 and will raise money for a good cause, while a bake off, which must incorporate some form of jam is back by popular demand.

Finally, people are encouraged to show off their skills in an inaugural speed crafting competition, where they will be given fabric, a sewing machine and 15 minutes to make something impressive.

"There will be lots going on, a fiesta of colour, laughter and craft."