For the 44th year running, the prestigious Exeter Craft Festival is once again celebrating the talented craftsmen and artists of the Southwest on the Cathedral Green on 4th, 5th, and 6th July.

The beautiful setting complements the high quality and originality of the work that will be exhibited by over 100 makers. So, let’s have a look at what will be on offer for you to choose to treasure for yourself or as a special gift.

You might be drawn to grace your garden with a free-flowing, three-dimensional wire sculpture by Devon Guild of Craftsmen member Jane Clift, who won the People’s Choice Award for her  ‘Swallows on the Wing’ at the Cockington Sculpture Trail last summer. Or you could pick up a solid oak button travel swing by James Wallwork to take on your rambles. You just pick your tree, secure the swing (fixings provided) . . . and swing away!

Takahashi McGil is a husband a wife team who make furniture and homeware in wood, and their graceful bud vases are certain to be coveted.

If you or someone you know is definitely not a shrinking violet, check out Sheila Clayton’s dramatic silver and semi-precious stone jewellery. Sheila tells me that she was recently invited to exhibit her jewellery in the RAMM shop, linked to their gallery show ‘Outrageous Ornamentation’. Entirely appropriate!

Perhaps, as an unusual gift for a baby, a child, or a bridesmaid, you might like a sterling silver bubble blower, which can be personalized to order, made by jeweller Yvonne Doney.

Quirkily titled ‘My Bear Hands’ is run by jewellery maker Sally Holyoak, who sets tiny drawings in resin to tell stories and become miniature wearable pieces of art, while Helen Gorick is a lampwork artist who makes gorgeous glass beads. She has had her work featured in several books and has written tutorials for national magazines.

There is more beautiful glasswork to tempt you, from jewellery by Chilliglass and Amanda Copson and fused glass artwork by Paul and Claire Heddon, Tracey Morriss, and Blueberry Glass, to stained glass garden installations from Paul Trick.

Do not miss artistic blacksmith Georgina Richard’s stunning work, which includes fire-pits, boot-racks, horseshoe wine racks, chandeliers and lighting structures.

There is art a-plenty, too: seascapes from Gail Morris in oils and from James Lewis in acrylics, humour from Mark Denman, stoical moorland animals from print-maker Marielle Ebner-Rijke, drawings and watercolours of local scenes, historical architecture and wildlife from Patrick King, and ‘cheerful, uplifting paintings’ from mixed media artist Cheryl Reeves, as well as colourful abstracts from Sohret Basaran Howells.

Ceramics are well represented, with both domestic and decorative items. See Kevin Mansfield’s wonderful humpback whales, Olwyn KW’s elegant carved porcelain pots, Mark Morel’s clocks and hanging tiles, Emma West’s textile and flora impressions in porcelain, and the desirable tealight cottages and little boats from Alison Miles.

Textiles include delightful children’s clothing from Beth Symons, soft and warm cardigans, wraps and tunics made by Sophie Cadogan, bags and holdalls from Lyn Potts, knitwear using British wool and alpaca by Heather Firby, and silks from Michael Watkins and Deborah Flack. There are also household items such as cushions and lampshades from Bluebell Love (Liz Harwood) and Grace and Favour Home (Rachael Rowe), decorative mythical folk dolls from Woodland Fairytale, and textile art from Chloe Mortimer and Alison Whateley.

There is so much more: aromatics with which to pamper yourself, leather, photography, papercraft, plants for your garden, delicious marmalade, and bonsai trees made from wire. No watering required!

Entry is free, as is the family-friendly entertainment that is provided throughout the three days, and there are refreshments available from on-site vendors.

For more information see our website: www.exetercraftfestival.co.uk