Monthly market showcasing best of Ayrshire artists and makers is back next month

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Monthly markets showcasing the best crafters and makers Ayrshire has to offer are back next month. The Handmade in Ayr Markets are starting again in the Grain Exchange on Ayr High Street from Saturday, March 5 and will run throughout the year.Stalls including handcrafted jewellery, original artwork and prints, candles, cards, and other handmade bespoke products will be offer.And this year, alongside the monthly markets, a two-day summer special Handmade in Ayr Market will take place on July 30 and 31 at the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum, with 20 creative makers featuring on both days.

The Handmade in Ayr Market was established and organised by glass maker Leona Stewart, of Leona Stewart Glass, who is passionate about her artform and her home town of Ayr.

She spotted a gap in a platform to promote quality local art and crafts to a wide audience, and jumped at the chance to work with South Ayrshire Council and use the refurbished Grain Exchange as a base for the monthly markets.Leona said: “The markets in The Grain Exchange bring a ‘shop local’ opportunity to a High Street dominated by large national retail chains, and the chance to support Ayrshire creatives, artists and makers.“During the pandemic and lockdowns the Handmade in Ayr Markets moved to online events to continue to support as many local artists and makers as possible.“So it is very exciting to have dates for the markets planned for all of 2022, including the special summer weekend event at the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum.”The Handmade in Ayr Market on March 5 will take place from 10am to 4.30pm.Don't miss the latest Ayrshire headlines –sign up to our free daily newsletter here