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Event Details Living Crafts is looking forward to its 34th anniversary with a spectacular gathering of many of the finest craftsmen and women from all over the British Isles. Whilst specialist gift shops and galleries feature the work of a handful of local craftspeople, the Festival of Living Crafts gives you the opportunity to meet literally hundreds.
There is a wide selection of both contemporary and traditional art and craft on display, from studio ceramics, stained glass and turned wood to furniture, millinery and leather goods. There will be beautiful gold & silver, costume and fun jewellery, artists working in watercolours and oils and some stunning photography. Textiles and fashions will be represented with a splendid choice for both adults and children, as well as a marquee dedicated to food and drink, offering a selection of mouthwatering fayre.
Get Organized & Get Started! New for 2008 is the ‘Art in Herts’ Marquee with an opportunity for local art and craft groups to demonstrate, inform and entice new members so come and find out what’s going on where you live.
A lively atmosphere will be created throughout the event by jazz bands, an enchanting puppet theatre as well as maypole dancing on Thursday and Friday. Additional entertainment is provided over the weekend with morris dancing, a brass band and Punch & Judy shows for the children. Choirs, including a French guest choir "A Coeur Joie Arabesque" and the local group Singing for Pleasure will be performin during the show on Sunday. A variety of delicious refreshments will be also be available on site.
Hatfield House and its beautiful West Garden are only a short walk away and admission to the famous West Garden is included in your ticket to Living Crafts. In these beautiful surroundings close to the Old Palace, childhood home to Elizabeth I, you will find the 17th Century scented garden, the herb garden and the knot garden. The adjoining wilderness areas will be at their best during Living Crafts with the masses of naturalized daffodils. For a small charge of £3.00 for adults and £2.00 for concessions you can tour historic Hatfield House, the home of the Marquess of Salisbury with its superb examples of Jacobean craftsmanship. The With such an enormous range of crafts and activities represented, there really is something for everyone.
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Crafts Galore
Country crafts, such an important part of our heritage, feature strongly too with displays of green wood working, besom making, stick dressing, woodland conservation crafts and bodging. With the extra space on our new showground there will be more spectacular displays from working steam engines. Intricate love spoons will be carved, osier and willow baskets woven and cider pressed. A mock roof will be erected to enable thatching skills to come to life and other demonstrations will range from leatherworking and bee keeping to paintbrush making and chainsaw carving.
Many national and regional organisations will also be taking part in Living Crafts and these include blacksmiths from The British Artist Blacksmiths Association, promoting their craft with an emphasis on skill and contemporary design. Literally dozens of smiths will be working over blazing forges during these four days. Members of The British Woodcarvers Association will be presenting a stunning display of work and giving carving demonstrations throughout the show. The Alban Lace makers will be presenting a special display of lace, The Hertfordshire Branch of the Embroiderers Guild will be encouraging you to find out more, the Guild of Silk Painters and the International Felt makers Association will also be taking part with some ‘hands-on’ opportunities.
Sheer Entertainment
Hatfield House
House and Garden are well worth a visit and a shuttle bus will be running between the showground and the House throughout the day. There are also more than 1000 acres of parkland with woodland trails to explore including a childrens’ adventure area. More details can found at 
