Shetland Arts & Crafts hold their annual Christmas Craft Fair this weekend where over 25 local makers will be selling both traditional and contemporary crafts inspired by Shetland’s scenery, heritage and culture.

The work on sale at the fair at Clickimin Centre will include knitwear and textiles, jewellery, leatherwork, woodcraft, furniture, glass, hand painted tiles and musical instruments.

Orders can be placed for traditional straw-backed chairs made in Scottish elm, oak or ash and finished with locally grown Scottish oats by John Hawick, or Fair Isle straw back chairs by Stewart Thomson in a design unique to the island.

The unusual Burra bears by Wendy Inskster are produced from recycled Fair Isle knitwear and each comes with his own name and personality. 

Inspired by the weather and mythology Mary T Designs has developed a range of felted Shetland wool hats and scarves.

A highlight of the fair will be the Great Gravit, a knitted scarf which was started by the Association at the event last year and has spent the last year travelling around Shetland.  It is now over 18 metres long and the scarf, which receives free travel on all flights and ferries, looks set to spend a second year touring the islands.

The Christmas Craft Fair is on at the Clickimin Centre from 4 to 6 November 2005.  Opening hours Friday 7 to 9pm, Saturday 10am to 6pm and Sunday 11am to 5pm.  Admission £2, concessions £1.

Find out more about the members of Shetland Arts & Crafts Association.