Fabulous Fair for Feathered Friends :)

I like that title, I shall just sit for a moment and enjoy the alliteration - yes I am a geek........

Saturday saw the very first RSPB NI Winter Craft Fair, hurrah! It was held in the Headquarters at Belvoir Park Forest where I thought I had visited before but turns out I hadn't. There is nothing nicer than walking into a strange place, feeling nervous and disorientated and then hearing your name come out of a lovely friendly person's mouth and receiving a hearty handshake. I have been so lucky with my fairs this Christmas that that has been the case each time, Laura of the RSPB was no exception. Oh my she is lovely. I was instantly sure that this was going to be a nice experience.

The room was fab, so much cool info on the boards around and right behind my table was a huge display of taxidermy wildlife of the area. Wow, a lot of effort had gone into that and it made for the best backdrop. I also had a radiator all to myself; oops, I was warm and cosy and everyone else was chilly. But boy did we appreciate that 'chilly' room when compared to outside - wow it was mind numbingly cold. A HUGE thank you for all the free coffee and tea and to all the volunteers who were out there all day directing people - they were a hardy bunch.

So this was the first craft fair of it's type ever and as such it was opened by the Deputy Mayor (who got to cut tinsel instead of a ribbon which I thought was cool) and the Director of the RSPB NI - both of whom were lovely. I had a great chat with the Director about Ecotherapy (if you read my other Allotment blog you'll know how fabulous it was for me to share tales of success in that area).

There's no real link between these 2 photos other than the Deputy Mayor was there and my Pincushion Corsages were there and both seemed to go down rather well :)

We had lots of visitors, of all ages and nationalities and everyone was so friendly I would gladly have taken them home. Nature lovers seem to be my kind of people; I love to wear pretty dresses and have make up on and my hair up but give me a dirty trail, walking boots, my camera and cosy knitted hats and I can't stop smiling ~ nature always wins!!

I met some lovely fellow arty/crafty people too. Particularly Clever Cakes Gift Ideas' Catherine and her Mum. They make crocheting look so easy and their creations are so cool and funky - check it out. They are also a great laugh, the pair of them and made the day so much fun. I didn't get a photo of them or their stall as I always ended up chattering away and forgot *blush*

And Scents and Stitchability, oh she makes the most adorable little things I wanted to buy the table! I could happily have owned every little owl she created, they are so cute and they sold really well, I did by something but I can't say what because it's a present...

Oh, this post could go on for ages; there was Black Grouse samples (YES please), bird cakes made, friendly interactions and giggles, great ham tasters from the lovely Spanish gent beside us.... I could happily bore you stupid. But I guess what I am trying to say is.....I had a great time, even though I didn't win the raffle ;)

Thank you to everyone involved especially when it was so cold and so much craziness was happening in Belfast with protests etc (know doubt you have seen it on the news *blush*). It was wonderful to see so many people come out and support us - I look forward to next year!

RSPB NI website
RSPB NI Facebook page