This was the message taken away from the recent Craft Alive event at Tamworth – the second one held here by Craft Alive in the past two years.

The number of stalls had grown from last year’s 45 to 60 this year, Craft Alive events manager Rachael Karpman said.

“Support’s definitely grown for the event – which is fantastic,” Miss Karpman said.

About 4000 people streamed through the doors of the Tamworth Regional Entertainment and Conference Centre between September 12 and 14.

On offer were stalls showing scrapbooking, candles, antiques, rockabilly wear and even wine tasting.

“It had it all,” Miss Karpman said.

She said there hadn’t been a craft fair held here for at least 10 years prior to 2013 – but Craft Alive had bought the business from the previous owner and was ramping up not only Craft Alive events but also two other popular ones – Stitches (needlework) and Pages (scrapbooking).

A spokeswoman for Queensland business My Little Bead Shop – which had a stall at Craft Alive in Tamworth – said repurposing items and saving money were big news these days.

“I think craft in general’s getting a big resurgence with upcycling and all the retro things and young people getting into it,” she said.

Miss Karpman said Craft Alive did up to 20 shows a year in Queensland, Victoria and NSW and was hoping to start up in South Australia soon.

A Stitch event, focusing on patchwork, needlework and fabric, would be held in Armidale from February 14 to 15.

“It’s much more dedicated to needlecraft,” she said.

“The New England’s quite strong for needlecraft ... embroidery has become really popular of late, in kids’ clothes and accessories.

“I think Pinterest has had a big influence on people getting in touch with their ‘crafty’ side.” 

Go to www.craftalive.com.au or ring Rachael Karpman on (03) 9682 5133 if you’d like to book a stall in for Stitches in February.