News 2021

See Events 2021 for events until December..
If you wonder who the donkeys are they are Walter and Timothy, our adopted mascots.

Christmas greetings! Past the shortest day so Happy New Year to all hoping this year can get back to normal.

November / December

Nearly there. Stamford Xmas Market was the coldest ever it seemed, to us, but people turned out like troopers. A lot said they knew us and knew where to get our stuff and moved on but it was still worthwhile.. Lamport Hall where the coach house this year had wind coming through at 40 mph and leaving at 50. People are back in masks, Omicron is on the horizon with Europe having a bad time with Delta, both infection and protests
Whatever, people are determined to seize back Christmas this year. Or at least get the shopping done.
Since May, when outdoor events were reopened and July, both, we've had an excellent year. Lost count but it's about 30 events even in such strange times.
In addition the online side with the British Craft House, a sort of UK based version of Etsy but run by firebrand Dottie, has proved brilliant with sales and interest we'd only have dreamed of 5 years ago. Coming home from cold draughty Lamport, one of our favourite and best venues, to find 4 or 5 orders, to be dealt with in the warm with a glass of wine on hand, salutary reminders of our winters years gone by. Flora the cat, who had our full attention last shut down year, complains bitterly that her staff have been AWOL. Time to send Walter and Timothy their carrot dues. HMRC like us to get in touch now; asking if we need any help then it's Xmas. January and February, time to recover for whatever '22 has in store. For sure we're still getting "Things made from old cutlery! What a good idea! Who'd have thought it?"

Flora Paws - the workshop cat

Late October. 16 events done, 11 to go to Xmas.. We'd forgotten what the busy time was like. We keep meeting newcomers to the fairs circuit, nervous about their first steps into this world. We tell them of days gone by with an old wallpaper table and an IKEA curtain, gazebos held down by heavy weights on windy days; that it'll be fine, that most people are kind and pleasant to deal with. We only have one more gazebo event, in December, but it will be in a sheltered place, fingers crossed. The other outdoor event is Stamford Xmas Market on the 28th. Always a good one in the past. Amazing how many locals turn up and say they didn't know it was on. There's some gossip we'd encourage!

Late September. The nights are drawing in but we are having some nice weather. Sandringham was a good event, it usually is with thousands of people enjoying the days out. The pandemic anxiety is fading, masks worn mainly by the potentially vulnerable. Accommodation is at a premium with all the 'staycationers' this year so with the entry fee, diesel and three days away from home it took longer to cover the costs. Maybe commute next time or even skip next year. We have Rockingham Castle near Corby next, which is local. This is our livelihood so combining shops, fairs and online can be a balancing act. This year relatively inexpensive local fairs have been disproportionately rewarding compared to the early years. We wonder if we turned our backs too soon on the little gazebo ones in favour of higher profile, dearer events in fancy marquees. This autumn and winter is mostly booked now. Fingers crossed and hoping we are back to as normal as we can be.

Timothy is 22 today 18 August 21

August. The hot weather hasn't really materialised but so far lucky with the rain. We've done 10 events already and all good ones from Peterborough Cathedral to Nottingham St Mary's, Lincoln Engine Shed to Werrington Village Hall. Lamport Hall was excellent last weekend and we're there again nearer Xmas. Have a look on the Events page, there's plenty to see and the locations are worth a visit even without shopping like Sandringham and Rockingham Castle next month. If you are in Stamford then 20-21 August is a Meet the Maker at the Corn Exchange followed by pretty Langham's Village Market on the 30th.
Phillippa of Bourne Craft Centre is moving next year 2022 summer. see www.stamfordmercury.co.uk/news/new-direction-for-former-family-shoe-shop-9211571/

July already. Weather is a bit nerve racking for gazebo work but so far we've got away with it. We've done a number of fairs and events - see Events page and, so far, we seem to be catching up with the lockdown lost business. People are happy to get out and about. Have a look at the facebook and instagram pages or browse here. Rutland Garden Centre next weekend for 3 days.

A very good day out at Event 2 21 with the Stamford Rotary at Welland Academy. The weather behaved and lots of people turned out.

We have received an order for stock from Barmouth Wales. Pieces for Places closed their second shop where our bracelets were sold. Our first shop back in the day. They bought 6 bracelets on spec and followed up with numerous orders that summer, 2016. Now their jewellery shop SWAX has ordered 11 stone bracelets.

Up and coming Lou Lou's Vintage Fair in Peterborough Cathedral, always a good day out, a fabulous venue and the clothes are very popular too. @2nd May.

Some old friends recommeneded Leadenham Hall who kindly accepted our application for the following day, the 23rd.

Things are looking up!

25th April. First time out at Thoresby Hall NG22 9EP. It was a Saturday, not the best day for shopping especially with folks taking the family out for a post lockdown trip out. Lovely place, they do a craft thing every month. We can't make the next one, at Peterborough Cathedral, Lou Lou's Vintage Fair 22nd May but will probably go again in June. For those still concerned about distancing there're wide open spaces there.

20th April 21

Shops all open again.. The Corn Exchange paid its rent in a day thanks to two lovely ladies. We are at 1012 Instagram followers and have booked Lou Lous Vintage in the lovely Peterborough Cathedral 22nd May and Langham Village Market in August. See Events 2021.

25th March '21

Fingers crossed there's some light at the end of the tunnel. It may be a train coming but nothing surprises lately. All the shops will be open April 12th so we'll have new themes and some new things. It will be like starting again. Getting back on the events horse after so many disappointments last year will be slow but we need the money! The British Craft House has been steady and made a few new friends, Instagram is nearly 1000 followers and seems to be more effective than Facebook for attracting customers where 'Likes' don't translate into £s. Wonder what it is these so called influencers do to make so much money.
Whatever shops open soon and we will arise like a Phoenix. Whether the Fork Van will be with us we're not sure but keep an eye on the Events 2021 page.

Chopstick earrings.
Walter has joined Timothy as CFE mascot in 2021

Sponsor a donkey at
https://www.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk/

March 2021
See our Facebook page or scroll down the the British Craft House. Contact us by FB PM or Contact form.

Lockdown 3 - we can only direct you to our online sites
The British Craft House and Folksy
Also Instagram forkemporium1 and Facebook @forkemporium

February 19th '21. At this time of year we are quiet before the seasons starts in late March. It would normally be a time of building up stock, replenishing the shops who sell our jewellery and going somewhere sunny for a week. As it is we have stock which now needs event stalls, nice chats about the history of old silver plated forks & spoons that languish in cupboards, attics and garages throughout the land. Repeated several times in different places and sometimes two at once.

Normally we would be in a panic to book events before all the spaces went, tossing up between two known good venues and debating whether we really ever want to put up a gazebo in rainy or windy weather ever again. In the early days an expensive event like a Horse Trials was a gamble, wondering if we would cover the entrance fee and, further away, whether a hotel was justified compared to driving back and forth but 9/10 times it worked out just fine.
.2020 brought a pause to such decision making.

Monday 22nd may shed some light on how to proceed but we imagine there will be a flurry of announcements and invitations. Maybe not, there are many still nervous about mixing in crowds of enthusiasts. Hopefully the jab programme has an end in sight. One paper today said all over 40s may be done by April.

Father Christmas brought us another adopt a donkey mascot, Walter, best friend of Timothy who has been a remote mascot of the Fork Emporium for a few years now. They live near Sidmouth, Devon in blissful retirement and complete indifference to the cutlery bending drilling and shaping which sends them the odd pound or two of carrots.
The human family can be viewed with Facebook video messenger, Zoom, Teams, Google Meets and WhatsApp video. What would it have been like 20 years ago in such times? Suspect it would have been seen as a nasty 'flu but we'll never know.

On the British Craft House we are required to publish a Privacy Policy and GPDR notice. As it seems this is an EU requirement which hasn't been ditched we have a statement and link here at the back end of this website.
https://www.forkemporium.com/gpdr--privacy-policy.html

A big thank you to all our customers, shops and outlets. 2020 is not over and it seems it will spill over into 2021 with Tier 4 on our horizon; tantamount to Lockdown 3. We'll be boosting the inventory on The British Craft House and Folksy. Markets and Fairs may return but we usually hibernate now until March when the new season gets going again. We look forward to saying - 'sorry about the interruption.' As normal in the meantime we are happy to turn your old tarnished silver plated (and sometimes sterling silver) cutlery into something beautiful.

Christmas is diminished for many this year. We intend to get together with the family as soon as the coast is clear. While online sales have been welcome, a far bigger range and reach than our old VW Transporter, we look forward to the face to face side of market stalls, marquees and outdoor events and seeing you all. You can find us on Facebook and Instagram so watch out for us there and on our Events page on the website. We normally go to some lovely places, old halls, Sandringham, Burghley House, cathedrals and so on. Worth a visit.
So, Merry Christmas and a much happier New Year to all.

The Deli Hut at Oakham Business Park did well in spite of Lockdown. We had a good Peterborough Cathedral. They had to reduce the number of stalls but we took similar to last year. The online sites are doing well and we're hoping Tier 3 doesn't upset the shops. Bourne needed a top up by the 6th so well done The Craft Centre. Virtual markets have proved a disappointment so next year we'll be hoping for a better plan.

Here at Chris’s fork Emporium we upcycle vintage and antique cutlery into beautiful handmade cutlery jewellery and decorations 🥄🍴#forkemporium #tbch #tbchseller #sendsomelove #tbchdirect #handmadejewelry #upcycledcutlery #repurposedcutlery #shopsmall #shopindie #shopsafe #elycathedralchristmasmarket #cornexchangecafeandshops #shopstamford #stamfordhandmade #handmadewithlove #craftcentrebourne #peterboroughcathedralchristmasmarket — in Stamford, Lincolnshire.

9 November. 2020 perseveres in being tedious. We'd normally be doing 30+ fairs and events during the year and supplying several shops. Thankfully so far we are not affected with virus symptoms and our nearest and dearest (touch wood) are OK. That people are determined to get on with it and get ready for Xmas is starting to show in increasing online sales. Online, apart from being in the warm at this time of year, was not the way we originally wanted to go but it has definitely extended our reach beyond the old Fork VW van.. Meeting the customers, letting them try the things on and telling and hearing tales of Grandma's silver service and odd spoons and forks is far more fun. People are very nice and complimentary online but that personal, face to face contact is something we miss and look forward to revisiting in 2021. On this page, if you look at the menu bar to the left of News you'll see "Lockdown purchase" - self explanatory but we are always contactable by Facebook messaging and contact forms littered about the site.

We will be supplying "Little Blue" in Oundle very soon, a lovely arty crafty shop in a lovely old market town nearby. Also, just before lockdown we left some items with The Deli Hut in Oakham and will be helping them add to the catering atmosphere with some of our decorations and framed cutlery once the light goes green again. For now they will be doing takeaway. Sadly Pearl & Ruby in 2021 will not be operating out of their emporium in Spalding but will still represent us in their new freelance enterprise.

A click takes you to the BCH web page. First visit make take a few seconds to load

Click on each image for full size

Gift cards large and small with either Xmas spoon decoration or fun earrings

Don't forget Tiroir a Couverts and other pages here

1st October - Many traditional seasonal fairs have thrown their hands up in the air and Stamford & Bourne Christmas Lights markets are cancelled. We hope to add to these events below but are pinning hopes on online business like The British Craft House [TBCH] mentioned below to fill the gaps. We'd like a couple more gift shops ideally - see Where to shop above. September was quieter than August - our best performing outlets being the Stamford Corn Exchange Cafe & Shops and Created by Hand, Strelley, Notts. Bourne, Spalding, Wales and France should pick up soon but the re emergence of you-know-what is apparently keeping gift shopping numbers low.

https://www.facebook.com/pg/forkemporium/posts/?ref=page_internal www.facebook.com/pg/forkemporium/posts/?ref=page_internal

PETERBOROUGH CATHEDRAL NOVEMBER - SEE EVENTS PAGE

Pedddle, Folksy and the British Craft House are coming along nicely.

Also revisited Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/forkemporium/ and
Pinterest
https://www.pinterest.co.uk/7cceeaa0/chriss-fork-emporium/

Click images for links

New Pinterest page

Original Pinterest page for inspirations and fork emporium historical images

CREATED BY HAND OPENING THIS WEEKEND JULY 4TH

June 1st 2020 Hover Mouse over or Click for full size - numbered L-R 1-11

May 28th

Stamford Corn Exchange is reopening 15th June for shopping. https://www.facebook.com/stamfordcornexchangecafeandshops/ The Cafe probably later in July. There'll be restricted numbers, much the same as other shops, and a marked in /out route on the floor. At the moment 2 metres or 6 feet apart please until we hear different advice. Hand sanitizer available. As for the Fork Emporium, Sarah has revisited the Summer theme and a whole fresh batch of items can be seen.

Also Bourne Craft Centre https://www.facebook.com/thecraftcentrebourne/ will be open the same day. Small shop so only one in at a time for now. Pearl & Ruby Spalding https://www.facebook.com/pearlandrubyspalding/ will have their guidance on their social media pages.

For those shielding, vulnerable, isolating or wary of shopping we have started an online page with https://folksy.com/shops/forkemporium It is attracting some interest but no sales yet so please have a look and let us know your comments. Only half a dozen bracelets for now. Sizes are described and as usual a potted history where possible. We're always aware people like to try things on so we're not going overboard with online until we start getting interest so please share on Facebook and Instagram.

All fairs and events seem to be cancelled but Sandringham Game & Country still a possibility. Burghley House is closed to the public until next year, the Horse Trials cancelled and their plans for the Xmas craft event not known. We were not attending this year but we've had a few enquiries as to why we missed last year.

May 13th

Over two months since our Milton Keynes weekend, our last but one outing. Traders there then were saying they were down 50% on previous years. John Lewis and Next were empty and Boots were selling out of cold medicines. The evening people still flooded out and packed the bars and restaurants. It must be a ghost town now.
Sarah's been getting in spoons and forks from ebay. They seem to have gone up and we are missing our bulk buying trips out to Antiques and other markets. They are very cash orientated so I imagine they are suffering.
I have added extra workshop space to the log cabin workshop in defiance of Sarah who dislikes my 'Steptoe's Yard' ambitions. It's a bit untidy yet but she'll come round. We bought a home welder with the idea of...well you'll see and I sure wasn't going to do it in the cold, wet and dark!
If you scroll down below you'll see I was thinking about online. A friend Louise from Samfire Handmade Greeting Cards and Gifts
suggested we try Folksy so there are four items there with details etc, a list we will soon add to.
[A list to which we will soon add? - nah!}
Doing it in a sloppy haphazard way is not an option and we are reminded why we didn't do online before.
We imagined in serious times that cutlery jewellery is probably not a number one priority but we've been looking at The Great Return with a view to Xmas and, because we haven't been driving poor spoons through our Fork abbattoir, we are down to our last few dozen. We made over a thousand last year! Popped on Facebook we've sold a few so perhaps people need cheering up and are feeling like a bit of retail therapy!
So far, Sandringham Game & Country Show is still on but who knows? Please keep an eye on Facebook CFE and hope to see you soon!

April 5th

All shops closed down mostly from the beginning of the lockdown. All fairs cancelled or postponed until at least September. No surprise, we imagine most people have more priorities and concerns now. Still not sure about online for that reason (see March 14th below) The log cabin is extended now so wooden things and new projects can be done out of the rain. Mainly done on sunny warm days before. Sarah has a lot of stock ready for the, fingers crossed, eventual rush / return to normality and for once has the leisure to be super creative again. She's been shopping for our elderly neighbour and her own parents and volunteered for the NHS Help group. I'm advised to stay at home; for the protection of greedy shopkeepers, clustering teenagers and those who don't heed the distancing advice. My folks, with hindsight, wisely exited this arena years ago and I view my grandchildren through a video app which seems as far away as if I were on Mars or the International Space Station. Still, it won't matter if we never sell a single item again if it means our customers and families, past present and future, survive this dreadful time in one piece.

March 18th

Had some cancellations so nothing until April 18th in Stamford on the Meadows. Shops are still going for now. <<>>

March 14th 2020

In view of current events we are thinking of additionally offering our things online via a shopping page. Problem is people need to try things on and they have a bewildering variety of wrist and finger sizes so the to and fro of posting back and forth seems frustrating on all sides. We can offer a ring sizer but there are many online jewellers already offering one. A ring needs to go over the knuckle but still fit snugly. Bracelets need to be a loose fit but not so loose they fall down over the hand too far nor so tight the magnetic catch pops open. A loose fit measurement with a tailors tape measure or a piece of string following these guidelines should be OK. If there's enough demand we can try it.

As for the hygiene side, if we actually get customers at our stalls, we are in a contact situation. At the outset we can steam the jewellery but it will eventually be handled as a trading day goes by. We have sanitizer gel on our side of the counter and will provide some customer side. Looking into an autoclave, a steamer used in hairdressers for combs, scissors etc but there is not always 240V AC so would need to be battery powered.
Contactless card payments would be appreciated on all sides but we'll never turn away a cash sale! Notes and coins can be sanitized too!
Footfall is lower judging by the weekly market reports but could be seasonal. We went to an indoor mall recently to a fair we had never done before and reports from old hands said takings were down 50%. The visible number of general shoppers seemed busy enough and no masks were seen. Masks are for the infected to prevent sneezes and coughs spraying out over others. The mask material is not a close enough filter to stop a virus going through is the advice.
Advice from event organisers is they are not closed down yet. Gatherings of 500 will be OK and the outdoor events will be safer than indoor. As the weather improves the spread is likely to slow down too.

It looks like a difficult period for all in the short term not helped by the headlines and we hope it will blow over with minimum casualties. For now we will take sensible precautions to safeguard both sides of our table and hope to see you at the events on our Events 2020 page
Chris & Sarah

Corn Exchange Window for Valentines

Happy New Year !

For now we've changed the Corn Exchange Cafe & Shops cabinets around (two now!) and Cabinet two has sale items to browse.

We've applied for Kelmarsh Country Show and Lamport Hall in March and April so watch the Events 2020 page!

We will be restocking Bourne, Spalding and Strelley. Sadly the White Robin are leaving us but we hope to try the Antiques Store in Grantham again with a different format. We never found glass cabinets satisfactory, people don't seem to like reaching in, so hopefully some sort of vintage wooden arrangement like a dresser. We'll see!

Events 2020
go to >> Events Page

Spalding, Pearl & Ruby's first anniversary - congratulations!

Jason - cos he's a Transporter - not everybody gets it. D'arcy and Vince have been proposed but it's still open...!

Vintage cutlery themed display frames. Customised hooks - choose your own style - even send us your tarnished bits and pieces hiding in your attic, garage, that cupboard full of ghosts under the stairs or the old shed with the door that won't open for undergrowth.