Schedule · Saturday 17 April 2027
The day, stage by stage.
Sixteen sessions across three rooms, all on one floor of The Wool Exchange. Pick a stage and stay, or move between them. Workshops have 30 places each and are booked at the help desk on the day.
08:30
Doors and coffee
Badges at the help desk, pastries in the courtyard.
09:30
Welcome
A short opening in the Main Hall.
12:30
Lunch
Hot lunch for everyone, with vegan and gluten-free options.
17:15
Close
Last session ends. The makers’ market stays open.
18:00
After-party
A drink on us and a DJ in the Main Hall until 9pm.
Stage 1
Main Hall
Talks and panels for everyone. 450 seats, step-free, with live captions.
09:30
–
09:45
Talk
Welcome to Northern Makers Day
The organising team
A quick hello, the plan for the day and where to find the coffee.
09:45
–
10:25
Talk
From kitchen table to 400 stockists
Hana Okafor, Okafor & Thread
The honest story of growing a textile studio, with real numbers.
10:40
–
11:20
Talk
Pricing handmade work so it pays you
Callum Reid, Reid Leatherworks
A pricing formula that counts your time, with worked examples.
11:40
–
12:30
Panel
Selling online in 2027: what's working
Tomas Varga, Dev Sandhu and guests
Marketplaces, your own shop and social selling, compared by people who use them.
13:30
–
14:20
Panel
What buyers actually want
Margaret Holt and three shop owners
Independent shop owners on what makes them stock a new maker.
14:40
–
15:30
Talk
Five makers, five minutes
Lightning talks
Five quick talks from makers in the region, chosen from this year's open call.
16:30
–
17:15
Talk
Small on purpose
Closing talk
Why staying small can be the plan, not a failure to grow.
Stage 2
The Loft
Smaller, practical talks on money, selling and marketing. 120 seats.
10:00
–
10:40
Talk
Tax and VAT for makers, in plain English
Priya Castell, Castell & Co.
Self-employment, records, expenses and when VAT applies.
11:00
–
11:40
Talk
Wholesale without tears
Dev Sandhu, Bramble Candle Co.
Line sheets, minimum orders, payment terms and following up.
13:30
–
14:10
Talk
Instagram is not a business plan
Tomas Varga, Varga Studio
A mailing list, a website that sells and social media in an hour a week.
14:30
–
15:10
Panel
Craft fairs and markets: are they worth it?
Callum Reid and guests
Stall fees, footfall and what a good day actually takes.
15:30
–
16:10
Talk
Getting press without a PR budget
Rosa Finch, magazine editor
How to pitch a story editors want to run, and when to send it.
Stage 3
Workshop Room
Hands-on sessions at tables. 30 places each, booked at the help desk.
10:00
–
11:30
Workshop
Product photography with your phone
Esme Larkin, Larkin Press
Shoot your own products with a phone, card and daylight. 30 places.
11:45
–
12:30
Workshop
A one-page business plan
The organising team
Fill in a one-page plan for the year ahead, with help on hand.
13:30
–
15:00
Workshop
Running a pop-up that sells
Joe Whitaker, Whitaker Clay
Choose the right event, set up a stall people walk into and count the cost.
15:30
–
16:30
Workshop
Portfolio and price list clinic
Margaret Holt and guest buyers
Ten-minute one-to-one reviews of your range, prices and line sheet.
Sat 17 April 2027 · Stannerford
Seen enough? Get your ticket before they go.
One day of talks, workshops and good company for people who make things and sell them. Lunch and the after-party are included.