We decided to run MMFH on donations. So if you enjoyed any of our events or content over the last 12 months and would like to buy us a slice of birthday cake or thank you coffee, please do so via the link below. We are so grateful for all of you who have done so already 🙂

A little message from Alice…

What to say about my MMFH experience, how to put it in words…? When I think about the last 12 months I think about the journey of emotions. The initial panic and fear followed by the hope and optimism when jumping into my first MMFH. The growing sense of community, friendship and support as my MMFH journey continued…the invaluable growth of confidence in what I had to offer both as a maker and as a co-runner of MMFH. These are all very hard things to summarise in a way that does all that (& more) justice.

Being a part of MMFH has helped me feel connected to a tribe in a way I haven’t outside of acting before. I have been inspired and motivated, exhausted and entertained.

Helping run MMFH has been a life line, inspired by all of you and the vast and varied talent that is often hidden outside of creative circles. It has also been an amazing outlet for my creativity…Andy received many a text from me starting ‘I’ve had a mad idea…’ and he entertained every one, working with me to make them a viable reality. He told me not to thank him in this but you should know he is exactly as he seems, an incredible person to work with, encouraging, empowering and always available for whatever the tone of chat. The overwhelmingly positive experience I have had is in huge part down to him. I know and am so grateful that we will be friends for years to come.

In a way it doesn’t feel like the end because communities are living breathing entities and I feel certain this community will continue to support each other, challenge each other and ultimately ensure no one feels alone navigating the small indie business path. It is simply the next chapter, one that doesn’t need Andy and I to navigate but instead we can both come along for the next part of the ride and that excites me far more than it could possibly sadden me. 

Thank you to each and every one of you for the support, enthusiasm and cheerleading, you made an unexpected knitter in Amsterdam feel so very welcomed…and until we meet in person (still hoping for an in-person MMFH Market one day) I am raising a glass to you all!

Alice x

---

A little note from Andy…

It will come as no surprise to most of you that I would find it much easier to speak these words to you rather than type them. But here I am, in my home, with a small happy tear in corner of my eye (#MakeAndyCry) sharing what MMFH has meant to me.

In early 2020, like many of you, I was facing the reality that my life, my job, my reason to ‘be’  as an artist, print maker and creative was totally wiped out. Overnight the world became an uncertain place full of suffering and loss for so many. In many ways I felt like a child who wanted guidance, help and support. Over the past year MMFH has offered me an arm around my shoulder, and I think it did the same for many of you too.

In late March, I sat in my kitchen looking into my garden and wondered what I could do. I saw my market stall leaning against my studio and said out loud ‘I’m going to put up my stall, in-spite of this virus, and show the world that I am still here’. I quickly phoned round fellow makers and the response was ‘This is bonkers… I’m in!’. Felicity of @anniehoneystitches summed it up perfectly when she said ‘It’s like playing at shops when you’re a kid’, and so MMFH was born.

There are so many people who have made MMFH possible. From @lovely_lydia at our first market, to ambassador @_lydiamiriam, Mrs G co-organiser Alice @woolwhiskers. Then of course there are the makers, with your relentless enthusiasm throughout this year you have truly energised and uplifted me to keep going. And then there are the shoppers and browsers who have supported us time and time again. Thank you to you all ?

The hairs on the back of my neck stand up when I think about all the creative folk who have stepped out of their comfort zone to share their story. It’s been a privilege to create a platform that has empowered so many of you to find your voice and hear you share your joy with the world. At a new and daunting time for all you felt confident to share that moment with us and I will cherish this always.

What can I say about Alice? This past year I’ve had the privilege to work with Alice on making MMFH come to life. Alice always shines a light on others before herself, a completely selfless person who would often stop to ask if I was OK. She came up with lots of mad ideas that became brilliant realities through her creativity, hard work and unwavering desire to help others. It’s been a pleasure getting to know Alice, a brilliant maker, an awesome person… a friend for life ?

Makers Market From Home has been amazing. It has given me a sense of purpose and helped me feel relevant and hopeful. I have made friends with so many who I look forward to meeting in person over the coming years. In a time of great division in the world MMFH has brought people together and shown me that we are not all that different from each other, that people are kind and generous, and that when we work together we can achieve anything, I’m truly excited to see what the future holds for us all!

Thank you for the happiness you brought into my life ?

Andy x

---

A little bit about Makers Market From Home…

Our happy little creative community of makers and creatives emerged in early 2020. Starting from a place and time where so many of us needed somewhere to showcase our creations it grew into a series of virtual markets with hundreds of makers taking part and many customers supporting us.

Makers Market From Home is now run by Andy & Alice alongside their own busy creative practices.

Find out how you can still visit our online market and shop with independent makers.