 | Five years ago today we opened the doors on our first ever Muswell Hill Creatives event - an Open House on Hillfield Park in Muswell Hill. Good friend of the group, Lorraine Pond kindly opened her house to over 200 visitors and we exhibited work by: Jess Albert; Lito Apostolakou; Karine Gulliksen; Liz Harrap Horton; Isabella Lepri; Tania McLaren; Zoe Norfolk; Rachel Orme; Michele Wyckoff Smith and Shelley Zetuni. This was just six weeks after the founder Rachael Booth-Clibborn suggested the idea of a collective over a coffee at photographer Zoe Norfolk's house with other like minded creative friends. It was here that the idea of bringing together a group of talented locals to act as a forum for creative ideas, to mentor each other, establish local events and promote their work beyond the area, first came about. |
Commenting at the time, founder of Muswell Hill Creatives, Rachael Booth-Clibborn said: “Via the local school community I became aware of just how many parents, having dropped their children at school, were heading off to create beautiful things, often in the solitude of their homes. Many had career changes, career breaks or have returned to an old passion for creating. After suggesting a creative collective to a group of friends via email, just six weeks’ later we had our first Open House and it was a fantastic success."
 | Five years on .... We're about to hold our FOURTEENTH outdoor market in Muswell Hill on Saturday 30 November! We've held NINE pop ups - two of them in Sussex - and ONE very successful exhibition in the Hornsey Town Hall. We've had a Christmas party with the brilliant team at Village Raw, held sample sales, have had beautiful short films made about some of our makers and have been featured in the Evening Standard and other press. And this is aside from all the fairs, markets and events which individual members of the collective get invited to sell at. |
A word from the Creatives
 | Life as a creative is full of ups and downs. We've celebrated many a success in the group as well as supporting each other through challenging times. Cecilia Child of By Cecil comments: "I joined Muswell Hill Creatives in the Spring of 2018 and it has hands down been the best decision I ever made. The sense of support and community has kept me going and I feel that I am much further along in my creative endeavour than I would be if I were on my own. Working in a self-employed creative business can be lonely, but the feedback and encouragement I get from the group are invaluable." |
| A special thanks goes to Jess Albert and Michele Wyckoff Smith who are our longest standing members for their commitment and support. Michele says of MHC: "What started as a table top sale in someone's home five years ago has turned into an amazing creative collective. MHC has helped mentor, promote and develop independent makers into successful businesses. The future is bright and I am looking forward to what the next five years brings!" |  |
And finally, a word from Frances, a loyal customer...
"You really know it's Christmas when you see the Muswell Hill Creatives banner in St James Square. Muswell Hill Creatives events always exude a positive, friendly vibe and it's a positive pleasure to peruse the beautiful wares on offer. I look forward to seeing your banner flying for many years to come. Where else would I buy my jewellery, earthenware and a whole host of lovely things for my daughter?! MANY HAPPY RETURNS TO MHC. "
"You really know it's Christmas when you see the Muswell Hill Creatives banner in St James Square. Muswell Hill Creatives events always exude a positive, friendly vibe and it's a positive pleasure to peruse the beautiful wares on offer. I look forward to seeing your banner flying for many years to come. Where else would I buy my jewellery, earthenware and a whole host of lovely things for my daughter?! MANY HAPPY RETURNS TO MHC. "
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