Every month, Sturminster Newton’s craft community comes together under the glass atrium of The Exchange for Crafts at The Exchange – a friendly market run by Becky’s Beads of Dorset.
Local jewellery maker Becky realised that although Dorset has plenty of talented crafters, there were few affordable places for them to sell their work and meet customers face to face. The first market took place soon after – and it’s been running on the first Saturday of every month (except January and February) ever since.
Now a regular fixture on the town calendar, Crafts at The Exchange hosts around 20 stalls, with a changing mix of local artists and makers. Expect everything from jewellery, ceramics and woodwork to textiles, candles, soaps and glasswork – much of it handmade within a few miles of town. Many stallholders offer bespoke commissions, and entry is free. All profits from the event are donated back to The Exchange to help maintain the building.
Stur’s creative thread
Sturminster Newton is known for its craft shops and creative energy. Hansons, the town’s fabric and sewing centre, continues to be a haven for quilters and dressmakers, while Beads with a Twist offers workshops and supplies for jewellery makers. Green Lake Craft Studio provides crochet and knitting kits, handmade bags and regular craft classes. The Exchange itself supports local artists through its Bibbern Gallery, which runs a programme of monthly exhibitions – anyone interested in showing their work can contact the Exchange team for details.
As winter approaches, many await with eagerness the annual Handmade for Christmas at the Workhouse Chapel on Bath Road. Now open daily until 24th December (9.30am to 4.30pm), it offers a huge range of carefully-curated gifts and decorations made by local artists.
Visit the next market
Crafts at The Exchange runs from 9am to 1pm, with free parking opposite.
Upcoming dates:
Saturday 8th November
Saturday 6th December
The December market coincides with the town’s classic car rally in Station Road car park – another good reason to visit, browse, and enjoy a morning in one of Dorset’s most creative small towns.
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