The first ever May Day Makers Markets will be taking place from Saturday 3 May to Sunday 4 May at People’s History Museum (PHM) in Manchester, filling its beautiful Grade II listed Engine Hall. The historic space will be full of colourful makes, gifts, jewellery and homewares from some of the finest cultural curators in the North West. And for those that want to join in, there’s a series of accompanying workshops featuring everything from the art of lino printing to May Day inspired ribbon keyrings.

Meet the makers
Ceramics that use raku firing techniques mean that all of the pieces from Nwrclayations are beautifully organic in their finish. These will contrast with the contemporary sculptures of Blahadava Ceramics that take on abstract forms to reflect nature and the environment. And giving a traditional craft a twist is the work of Tender Hook Studios, which celebrates the art of handweaving with beautiful products including purses, small bags and woven collars.

The Magpie’s Daughter will be bringing a collection of vintage influenced jewellery, including designs inspired by the collection at People’s History Museum. And the mini banners that will be available from Sophie Pattinson couldn’t be in better company, with PHM world famous for its banner collection. These take home beauties carry fun messages and are accompanied by a range of textiles and cushions. Also adding style to the home are the cacti and succulents from Cactus Parlour, which will be available alongside a range of decorative pots.

Colourful creations are in abundance from the flamboyant textiles of Gingham Flamingo to the happy feeling that comes with Charming Badgers’ illustrations. Also making a colourful mark is Sam Bonser Art, whose work combines both traditional and digital media with a passion for atmospheric visual storytelling, and Sophie Green, whose joyful photography celebrates queer themes and shares positive messages of love and protest. They are joined by a gorgeous colour pallet of backpacks, small bags and work bags from DeFelice & Co. These self-taught machinists design and create each piece themselves, using waxed cotton from Lancashire and hardware from Wales to ensure the sustainability and authenticity of the work.

Take part in a workshop
On Saturday 3 May you can join graphic novelists the Rickard Sisters for either a free Author Talk and Book Signing or a Comic Art Workshop, in which you will create a visual narrative from your own life, or a life learning from the techniques they have used in their best-selling work, including an adaptation of Constance Maud’s suffrage classic No Surrender (priced £25). Illustrator and printmaker Halina Isherwood will be running two May Day Lino Printing Workshops, in which you will cut your own printing block from which to print a card or fabric patch to take away with May Day, spring and Manchester as your inspiration (priced £20).

On Sunday 4 May there is a May Day Ribbon Workshop with artist Helen Mather that takes the tradition of May Day ribbons and turns them into key rings with the option to embellish your creation by stitching, stamping or writing a message of celebration. This is a Family Friendly workshop suitable for ages 5 plus (priced £7 for 5-12 years and £10 for 12+). And adding joy to the day will be the Hallé Ancoats Community Choir, who you can hear perform in the Engine Hall and also join a free Singing Workshop with the choir’s director, Stuart Overington. This session is suitable for all ages and will be a wonderfully uplifting and energising experience.