People’s History Museum (PHM) is opening its doors for a May Day weekender, with its first ever May Day Makers Markets taking place from Saturday 3 May to Sunday 4 May (10.00am – 5.00pm). Set in PHM’s grand Edwardian Grade II listed Engine Hall and spilling out into the museum’s public spaces, the market embraces the May Day spirit both in the products available and by showcasing its support for craft workers. Entry is free and there are bookable workshops taking place.

Taking part are cultural creators from around the North West. 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. Each piece is handmade and a range of different metals are featured. The dreamy colours and intricate patterns that make Palm + Luna’s jewellery stand out are achieved using Miyuki glass seed beads. Each piece is finally woven, which is why it is described as being slow made with love!

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 artwork of Sophie Kathleen Stevens, to the happy feeling that comes with Charming Badgers’ illustrations, to the flamboyant textiles of Gingham Flamingo – whose one of a kind fabrics will bring delight to any home. 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.

Market stalls full of homewares, gift ideas and bespoke creations are joined by a series of workshops that are all bookable in advance. 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 a May Day Lino Printing Workshop, 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.

Throughout the weekend the galleries will be open to explore, drop in gallery tours will be taking place and the Playful Protest Space will be open for families to take part in creative activities. You can find out more about the May Day Markets here and how to book on the workshops here.

People’s History Museum’s opening hours are 10.00am to 5.00pm, every day except Tuesdays. Museum entry is free, with most visitors donating £10. To find out about visiting PHM, its full exhibitions and events programme visit phm.org.uk