Celebrating handmade craft, homewares, art, fashion and curated vintage, the Many Hands Sale returns to St Mary Abbots Centre in Kensington from 7th – 9th May.

The Many Hands Sale is a continuation of an event known as The Hand Sale, originally established by London-based creative organiser and curator Gail Arnold over 30 years ago. Gail opened her house in Fulham, gathering a handful of friends, collectors and makers to share their wares. Gradually it became a yearly event, outgrowing venues from a larger house in Edwards Square to the 20th Century theatre on Portobello Road, finally landing at St Mary Abbots Centre in Kensington.

One of the exhibitors, textile artist, designer, and stylist Kirsten Hecktermann became a firm friend then eventually, a collaborator, and together they made connections with small independent makers and creators who were brimming with ideas, but who were often unable to work with retail markups. This network of artists, designers, and customers made The Hand Sale a singularly exceptional event.

In 2025, Gail and Kirsten decided to step back in order to focus on their own artistic projects, and in November of the same year, Christa Davis, a long-term stallholder and champion of small businesses, took up the mantle, relaunching the Many Hands Sale as a bi-annual event. A textile designer and a passionate up-cycler for over 30 years, her continued focus is on bringing together longstanding and well-established stallholders, innovative newcomers and emerging talent at each event.

“Our exhibitors show fashion, homeware, jewellery, ceramics and other crafts as well as a curated selection of vintage pieces, and we support any maker who has an authentic and positive approach towards their business and the wider community,” says Christa. “Makers focus mainly on handmade products and slow design, alongside sustainability and drive to make things that last. We offer a relaxed and connective experience for both creatives and shoppers. The craftspeople that show at the event enjoy meeting their customers, which in turn creates a genuine warmth.”

The next Many Hands Sale will run from 7th – 9th May at St Mary Abbots Centre, Vicarage Gate, Kensington, W8 4HN.

Find out more at manyhandssale.co.uk.

Allow us to introduce you to a selection of the past and present stallholders from the Many Hands Sale:

MERCHANT AND MILLS HOUSE

Merchant & Mills House products are handmade homeware pieces, with a strong focus on craftsmanship, functionality and longevity. The range includes soft furnishings such as cushions, quilts, bed linen and curtains, alongside rugs, lighting, ceramics, tableware and small accessories, all of which are intended to be used daily and kept for years. At the sale, they will be showing their new collection, designed exclusively to bring a sense of warmth and individuality to a space.

KIRSTEN HECKTERMANN

Kirsten Hecktermann is a British textile designer, stylist, and maker known for her handcrafted homewares and fabrics. Distinctive and quietly expressive, her work brings together modern and antique textiles such as linen and velvet, which are enriched with her own hand-dyed fabrics and delicate hand embroidered designs often inspired by organic forms.

CHRISTINA WILSON

Christina is an artist and maker who is inspired by the quiet beauty of everyday life, from the fragility of flowers to the surrounding landscapes. Her carefully curated selection of limited-edition prints, watercolour cards, postcards, and vintage finds all carry her distinctive, gentle style and are chosen with a discerning eye.

MAISON BENGAL 

Maison Bengal is a socially responsible, fair-trade brand dedicated to creating positive change in Bangladesh by working with local partners to train artisans in remote communities. Using sustainable, locally sourced materials such as jute and hogla, they produce beautiful, practical, and durable handmade homeware and accessories, including bags, baskets, rugs, and storage items. Supporting over 4,000 artisans – mostly young women – the organisation enables them to work from home, care for their families, and earn a fair income, ensuring each product contributes to ethical design, meaningful employment, and lasting social impact.

CELIA WORSTER

A trained aromatherapist and reiki healer, Celia Worster creates a small range of natural, plant-based skincare products, focusing on nourishing oils and r creams designed to soothe, protect, and hydrate the skin. Her products use gentle, organic ingredients such as essential oils, botanical extracts, and almond oil and are designed for everyday wellbeing, with a focus on comfort, care, and sensory experience

JOGGLED POTTERY

One of the original co-founders of The House Directory, Nicolette Le Pelley now makes handmade ceramic pieces with a strong focus on visually striking surface decoration, often inspired by traditional slipware techniques. The name ‘joggled’ refers to a pottery method where different coloured liquid clays or slips are blended to create marbled, flowing patterns, that give each piece a distinctive, organic look.

M.HULOT

M.Hulot is a UK-based accessories label founded in 2011 by designer Anna Kreeger. Showcasing a range of handcrafted leather goods including bags, purses, and accessories, all products are designed in her Cambridgeshire studio and made in England using carefully sourced materials such as Italian vegetable-tanned leather. Minimalist and functional with a contemporary edge, her timeless designs focus on durability, craftsmanship, and thoughtful production.

TIM PLUNKETT

Tim Plunkett is a UK-based maker and designer whose work centres on the creation of hand-turned wooden objects that combine simplicity, function, and a deep respect for natural materials. Working primarily with locally sourced timber, often from trees felled nearby, he carefully seasons and shapes each piece to reveal the inherent character of the wood, producing bowls and vessels intended for everyday use. Entirely self-taught, his practice is informed by both an environmental awareness and a background in precision manufacturing, resulting in work that balances craft tradition with a refined, contemporary sensibility

TWO STICKS FORGE

Two Sticks Forge, founded by bladesmith Andrew Lindsay, is a UK-based maker of hand-forged kitchen knives inspired by Japanese knifemaking traditions. Working from his Sussex workshop, he combines traditional forging methods with carefully selected modern steels and locally sourced hardwood handles to create durable, high-performance tools. His knives are known for their balance, precision, and understated design, reflecting a focus on functionality, craftsmanship, and material quality.

IMA DESIGNS

Ima design is a curated collection of handcrafted Moroccan homeware and textiles, rooted in a deep appreciation for traditional craftsmanship and contemporary design. Starting with a small group of weavers from Almis, the project has expanded into collaborations with skilled women artisans across Tazenakht, Rissani, Khenifra, and Mrirt, with each region bringing its own unique weaving techniques. Alongside textiles Ima designs works with Lahssan from Tamegroute, a master potter dedicated to preserving the centuries-old tradition of wood-fired pottery, known for its distinctive organic forms and rich, earthy glazes.

MADE BY AFOUS

Made by AFOUS is a design-led, ethically minded craft brand focused on creating handmade textiles and homeware that draw on North African, particularly Moroccan, craft traditions. Working closely with skilled makers and supporting artisanal communities, founder Daniela Gallenti centres on slow, small-batch production using natural materials and traditional techniques, resulting in pieces that emphasise texture, individuality, and cultural heritage.

We hope you have enjoyed this insight into the backstory and the makers at the Many Hands Sale. For more inspiration from our The House Directory members, explore our archive of blogs here.