This weekend saw the spring re-launch of the Leeds branch of Handpicked Hall (at Leeds Grand Arcade) – an exciting retail experience founded in 2012, showcasing a huge range of independent designers, makers and retailers: food and drink, fashion and vintage, arts and craft, and even cosmetics, health and well-being.

It’s a wonderful bustling place full to bursting with treasures, and has a warm, bright and cheerful atmosphere. Although I popped in on both the Thursday VIP evening and on the Saturday afternoon, I missed the live acoustic music and didn’t catch any of the demos or workshops promised either. Maybe next time…

Despite there being a number of vintage retailers at Handpicked Hall, the reason I was going was of course to check out the arts & crafts – and boy I wasn’t disappointed with the array of imaginative trinkets and treasures on offer. In the Our Handmade Collective booth alone there are goods courtesy of 52 designer makers, and the range of items was huge – from handbags to chopping boards to handmade chocolates (from The Chocolate Chest, which I can assure you are delicious!)

 
Lana Knitting (above)                       Natalie Breeze Design (above)

Some stand-out designers for me were Natalie Breeze Designs, who was showcasing some of her wonderfully stylish and precision-made handbags, jewellery and accessories; luxuriously tactile hats and scarves courtesy of Lana Knitting (the weight of the wool was just so sumptuous, which I hope comes across a little in the photo above); and finally Jil Made This, with her fun and playful printed textiles and illustration in the Eek! collection.

I can’t recommend this place enough if your idea of a good day out is browsing through a multitude of alluring hand-made items; chatting to the designers and makers themselves about their arts or craft; and topping it all off with a slice of cake and a pot of tea – and on that note, it’s one of the best brews I’ve had (which I’m sure had something to do with the outfit of the lady who made it: frilly apron, quiff and head scarf. The vintage seeped into the tea for sure.)

The Vintage Tea Rooms