Hobbycrafts and Art Materials Live back at Birmingham NEC

The Crafts for Christmas, Hobbycrafts and Art Materials Live! Event takes place from 8-11 November at the NEC, Birmingham.

With everything you need for a beautiful handmade Christmas, the organisers say it's the perfect way to add some sparkle to the festive period this year - but downthetubes readers might simply want to check out the range of creative talent and find out more about their work, whatever the season. The Arts Material Live section also sounds like it might have things to offer artists who follow this site.

Whether it's a cuddly snowman for a little one, some festive decorations for the house or a beautiful necklace for that special someone, Crafts for Christmas offers a huge selection of handmade gifts and crafts from hundreds of exhibitors. A brand new Graduate Area will bring together an abundance of work from the very best of newly qualified British designers and makers. On sale will be gifts that include textiles, glass, wood, metal, jewellery, furniture and much more.

Quite asides from the Christmas-oriented areas like the Prima Magazine Craft Theatre, where you can pick up some clever ideas to add some creative handmade touches to your decorations and a Festive Food and Drink aisle, Hobbycrafts is the UK's largest creative crafts show.

The organisers claim it will be bigger and better than ever this year, with over 200 exhibitors bringing the best of the creative craft world together. Stock up and discover all the latest innovations and supplies from the world of creative craft and speak personally to the exhibitors for their advice and ideas.

With everything from stamping, beading and jewellery making to papercraft, cardmaking and calligraphy - you will find everything you need for your next hobbycraft project.

All visitors can enjoy a free programme of Quick & Easy Workshops, Make & Take sessions, Talks and Demonstrations each day of the show, as well as experts including popular TV craft personality Stephanie Weightman.

Art Materials Live is the UK's liveliest and biggest art materials show, where leading professional artists will be on hand to offer the very latest in art supplies, ideas and innovations as well as their top tips and advice to leave you feeling inspired and enthused.

Visitors to the show can attend one of the pre-bookable hands-on workshops organised by the Leisure Painter & The Artist Magazines, or can vote for their favourite painting in the 'Simply the Best' competition. Some of the best artists in the country will be demonstrating a variety of techniques, showcasing a whole range of mediums, materials and subject matter from which you can learn.

• For more information and to find out what's coming up at the NEC, visit www.thenec.co.uk or follow The NEC, Birmingham on LinkedIn. Tickets for Crafts for Christmas, Hobbycrafts and Art Materials Live! are on sale now priced at £9-£12 for a one day ticket and £14-22 for a two or three day ticket and are available from The Ticket Factory: www.theticketfactory.com or 0844 338 8000.