Located in Holborn and Deptford, Cockpit Arts is a complexity of studios housing independent designer-makers. Normally closed to the public, the doors are opened at the annual Open Studios event giving an opportunity to explore working studios, meet the designers, and purchase directly.

COCKPIT ARTS OPEN STUDIOS

Holborn: 26th-28th November 2010

HOLBORN: Cockpit Yard, Northington Street, London WC1N 2NP (020 7419 1959)

Deptford: 3rd-5th December 2010

DEPTFORD: 18-22 Creekside, London SE8 3DZ (020 7419 1959)

Expect to find 165 designers selling their work across the two sites, including homewares, ceramics, glass, jewellery, and accessories. Prices range from £5 to £5000.

Enter the free prize draw to win a Cockpit Christmas Tree complete with a set of hand-crafted decorations. Alternatively, enjoy some mulled wine and fresh food at the pop-up cafe by Kennards Good Foods.

Entry £5 joint ticket or £3 Deptford only. Free entry for children under 15.

Opening hours are 11am-6pm, except open until 9pm on both Fridays.

The Hidden Art Christmas Design Fair opens today (27th November) and runs until Sunday. Held within the Old Truman Brewery in East London, the event showcases and sells the designs of over 60 Hidden Art members.

HIDDEN ART CHRISTMAS DESIGN FAIR

Friday 27th November 2009, 12-6pm (Private View 6-8pm)

Saturday 28th November 2009, 10-6pm

Sunday 29th November 2009, 10-6pm

OLD TRUMAN BREWERY

85 Brick Lane, London E1 6QL

As the Christmas buying frenzy starts in full ernest, you have the opportunity to buy special gifts from some of the talented designer-makers selling here, with prices to suit every budget. In addition, there is an ‘environmentally-friendly’ wrapping service (whatever that means!), a Christmas cafe, a Hidden Art pop-up shop (LDG is available to purchase here), and even a space to dump the kids.

The products on offer vary from mugs, candelabras, textiles, Christmas baubles, furniture, lighting, tableware, jewellery etc.

This fair is the final celebration in Hidden Art’s 20th year of supporting British design talent. The organisation supports and promotes designers both nationally and internationally through international trade fairs, an E-Shop, press coverage, and awards.

Furthermore, Hidden Art run an annual pre-Christmas Open Studios event, which is a big celebration of East London-based design talent. Run across two weekends (28th+29th November and 5th+6th December 2009), it is crucial to clutch an Open Studios Map, which helps you to locate the numerous participating studios and workshops.

Images: from top – Christmas Chimera baubles by Reiko Kaneko; Patty Hex side table by Burgundy Applegate; Flower Candles by Louise Graham; Pipework Candelabra by Nick Fraser