Craftsman Magazine

For almost 25 years, since its launch in 1983 until June 2007, Craftsman Magazine was the main UK publication for professional craftspeople and hobbyists wanting to sell their work. With a focus primarily on selling through Craft Fairs and Trade Fairs in Britain, the magazine developed alongside the UK craft industry and became an important resource for people wanting to earn a living from their work.

The publishers, Angie and Paul Boyer, Directors of PSB Design & Print Consultants Limited, first realised there was a need for such a publication when they were selling their own work at UK Craft Fairs in the early 1980s; there was nothing available at that time to inform people about the craft fairs, who organised them, where and when they were taking place or how to book stands at events.

As the UK Craft industry expanded and developed over the years, the publishers realised that the profile of the magazine needed to change as well, so in the summer of 2007 they relaunched the publication as Craftsman craft&design Magazine with a new format, new design and a more contemporary approach to the content. The aims remain the same, to help craftspeople in Britain to earn a living from their work.

The first issue of Craftsman Magazine was published Winter 1983 by Paul and Angie Boyer, Directors of PSB Design and Print Consultants Limited, a small graphic design business based in Commercial Street, London E1. The first issue was 16 pages, printed in 2 colours onto newsprint and 30,000 copies were circulated free of charge at craft fairs all over Britain. The editorial in the first issue featured Bookbinding, Batik, Jewellery, Leather Carving and Craft Fairs. The aim of the magazine was to put craft people in touch with each other, to inform craft makers and buyers about where and when craft fairs were being held, and to provide information about who organised craft fairs in Britain and how to book a stand at the fairs. Advertising was mainly from craft fair organisers.

Husband and wife team, Paul and Angie Boyer continued to publish Craftsman Magazine 4 times a year from their London address until 1985 when, with issue number 5, they moved to Littlehampton in Sussex. By that time an annual subscription had been made available, editorial content had been expanded to include Business Advice for craft people and advertising had grown to reflect the growth in the number of craft fairs being held all over Britain. Events being advertised were at venues such as Stately Homes, Town and Village Halls, Wildlife Parks, Schools and Colleges, Hotels, Racecourses, Concert Halls, Community Centres, National Trust Properties, Leisure Centres, Sports Halls, Exhibition Centres, Shopping Centres, Airports and even US military Bases in the UK. Specialist Miniatures shows were also being advertised.

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