MBE for Craft Festival
Written: 17 June 2023
I received a letter on May 11th and I am now able to tell you about it.
To my utter disbelief, I have been awarded an MBE for my services to Craft in today's Birthday Honours List.
Never has the phrase, "It takes a village to raise a child", be more true.
This award is for Nina Fox, Kate Martin, Susan James. My Welsh Family, my parents Pat & Roddy, my brother Lloyd & Em and The Girls, my children Ella and Lewi and my very patient and caring husband, Andy. Diolch o galon. Plus all the gang in Exmouth. And to so many friends and maker friends, I don't know where to start. I'd also like to thank Merryn Albon and Fran Moorhouse who have both moved on from Craft Festival but were a huge part of our success.
My work with Craft Festival is a collaboration with many like mind organisations. In particular, Make South West, a huge thanks to Laura Wasley and all the team at MSW Towers in Bovey. Also to Llantarnam Grange and the legend that is Louise Jones-Williams, I am so proud to be a Trustee. I'd also like to thank Deborah Pocock LVO and Louise Rains and all the team at QEST who we have worked closely in recent years, it's been a huge honour. There are so many more to thank. Thank you.
And to William Bavin from House of Marbles for believing in me back in 2003. From one, bloody good egg to another, thank you Sir.
And to all the members of the Find a Maker family, look what we've done! ❤️
And to whoever nominated me, Diolch / Thank you. Truly.
With gratitude,
Sarah James MBE
Necklace by Gilly Langton
Earrings by Tanja Ufer
