An event designed to bring the atmosphere of the famous Spitalfields Market to Nottingham has come to Sneinton Market. RIAH MATTHEWS finds out more.

REGULAR visitors to Sneinton Market may have noticed something strange while rifling through the fruit and veg.

The traditional Saturday market has been joined by some young, arty types who are selling their designs alongside the usual offering of bananas and knickers.

The goods available at the market are an eclectic mix of wares from local designers, with everything available from handmade cushions, cards, pretty cakes and vintage clothing.

The busy market is a dream come true for lovers of vintage wear and unique items from independent labels.

It's organised by ex-Nottingham Trent University textile design students Claire Dawson, 26, Laura Morgan, 28 and Jacqueline Smith, 27.

The trio came up with the idea after starting their own art collective, curiosity.haus. They work together at their studio in Carlton to create brooches, cards, textile pieces and re-upholster furniture.

Claire said: "We got the studio in April this year and decided we needed a bit of a deadline, so we thought 'Why not do a market stall at Sneinton Market?'.

"We thought we might look a bit odd on our own, so we recruited some other stall holders."

Curiosity.haus spread the word through Facebook, Craft Mafia, Design Factory and good old fashioned word-of-mouth. Their aim is to create a similar feel to the famous Spitalfields Market in London.

Laura said: "It's a mix of people selling independent crafts and art work. It's great for students and graduates wanting to sell their own creations.

"We really want to get an arts community down here, there's something for everyone. We also think it's really unique as it runs alongside the traditional Sneinton Market."

Claire added: "We try to encourage a mix of different things, for example we've got people selling jewellery, photography and vintage stuff, all mixed in together.

"We think it's really important to have variety in order to attract lots of different people."

The first Apples and Pears and Crafty Wares: Hockley Arts Market took place in May and curiosity.haus had such good feedback, they decided to make it a regular event of the fourth Saturday of each month.

They have gone from having ten art stalls at the first event, to 20 at the most recent.

Laura, Claire and Jacqueline are also pleased that their arts market has encouraged more business to the more traditional Sneinton Market.

Claire said: "People who are buying fruit can come and buy a bag and vice-versa.

"It's important for the community as it revives Sneinton – we get lots of local people down here as well."

Having a stall there is just £10 for the day and people who don't need a whole pitch can share a stall and therefore the cost.

Illustrator Gemma Latimer, 25, from Mapperley has sold her handmade prints, bags and T-shirts at the last two Hockley Arts Markets.

She said: "It's great because it's really busy and there are more stalls each time.

"It just seems to keep on getting bigger and bigger and it always has a really nice atmosphere."

Gemma has found that she sells more at the Hockley Arts Market than any other craft fairs she's traded at and it has more varied people than most craft fairs.

She said: "It attracts all sorts of people, some come for the market and then come to us, while others come especially. There's mixed ages and a lot of different types of people."

The more traditional traders have also welcomed the addition of variety to the market. Wendy Honeyman-Smith, manager of Sneinton Market, said: "It's a good thing because it brings business to the market and encourages people to stay longer. It also attracts people who wouldn't normally come to a market - it adds vibrancy."

The next Apples and Pears and Crafty Wares: Hockley Arts Market will be taking place on October 24 from 10am to 3pm. For more information go to www.applesandpearsandcraftywares.blogspot.com.