Design Diary - November 10

Dates for your diary: exhibitions, sales, fairs, courses and events you should know about.

Spirit of Christmas (3 - 7 Nov), Olympia, London W14 - This annual Christmas shopping event brings together hundreds of exhibitors. Gifts, decorations, specialist foods and wines galore. Visit www.spiritofchristmasfair.co.uk

Royal School of Needlework Special Sale (5 - 6 Nov, 10-4) - An annual sale to raise money towards the School's Foundation Degree programme and its irreplaceable work to keep the art of embroidery alive. You'll be able to buy one-off collectors' items; antique scissors and thimbles; fabrics, threads, wools and canvases; lace and trimmings, vintage items and even furniture and storage pieces for your needlework accessories. www.royal-needlework.org.uk

The Homebuilding & Renovating Show (5 - 7 Nov), International Centre, Harrogate, and (20-21 Nov) at the Bath & West Showground, Shepton Mallet - For more information and tickets, visit www.homebuildingshow.co.uk

Connected (8 - 14 Nov), Gallery 8, 8 Duke St, St James', London W1 - A small exhibition of twentieth century sculpture organised by Architectural Heritage, featuring works by Henry Moore, Elisabeth Frink and Jacob Epstein, along with connected artists. www.architectural-heritage.co.uk

Fine Cell Work's  Christmas Emporium (10 Nov, 10 am -6 pm), 20th Century Theatre, 291 Westbourne Grove, London  W11 - The charity that teaches tapestry to prison inmates is holding its annual Christmas sale in Notting Hill. New embroidered bags, tea cosies and animals, along with their ever-growing range of cushions and quilts. www.finecellwork.co.uk

Country Living Magazine Christmas Fair (10 - 14 Nov), Business Design Centre, London N1 - Stock up with Christmas gifts, home accessories and festive decorations, food and drink. Over 400 companies represented. www.countrylivingfair.com

The Winter Fine Art & Antiques Fair (15 - 21 Nov), Olympia Exhibition Halls, Hammersmith Road, London W14 - One of the most prestigious events of the season. Over 100 of the UK's most respected dealers exhibit here, with pieces ranging from 18th Century English furniture to Art Deco furniture, elegant decorative pieces to fine paintings www.olympia-antiques.co.uk

RCA Secret (viewing 14 - 19 Nov, sale on 20 Nov), Royal College of Art, Kensington Gore, London SW7 - Pick up an art bargain at this unmissable annual event with original postcard-sized artworks, made and donated by professional artists (1000 of them contributed last year), plus up-and-coming graduates from the RCA. All the cards are for sale, at £45 each. The ‘Secret' is the identity of the artist, which you don't discover until you've bought the card, as they are signed on the back. www.rca.ac.uk/secret

National Antiques Week (15 - 21 Nov) - "Now is the time to buy antiques!" is the theme of this year's National Antiques Week, set up to promote the ‘green' credentials of antiques and to encourage a younger audience to visit antique shops and fairs . Events include a prize draw and free entry to lots of antiques fairs in November. For participating fairs and to print up your vouchers, go to www.nationalantiquesweek.co.uk

Chelsea Textiles Sale (17 - 20 Nov), Chelsea Old Town Hall, King's Road, SW3 - 40%-80% off hand-embroidered fabrics and bedcovers, cushions, one-off samples, ready-made curtains and hand-painted furniture. Open 17th : 10-7; 18th-20th: 9-7  www.chelseatextiles.com, 020-75845544

Hand Sale (18 - 20 Nov), 20th Century Theatre, 291 Westbourne Grove, London W11 - A twice-yearly sale with an inspiring mix of stands including Trouver Antiques (decorative French furniture) and Kirsten Hecktermann (embroidered cushions); plus unusual clothes, homeware and jewellery. For more info call 020 86771848 or 0788 768 0672

Made 10 (19 - 21 Nov), Brighton Corn Exchange, Church St, Brighton - The sister event to the Brighton Art Fair, this is the largest art exhibition on the South Coast and brings together over 100 painters, printmakers, photographers and sculptors along with artists groups and Sussex-based galleries. www.made10.co.uk

The Powderham Castle Antiques & Fine Art Fair (19 - 21 Nov), Kenton, Exeter, Devon - Art and antiques with prices to suit every pocket. Exhibits start from less than £30 for a Victorian silver spoon to more than £10,000 for fine oil paintings and Georgian furniture. www.cooperevents.com

National Maintenance Week. (19 - 26 Nov) - Set up by SPAB to encourage homeowners and others to be aware of the simple, economic and achievable steps they can take to protect their buildings. See www.maintainyourbuilding.org.uk for their top tips on home maintenance.

Cockpit Arts Open Studios (26 - 28 Nov), Cockpit Yard, Northington St, London, WC1,  (& 3 - 5 Dec), 18-22 Creekside, SE8 - Buy your Christmas gifts direct from 165 designer-makers. Fashion accessories, homeware and more from £5 - £5,000. Plus the chance to see behind the scenes in the studios. www.cockpitarts.com
 
Hidden Art Open Studios (27 - 28 Nov; 4 - 5 Dec) and East London Design Show (2 - 5 Dec), London E1 - Check out East London's designer-maker community and buy directly from them. For venues and more info, www.hiddenartlondon.co.uk

3 November 2010