One big weekend at Makers Central 2024

As the dust settles on yet another fantastic weekend for team Shadow Foam at Makers Central 2024 we reflect on the journey that took us there. We started exhibiting there in 2019, so with the obligatory break for Covid, that made it our fourth year. It was an epic effort this time, which we'd planned to be bigger and better even than ever before.  We had laughs, saw friends both new and old and had a grand old time all round.  So here's a summary of just some of the highlights!

About Makers Central

It's a fun family event for creators, makers and hobbyists, where you can meet world-famous makers and YouTube stars, explore crazy inventions and interactive displays.  And where the kids (both old AND young) can be entertained and learn new skills.  

Originally the brain-child of artist, woodturner, maker and Youtuber Nick Zammeti, the event has grown and evolved into a worldwide attraction.  

Who can you see at Makers Central

Marketed as the event where global makers and creators come together, they're really not wrong.  Each year we've seen more and more fan's favourites along with brands both big and small enjoying the unique atmosphere only this event can deliver. One thing's for sure, Makers Central know how to bring in all the big names people want to see.  

Luckily for us, this year the two main headliners are both friends of our brand and channel.  So we were super buzzing to get to spend lots of time over the weekend with buddies Colin Furze and The Hacksmith.  Regular followers of our channel will have seen some of the projects we've done with Colin.  So you can bet that more plans were brewing over the weekend!  And it was fantastic to catch up with The Hacksmith as he made the journey from Canada.  Luckily for us we managed to spend a bit of time with us over the weekend too, having visited us at Shadow Foam HQ just a year ago too.

Another highlight for us was spending time with pals Brother's Make. They joined us on our booth for the whole weekend to show visitors the journey of how they came to be making our Foam Smoothing Spinners for us out of our very own Shadow Foam offcuts! Jonny and Matt were fresh back from the Gambia where they've training local teams in plastic recycling.  So it was great to hear all about the amazing work they're doing. 

Catching up with our Shadow Foam ambassadors

The icing on the cake for us was getting to catch up with some of our Ambassador and Affiliate team.  These guys regularly work with our product, but it was so lovely to catch up with them "in the wild" and see them doing their own thing.  Of course Colin was a big attraction, supported by his friend Tom Lamb.The resounding buzz around the venue was that the 2.5 hour wait to meet him was well worth it.  

His neighbour on the day was the fabulous Ruth Amos.  She, along with with the Kids Invent Stuff team kept the little one's entertained.  A short mooch around the show and we of course bumped into the brilliant Nick 'know what I'm sayin' Zammeti a few times.  We were also pleased to run into Matt Estlea trading his wares there too. 

Along with Brother's Make we had our very own TF Turning with us on the stand. Plus as an added bonus, we were lucky to have Mark from Peach Tree Crafting doing Shadowfoaming demo's for visitors all weekend.  With visits from friends and Ambassadors Country Wood Girl, Claire's Crafty Corner, Toonpish Crafts, JP Woodwork, Jiggsy's Shed and Jim Overton amongst many others, Shadow Foam were really well represented at this year's Makers Central.  Moreover, amongst some of the new friends we've made, you might yet see some new ambassadors joining our ranks soon too.  Watch this space!

Introducing new products

We were bowled over at the levels of craftsmanship and innovation we saw at the show coming home with our own haul of largely British-made tools.  But on top of that, to see demonstrations and learn more about some really great finds and innovations made it such a worthwhile experience for us.

The time seemed right, surrounded by such great, inspiring company, to launch some new products at the show.  We were blown away by the response to our new "Starter Packs".  So much so, we drove home with an almost empty van.  We also teased a couple of new colours that we hope to drop into our range very soon.  So eyes peeled for more news on those soon if you didn't manage to spot them at the show.