Women Who Make Festival

About this event

Celebrate the power of women who make, inspire, and transform at the Women Who Make Festival – a day-long celebration of creativity, empowerment, and community at the historic Masson Mills.

This free festival is set around the compelling ‘Standing In This Place’ exhibition by artist Rachel Carter, where you can explore a showcase of women makers, artists, designers, storytellers, and activists.

Expect a vibrant day of:

✨ Artist Showcase / Makers' Market – discover work, meet makers, and see creativity in action

✨ Workshops & demonstrations

✨ Talks from inspiring creatives

✨ A community sewing bee with the BBC The Great British Sewing Bee’s Alex Murphy

Whether you’re a maker yourself, or simply someone who appreciates craft and creativity, this is your chance to discover, connect, and celebrate women who are making a difference.

Entry is free – register today to stay updated on the programme!

You can also book add-on tickets when you register for selected talks and special activities (see below).

Zoe Wiltshire Standing In This Place

Artist Showcase

Meet and connect with women artists and makers from across Derbyshire and beyond. The Artist Showcase is more than a market – it’s a space to see creativity in action. Discover unique handmade work, watch demonstrations, hear about the stories behind the pieces, and, where available, take home something special.

Talks Programme (Add-on Tickets Available)

🟣 11am – Katie Abey

Strengthen Your Connection To Your Unique Creative Magic And Then Use It As A Guidance System For Your Business And Your Life

Katie Abey is a creative human on a mission to make a positive difference with her art. Known for her colourful, witty illustrations of “perturbed animals and lots of rainbows,” Katie channels her sensitivity into uplifting, empowering work that champions individuality and embraces weirdness. Alongside her husband, she runs Punnydukes – a magical shop in Derbyshire – and has illustrated more than 50 children’s books. In this talk, Katie will share how she has turned her unique traits into superpowers, built a thriving creative business, and why connecting to your authentic creative magic can guide both life and work.

🟣 12pm – Sally Wheal, Wild Roots Creative

Creating Connection: The Power of Crafting in Community

At the heart of the talk is the story of Wild Roots Creative, a nature-based social enterprise that grew from a simple idea: that nature-based activity can transform lives and improve wellbeing.

We’ll dive into real stories and research that show how crafting together and working with nature fosters meaningful connections between people of all ages. From creating gifts for others to working on collaborative projects rooted in nature and sustainability, the impact goes far beyond the craft table.

This is a celebration of what happens when creativity, community, and care for the Earth come together. Whether you're a lifelong maker or just curious, this talk invites you to reconnect through the simple, powerful act of crafting.

🟣 1pm – Rachel Carter

Standing In This Place: A Sculpture & Heritage Project

Created by sculptor Rachel Carter & the Legacy Makers

Commissioned by The National Justice Museum

Come along to hear sculptor Rachel Carter discuss the journey to create ‘Standing In This Place’ exhibition by artist , an ambitious new sculpture that gives representation to the under-represented, and gives voice and recognition to the contributions of thousands of unnamed women who were the driving forces behind the East Midlands cotton textile industry during Industrialisation.

The statue’s inclusion in a public park places Nottingham at the forefront of historic female recognition; and makes Nottingham a regional, national and global leader in acknowledging the significant contribution women have made to the British economy and society in their roles as enslaved workers in the Americas and Caribbean and as factory workers in industrial Britain.

🟣 2pm – Sue Russell

Weaving an Exploration of Masson Mills

Textile artist and PhD researcher Sue Russell takes us inside her creative process of weaving as a research tool. Inspired by Masson Mills and the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site, Sue’s woven explorations draw on the building, river, people, and cotton – four key elements that interweave to tell the story of this historic site. In this talk, she will share her journey into weaving, her research at Masson Mills, and the woven pieces that reveal how place, history, and material come together in textile form.

Workshops & Activities

🟢 Dare to Dream Sewing Bee

Led by artist Sue Reddish with special guest Alex Murphy (BBC’s Great British Sewing Bee), and our Dare to Dream artists Bernie Rutter and Christine Thomas, this drop-in workshop invites you to craft banners, flags and garments that carry your dreams and ideas for the future. Using old fabrics and found materials, transform everyday textiles into powerful symbols of hope and change. No experience needed – just imagination and a desire to make something special.

🟢 Demonstrations & drop-in sessions

From weaving demonstrations on heritage looms and family friendly activities with the World Heritage Site team, explore making in action, meet inspiring women makers, and try something new.

🟢 Walk

Details coming soon (add-on tickets will be made available ).

Practical Info

📌 Festival entry is free - register now and be the first to know when additional add-on tickets go live.

• Add-on tickets are required for talks and the walk.
• Parking charges apply at Masson Mills.
• Please note: The Masson Mills' Textile Museum Weaving Shed will be open to explore as part of the festival for free. Milly Melbourne will be running weaving demonstrations on heritage looms throughout the day.
• Families, friends, and curious creatives are all welcome!

About Women Who Make

Women Who Make celebrates the power of women to make, inspire and transform. This curated seasonal programme of monthly gatherings provides a space for inspiration, learning and mutual support through hybrid talks, walks, and workshops. It explores innovations in making and design, storytelling, art for social impact, and how local heritage influences contemporary making.

About Derbyshire Makes

Derbyshire Makes is a programme of cultural activity highlighting Derbyshire’s creative legacy. It engages new and existing audiences through high-quality creative events - including community-produced projects and artist-led commissions - as part of the Derbyshire Makes Festival and other countywide activities. Funded by Arts Council England’s Place Partnership fund (National Lottery) and Derbyshire County Council, Derbyshire Makes proudly collaborates with over 50 partners.

Sign up to our newsletter at derbyshiremakes.co.uk and follow us on social media @derbyshiremakes

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