Land Of Iron

This December, Land of Iron welcomes Brigantia Art, Craft & Design Group for a ten-day Christmas Fair, celebrating the creativity and craftsmanship of 14 artists and makers, including six from our local area.

From Friday 4 to Sunday 13 December, visitors can explore a colourful collection of handmade pottery, jewellery, textiles, paintings and artwork, with pieces available to purchase directly from the fair.

Bringing together local artists and makers from further afield, the fair offers an opportunity to discover distinctive handmade Christmas gifts, celebrate Yorkshire's creative talent and support independent artists and craftspeople.

Admission to the Christmas Fair is free.

Event details

Dates: Friday 4 to Sunday 13 December 2026
Times: 10am–4pm daily
Location: Land of Iron, Mill Lane, Skinningrove, TS13 4AP
Admission: Free entry to the Christmas Fair
Museum visits and tours: Normal admission charges apply

A celebration of Yorkshire craftsmanship

Brigantia is a collective of artists, craftspeople and designers from North Yorkshire, bringing together a wide range of creative disciplines, including ceramics, textiles, jewellery, painting and other traditional and contemporary crafts.

Its members share a commitment to craftsmanship, individual creativity and making, with much of their work inspired by the landscapes, coastline and character of Yorkshire.

For ten days, Land of Iron will showcase work by six Brigantia artists, each bringing their own approach, techniques and creative inspiration to the fair.

Meet the Artists

Amanda Scott | Handmade Bags and Textile Art

Drawing inspiration from nature and the Arts and Crafts Movement, Amanda Scott creates individually handmade bags that combine practical design with artistic expression.

From a career in fashion and bridalwear to creating individual pieces of wearable art, Amanda's story brings together traditional sewing skills, creative reuse and inspiration from North Yorkshire's landscapes. Discover how Amanda transforms textiles from kilts and kimonos into handmade bags, and how her work has also found a home in the Land of Iron shop.

Above: Bag by Amanda Scott

Clothylde Vergnes | Landscape Artist

Inspired by the moors, woodlands and coastline of North Yorkshire, Clothylde Vergnes creates colourful, stylised paintings that capture the character and atmosphere of the region's landscapes.

Originally from the South of France, Clothylde has lived and painted in the Whitby area for many years. Working primarily in oils, alongside watercolour and other media, she develops her paintings from outdoor sketches, using expressive colours and defined shapes influenced by her experience of stained glass.

Clothylde's distinctive approach brings a personal perspective to familiar Yorkshire scenery, from sweeping moorland views to woodland paths and coastal villages. Discover how Clothylde Vergnes developed a distinctive style of landscape painting, shaped by a creative journey from the South of France to North Yorkshire.

Above: Painting by Clothylde Vergnes

Jane Carpenter | Sea Glass Jewellery and Papercut Art

Living and working on the North East coast, self-taught artist Jane Carpenter creates jewellery and intricate papercut artwork inspired by her natural surroundings.

Jane collects sea glass from local beaches, transforming these coastal finds into individual pieces of jewellery. Her detailed papercuts draw on the landscapes, trees and wildlife around her home, reflecting the beauty and character of the North East coastline.

Discover how Jane Carpenter's connection to Staithes shapes two very different forms of art, and explore the work of this local artist, whose creations are also available in the Land of Iron shop.

Above: Jewellery by Jane Carpenter

Jill Christie | Wold Pottery

Continuing a pottery tradition established in 1954, Jill Christie creates distinctive handmade earthenware inspired by the colours and landscapes of North Yorkshire.

Having taken over Wold Pottery from its founder, Aidan Dixon, in 1985, Jill has continued to develop its characteristic hand-thrown forms and brushed slip decoration. Now working from her studio in Brotton, she makes practical domestic pottery alongside individual decorative pieces.

A changing selection of Wold Pottery is also available in the Land of Iron shop.

Above: Pottery for sale at Land of Iron, by Jill Christie | Wold Pottery

Joyce Thistlethwaite | Knitting and Crochet

Joyce Thistlethwaite creates colourful knitted and crocheted pieces inspired by the changing colours of the local moors and countryside.

Her love of knitting began more than 60 years ago, when she made Fair Isle berets for herself and her neighbours. After a career making collectors' teddy bears, Joyce returned to knitting and developed her skills in crochet, creating practical handmade pieces that celebrate colour, pattern and texture.

Above: Crochet by Joyce Thistlethwaite

Margaret Jackson | Textile Art and Feltmaking

With a background in Fine Art, Margaret Jackson has explored a variety of creative disciplines, including ceramics, printmaking and machine embroidery.

After retiring from teaching, Margaret discovered batik and feltmaking, developing her interest in textiles, colour and surface decoration. Her work includes colourful patterned textiles and decorative accessories, combining artistic design with traditional craft techniques.

Above: Crochet by Joyce Thistlethwaite

Supporting local creativity

The Brigantia Christmas Fair is part of Land of Iron's growing relationship with artists, makers and independent creative businesses across East Cleveland and North Yorkshire.

By welcoming Brigantia to the museum, we hope to introduce more visitors to the wealth of creative talent in our region, while providing another opportunity for local artists and makers to share their work.

Whether you're looking for a handmade Christmas gift or simply enjoy discovering the work of independent artists, we look forward to welcoming you to Land of Iron this December.

Land of Iron’s programme of events and activities is made possible thanks to The National Lottery Heritage Fund and National Lottery players.