nec or alexandra palace?

[vivlloyd]

Hello all,
I have only ever been to the craft show at nec (can not remember what it is called) and have been reading about the one at Alexandra palce for those that have been to both which do you recommend? i am based in cheshire so Birmingham is closer but I am happy to travel if you think it would be worth it. Not on the hunt for anything particular but like to have browse.
thanks
viv

[hot potato]

Hi I've been to both and can say Ally Pally wins hands down, AP has far better choice of papercraft stash.

[Beautifullily]

I would say Ally Pally is better also, but don't know if I would make a journey from Cheshire for it!!!

[vivlloyd]

well a day out is always nice and do not mind travelling! will see if i can convince my scrapbooking friend to come too as that will help pass the time!!

[jackie40]

Hi Viv,

I live in Birmingham and NEC is only 1/2 hour away so more convenient to go to. I found that the NEC is a lot bigger than Ally Pally and the NEC catered for a larger range of crafts, eg sewing, knitting, card making, painting, scrapbooking, jewellery, wood turning etc - but saying that it can get very busy and it involves a lot of pushing and shoving to get in and out of the stands

Only been to Ally Pally once, and was very impressed, it was big, but not as big as I expected and even though there were alot of people they there didn't seem to be alot of pushing. I mainly visited the Scrapbooking stands and skipped the obviously card making ones.

In comparison NEC is more expensive to visit I think the tickets are £8.00 each, and its £8.00 to parking - not so bad if a few of you can car share, and I think they charge for the clothroom. But when you add your price of your ticket for Ally Pally, the train fare, the tube fare it might work out just as expensive.

The main thing is to have a basic idea of what you want, and visit some websites to get some ideas of prices.

If you've not been to the NEC if might be worth a visit to the next one in November, you never know you might find a few bargains LOL

[Rincelex]

Another vote for Ally Pally

[AndreaKennard]

Ally Pally for me to, been to the NEC twice and it was far to packed and expensive to park, far easier at AP and a lot of stall holders to x

[Judith]

I do both but as others have said the bigger is NEC however better is Ally. There are lots of great ideas and after talking to lots of stall holders at both, I find the prices better at the ally due to the cost of the stalls to the holders.

[windmillcraft]

I live not far from the NEC but still choose to go the the Ally Pally instead, much nicer.

[scully1995]

Hi I think Ally Pally is better, have been to both but prefer Ally Pally. If you buy your tickets in advance they are only £5 and if you are driving you can park for free at Ally Pally.

Sue

[Lynnda]

I haven't been to either before but plan to do both this year, so thanks for all the comments

[textilegirl]

Sounds like a trip to Ally Pally is defiantely something I'm going to have to do too :D

[Jill]

I only live 10 mins from the nec so always go there but seriously considered ally pally this year but after spending ages trying to get to London by train the cheapest I could do it for was £35 so decided I'd rather go to the nec and spend the £35 on stash!!!!!!!!

[yarong]

I have just been told about a great "freebie." KARS and Aceville publications will be doing a joint promotion at the NEC next month. The promo is a free Cuttlebug when you take out any Aceville 12 month subscription- Crafts Beautiful, Quick & Crafty and Let's Make Cards-the subscriptions are between £36 and £45-what a bargain. I think I shall be going to the NEC

[biskit]

I haven't managed to get to any shows the last few months but am going to the NEC, but I'm also interested in the Art Materials show thats covered in the ticket cost making it three shows this year with the Christmas one.

[Lynnda]

that is a great offer. last year at Harrogate they gave away Big Shots with two subscriptions from Practical Publishing

[Victoria]

Does anyone know when the next one is at the NEC ?

[Lynnda]

it is Thursday 13th November to Sunday 16th November
My best friend has her 50th birthday that weekend and she lives miles away from me so we are meeting up there to celebrate!!

[ani]

another vote for Ally Pally

[ninepurrs]

You can get your tickets to the NEC for £2.25 (http://www.tesco.com/clubcard/deals/browse.aspx?N=4294965879+4294965627) in Tesco clubcard points. Bargain, just wish I could afford the £100+ that I'd probably spend!

[SHARICA]

I got my tickets with tesco clubcard a few weeks ago, Hubbs took the day off to drive me there and carry the Stuff :)

[mjm]

Interesting topic, I personally like NEC better having done both, and the November NEC is better than the March one as somebody else said with the arts material live show aswell, some interseting different stalls and cheap canvases!!! I quite liked ally pally and entrance and parking is certainly better priced (it's the one thing that really bugs me about NEC!) But as it was a smaller room felt more cramped although it was the saturday, and saturday at NEC gets like that. I try to go Thursday or Friday it's quieter and more spacious! That's my two penneth for what it's worth!

[SHARICA]

We go on thursday's, We take my mam cos she loves Crafting as much as me.
Once we went, 4 days after we bought a new car, First new car we had ever had.. When we got back to it someone had scratched it right down to the Metal, The scratch was about 15 inch long too.. We asked if there were any Security cameras on the Cars/Car Parks and they said No..

[craft fairy]

I exhibit at both the NEC and Ally Pally and I can definately say that Ally Pally is the best for getting around while the NEC is bigger and has more variety.

Yvonne

[Lynnda]

starting to get excited about the NEC, what sort on temperature is it in there? I have no idea what to wear

[SHARICA]

starting to get excited about the NEC, what sort on temperature is it in there? I have no idea what to wear

It gets warm, i just wear a Tshirt and loose comfy trs..

Shaz...xxx:D

[Jill]

I recommend you do not take a coat into the Nec as it gets very warm I wear a light weight cardigan that I can put in my bag.
Yvonne will you have thaose £1-20 flowers you had at Hinkley at the NEC I love them!!!!

[jackie40]

I recommend you do not take a coat into the Nec as it gets very warm I wear a light weight cardigan that I can put in my bag.
Yvonne will you have thaose £1-20 flowers you had at Hinkley at the NEC I love them!!!!

Oh no, what am I missing :D :o - Yvonne whats your website - getting my list sorted at the moment, and it could do with some flowers added :lol::lol::lol:

[glanlew21]

Hi all,
I used to live in Birmingham but moved to Swansea several years ago. I still go to the NEC every year as its great to stock up and see whats new. I'm lucky as my sister still lives up in Brum so I cadge an overnight stay as its too much to do in one day. I'm going on Sunday this year (without the kids - yeah!!) hope its a little quieter.

[~amanda~]

oo how do you get the vouchers via tesco??? is it by post.... just wondereing if i would get them in time....

also My vouchers are in £10 amounts do I get the rest of the amount to use on something else.. don't usually do the deals

[Wisher]

get them via the tesco website - mine took 48 hours to arrive so you have plenty of time. You enter your voucher coupon code and the "change" gets credited to your next lot of vouchers

[~amanda~]

thanks, hopefully my friend will take me, if not then there is a coach....

oooooo excited :)

off to get my tickets, what a bargain..... and they have to be done by 5th nov

[craft fairy]

Hi Jill,

Yes I'll have them. They sell so well that I've packed 400 of them.

Yvonne