Dave Bradford is Crafts Beautiful Best of Crafts 2022 winner!

Let us take you back to July 2022, one of the most memorable moments for us that month was that we’d been nominated in the Crafts Beautiful Best of Craft Awards! You may remember that we announced that HobbyMaker was nominated for the Most Loved Crafts TV Shopping Channel and our very own, Dave Bradford, was nominated for Crafting Man of the Year.

After a much anticipated wait, we’re absolutely delighted to say that although we didn’t win the award for Most Loved Crafts TV Shopping Channel, we were acknowledged as highly commended – a fantastic achievement for us and since launching less than a year ago, it’s something we can certainly be proud of. Great news, right?

However, the even better news is that even though Dave was up against some incredible competition – he’s come out on top and won Male Craft Personality of the year. Congratulations Dave!

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A message from Dave:

“I’m absolutely delighted at being chosen as the crafting man of the year. It has come as a complete surprise and was totally unexpected. The other nominees are all so talented, I didn’t think I stood a chance. I was chuffed just being nominated. It was my partner Rob that I first told about being nominated. He was as gobsmacked as me. My parents were next and they were over the moon. They watch HobbyMaker more than any other channel I’ve worked on over my 30 years on TV. That to me says HobbyMaker are getting it right. Praise indeed from Angela and John!

The end of 2021 was a very turbulent time for craft. It was at this time I heard about a new channel starting called HobbyMaker. Being chosen to launch HobbyMaker along with Sara Davies has certainly been a highlight in 2022 for me. There are lots of things I love about working at HobbyMaker. The main things are the interaction between us in the studio and the crafters watching. The fact they can send an instant message from our website and seconds later it’s on the screen. Also I can see the Christian names of everybody ordering during the show. It’s a great buzz when you realise everybody is loving the item that you are showing at the time. The crew also help to make it a fun and enjoyable day! My hopes for 2023 is for HobbyMaker to win favourite channel. To get highly commended in less than a year is pretty impressive."

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Things you might not know about Dave

What's your crafting fuel?

Lemon Green Tea is my thing. Ask the crew, they keep me topped up and that’s what keeps me going for the 5 hours.

What's on your crafting playlist?

Jack Savorretti and Greek composer Yanni.

What's your go-to project?

I’m currently making a 1- 200 scale model of the Titanic. I’m obsessed. The Titanic and Concorde are my 2 passions, I can't wait to get my model of the Titanic finished.

Last thing you made?

My last art project was my sketch of Highclere castle (Downton Abbey). Actor Hugh Bonneville agreed to sign it and we auctioned it for Charity. It raised thousands for NHS Together and I would never have thought of doing it if it hadn’t been for Sandra and Sanntangle. Sandra Rushton has been my biggest inspiration. She gave me the encouragement to pick up a pen and pencil and start sketching.

Guilty Pleasure?

Red Wine.

Go-to Karaoke Song?

Angels – Robbie Williams.

Most embarrassing on air incident?

There’s been so many! Splitting my trouser on air. The producer spotted that the back of my jeans had completely split, I didn’t realise – I had to go and change them. Although, I’m not the only one to have done this on air!

If you could be any animal, what would it be?

My cat, she gets totally spoilt.

What advice would you give someone new to crafting?

Give it a go!!! Try something out of your comfort zone and you might be surprised. Also watch and record demonstrations, it’s like you’re getting a free one on one with the experts.

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Once again, a huge congratulations to Dave Bradford!

The awards and acknowledgements were based on readers votes, it means so much to us to know that you love HobbyMaker and what we do here! We’d like to take a moment to thank you, our truly amazing customers, supporters and the whole of the HobbyMaker family for supporting us and taking the time to vote.

Interested to find out more about the other presenters and the rest of the HobbyMaker Team?

Get to know the team here

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For the full list of winners:

Visit Crafts Beautiful - Best of Craft Awards here.