Liverpool Summer Arts Market: The Skinny's highlights

Now in its third year, the Summer Arts Market is becoming something of a Liverpool institution, taking over the beautiful St. George's Hall with more than 100 artists, designers and makers proffering their wares, from paintings and screen prints to accessories, tableware and textiles.

This coming weekend (18-19 Jul), there's a huge amount of choice on offer, and while you should browse freely (and purchase generously!) in the spirit of the thing, we thought we'd put together a few tips for who to look out for – beginning with some of the artists who help make our magazine look beautiful every month!

The Skinny are pleased to have a stall at this weekend's market, where artist Camille Smithwick will be exhibiting both days – check out our Showcase of her ceramic work here. On Saturday she will be joined by illustrator Georgina Tee, and on Sunday by Jonzo risograph studio co-founder Rachel Davey – who designed our Christmas issue cover last year – as well as Bruïsed Studio's Nick Booton. Come and find us!

There is of course a huge range of talent elsewhere – here's our shortlist of exhibitors to look out for... 

The Skinny Selects at Summer Arts Market:

Hannah Bitowski 
As co-creator of Queen of the Track feminist zine and past collaborator with the Costumologists collective (who've been making Kazimier parties – and this year's Sounds from the Other City festival – look wacky and wild), Hannah has a truly distinctive artistic style. She also makes rather fabulous tights. Don't miss her stall! hannahbitowski.blogspot.co.uk

Laura-Kate Draws
LJMU graduate Laura describes her dreamy illustrative style as 'lovingly meticulous'. Interested in pattern and colour, as well as typography, Laura brings her lightly fantastical aesthetic to a range of projects, designing everything from tattoos to wallpaper and new letter forms. laura-katedraws.co.uk

Kim Lawler AKA Finest Imaginary
Finest Imaginary is the Yorkshire-based independent studio of Kim Lawler, specialising in laser-cut jewellery and homeware designs in bright, delectable colours – we're big fans of the burger coasters and cactus earrings! finestimaginary.com

Yvonne Matthews AKA Vonny Bee
Beekeeper Yvonne Matthews makes natural health and beauty products in harmonious co-operation with her friends, the bees. Trained in the biodynamic method of beekeeping, utilising the energies of the sun and moon, she treats the hive with homeopathic remedies rather than harmful chemicals. vonnybee.com

Matthew Storrow AKA Mock Up Design Labs
Liverpool-based graphic designer Matthew Storrow has lots of experience designing for musicians and the music industry – everything from badges to posters and album artwork. He also has some great designs taking inspiration from Liverpool buildings, in moody blue and purple hues. mockupdesignlabs.com

Alison Appleton
Everyone loves tea. And Alison Appleton makes everything you need to truly enjoy the making (and drinking) of tea! An expert in ancient Chinese ceramics, she established her studio in 1998, and her shapely ceramics in earth and pastel shades have been improving the experience of drinkers ever since. alisonappleton.com

Rheannon Ormond
Monochromatic and meticulously detailed, Rheannon's works in pen, ink and watercolour are beguiling and romantic, taking inspiration from nature, history and dark narratives. She's designed for local outfits Harvest Sun, Open Culture and The Reader Organisation, and is no stranger to St. George's Hall either, having designed the artwork for the Winter Arts Market 2013. rheannon-ormond.co.uk