THERE'S no escaping the fact that the festive juggernaut is looming on the horizon.

Shops are stacked with cards, wrapping paper, gifts and food, and the Christmas lights will be turned on next week.

If that's not enough to get you in the mood for the annual jamboree of joy, peace and love, then you clearly need to start Christmas shopping.

But where to start? Sheer convenience may tempt us fill your Santa stockings with the three-for-two offers at the high street chains and supermarkets, but it's hardly original. And does your sister-in-law really need another set of lavender bath salts and soaps?

If you want to find something a little bit different, it may pay to visit the LoveCraft Fair, heading for the basement of City Screen cinema, off Coney Street, York, a week on Sunday.

It's the brainchild of two York women, Laura Clark and Emma Allnutt, who were so fed up of failing to find unusual and funky knick-knacks, they decided to start making their own.

Laura, who works full time at The University of York's planning office, spends her spare time crafting funky jewellery. Emma's passion for making bags and purses is a 24/7 pursuit. LoveCraft is their first joint venture and will be a showcase for some of the most contemporary hand-made goods in the UK; everything from crochet corsages and hand-embroidered silk pillows to stylish sweaters and jazzy jewellery.

It will be a world away from the traditional British craft fair, which is exactly what Laura and Emma intend.

Laura said: "In my experience, craft fairs tend to appeal to an older generation. I am not knocking them as they are aimed at that market. Most things are knitted - baby clothes, cross-stitch, cushions with animals embroidered on them.

"I've been taking my jewellery to craft fairs for a while but never really found one where my things fitted in. It's bold and modern-looking, with silver and semi-precious stones. I've travelled quite a lot and over the years taken lots of inspiration from abroad."

Vendors will be coming to LoveCraft from across Yorkshire and as far afield as Glasgow and Nottingham. One thing they will share, says Laura, is a vision for hip but affordable clothing, accessories and homewares.

And there is another link - "Everything has to be hand-made by the person who is selling it," said Laura.

Both women believe there is a growing market for contemporary crafts.

Laura said: "When I was in my teens we all used to wear the same things, nowadays teens like to look a lot more original."

The duo also believe that we are all getting a lot more craftier ourselves.

Emma said: "Years ago, someone would not admit their jumper was homemade. But now people are realising they can have a hobby and still have a job and a social life. And they are realising that they can use the crafts to make modern things."

Emma and Laura are fine examples of this. Both women are pretty much self taught and began making goods after failing to find affordable and attractive items in the shops.

Emma learned how to make bags and to crochet and embroider from the internet.

She said: "People show you how to do everything from weaving and candle-making to soap-making online."

Armed with her new skills, an old sewing machine and a pile of tartan she had inherited from her gran, Emma began making bags and purses. A hobby quickly turned into something more time consuming.

"I'd lie in bed and think of new designs and new patterns to try," she said.

Laura and Emma began selling their goods on etsy (www.etsy.com), the craft community's answer to eBay.

In fact, that's how they met. "I saw Laura was from York and suggested doing a craft fair together," said Emma.

If the people of York fall in love with LoveCraft, the duo hope to run more fairs next year.

LoveCraft Fair, City Screen Basement Bar, York, Sunday November 19, 11am-4pm. Entry: 50p.

For more information, visit www.lovecraftfair.co.uk