A CRAFT emporium will open this weekend. 

Ruth Murray, 43, is from Haltwhistle and owns the business Blissful Bee Designs, which sells various bespoke craft items.

She established the Haltwhistle Makers' Market and Craft Emporium, to give local artists the chance to exhibit their work. It will open on Saturday, October 14 at Westbourne House, next to the Post Office.

"It's a collective of local artists and makers," Ruth said. "We're renting out space to different artists.

"I do decoupage art so I've been doing craft fairs throughout summer and we have a lot of local talent. I was inspired by The Forge at Allendale as they run something similar, so I thought it would be really good for the community in Haltwhistle."

More than 20 local makers are involved in the emporium so far.

The Craft Emporium will open seven days a week from 10am-5pm Monday-Saturday and 10-4 on Sunday.

"We've got a vast variety of products, from local honey to handmade cosmetics, needlefelt, painters and photographers.

"It's going to be a real mix of everything. Going forward, we're going to stock craft supplies," Ruth added.