Connoisseurs of unusual, handcrafted jewellery, ceramics and local delicacies may be interested in the Malta Artisan Market being held at the Maria Rosa Winery in Attard next weekend.

The fair, known as Malta’s authentic local market, enjoys a reputation for offering quality, affordable products direct from carefully selected artists and food producers in historic or architecturally interesting locations around the island.

Organiser Lisa Grech saw an opportunity for a genuine market where locals and tourists could find Maltese-produced arts and crafts and she came up with the idea in 2011.

“The market in Valleta in my eyes did no favours for promoting Maltese culture since most of their products are imported... I knew I had to showcase some of the best fare in some of our best locations,” she said.

Ms Grech, who organises a number of fairs throughout the year, said she wanted to create a social hub where friends and family could meet.

It is also a good place for children to get some first-hand experience of the “art of making”.

The artists will have time to explain why and how things are made, and there will also be a few workshops for children.

This time the fair will be organised on a wine estate and will provide a good mix to suit everyone’s tastes, from tango music to horse drawn rides, as well as olive oil and wine tastings.

Entrance to the fair – which runs from 6pm to 11pm on July 13 and 14 – is free.

Others will be held in September, November and December in various locations.

For more information visit www.maltaartisanmarkets.com or keep posted through Facebook.