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Following the success of last year’s event, Blackpool Winter Gardens Trust is hosting Blackpool Creative Christmas Market on Saturday 30th November, bringing 50 local independent traders together under one roof.
Christmas is a time for giving, but that shouldn’t mean we’re forced into spending a fortune on mass-produced goods that line the pockets of big corporations. One or two thoughtful gifts can mean so much to our loved ones, but choosing them can take up valuable time in what often is the busiest time of the year for so many of us.
So this Christmas season, Blackpool Creative Market is taking the stress out of buying gifts for your loved one by bringing together 50 local independent traders under one roof for Blackpool’s biggest Christmas market. And with family entertainment and crafty workshops to take part in too, it promises to bring joy and gladness back into the Christmas shopping experience. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”51854″ img_size=”large” css=””][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]On Saturday 30 November the Winter Gardens Pavilion will be transformed into a festive marketplace with stalls selling handmade crafts, original artwork, artisan jewellery and homeware and so much more. The stalls are hosted by Blackpool artists and makers selling their unique products, meaning you’ll be supporting local independent traders and purchasing sustainable gifts that are good for the planet and good for your pocket too.
This is the third annual Blackpool Christmas Creative Market hosted by the Winter Gardens Trust, and started by Blackpool’s High Street Heritage Action Zone project which aims to use Blackpool’s high street heritage as a catalyst for bringing new and diverse uses to the town centre. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”51840″ img_size=”medium” css=””][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”51841″ img_size=”medium” css=””][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”51847″ img_size=”medium” css=””][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1732883116535{background-color: #F1FFF0 !important;}”][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_column_text css=””]
Great gifts from local artists and makers
Many artists will be selling their work at the Christmas Creative Market, including Jayne Stevenson, whose beautiful depictions of local landmarks are always a firm favourite. Stuart Tarpey of Canvas Creations with creative portraits of all your favourite characters, and Sarah Pugsley of Coxyart with prints inspired by Fylde Coast landmarks that make a perfect gift for anyone who’s rightly proud of our vibrant hometown.
There will be tonnes of inspiration for stocking fillers for children, with traders including Josh Ford (aka The Bearded Sewist) selling their handmade plushies, Hex Gregson of Hexagram Designs with their Studio Ghibli inspired crocheted characters and Emily Moore of Foxhat who will have cute stickers and accessories which are sure to put a big smile on your face.
There will also be a variety of ceramics, 3D printed crafts, jewellery, toiletries, candles, specialist teas, beauty products, one of a kind homewares and much more. Textile lovers can discover everything from vintage clothes, hand-knitted baby clothes, hair accessories, tote bags and soft furnishings such as cushions and blankets.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_empty_space height=”25px”][vc_single_image image=”51852″ img_size=”medium” css=””][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_single_image image=”51851″ img_size=”medium” css=””][vc_single_image image=”51838″ img_size=”medium” add_caption=”yes” css=””][/vc_column][vc_column width=”3/4″][vc_column_text css=””]More than just stalls
Alongside this eclectic range of stalls, three local creatives will be hosting sustainability-themed workshops – inviting visitors to drop in and try their hand at making something christmassy themselves.
Lisa Wigham from the Two A.M. Press will be running a Christmas card workshop, where participants can upcycle used greeting cards, adding personalised messages for their loved ones. More info and booking.
Sam Mawdsley will lead one of her ever-popular craft sessions, where participants young and old will be able to make a custom decoration for their Christmas tree using recycled materials. Book here.
Using recycled scrap clay, Chelsea Ladish from Odie’s Pottery will host ceramic decoration painting workshops, giving participants the chance to create something unique and personal to take home with them.
There’ll also be plenty to distract the children while you shop for them: street theatre performers provide interactive entertainment and there will be live music from Rhy Grooves and the Park Academy Brass Band to enjoy too.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”51839″ img_size=”large” add_caption=”yes” css=””][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1732884245508{background-color: #FFF5BB !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]
Highlight on Festive Fashion
Four independent Blackpool traders who are making this year’s Creative Christmas Market stylish tell us about the work that goes into their small business and why they feel it’s important to shop locally this festive season. [/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”51863″ img_size=”large” css=””][vc_column_text css=””]
Helen Rodger, Handcrafted jewellery
“This market is one of the highlights of my year, it showcases the work of the brilliant Blackpool creative community, and I get to be part of that! The public get to see that unique, hand-made, high quality and local art design and craft is very much accessible and affordable. So it’s win win!”
Buying from local and independent traders, she adds “keeps Blackpool and the Fylde Coast as a part of our collective identity. Something we can all be proud of.”[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=””]
Shaan Hicks, The Scarf and Bag Gallery
“The Scarf and Bag Gallery offers accessories and gifts with a little touch of ART!” says Shaan. The Scarf and Bag Gallery features some of the world’s most appreciated paintings incorporated into wearable designs that are sure to turn heads.
“From Claude Monet to Leonardo Da Vinci to Frida Kahlo, why not make an impression with our gorgeous art inspired, quality apparel. Reflecting the masterpieces, whether Van Gogh’s Starry Night or Gustav Klimt’s The Kiss our products make fabulous, unique gifts with Art-itude!”[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=””]
Sameera Al-Hilley, The Vintage Wardrobe
“For Sameera, running her independent business is less about making and more about curating. She sells hand-picked women’s vintage clothing from the 1960s-1990s – taking the handwork out of shopping for anyone who likes the items in their wardrobe to be sustainable and one of a kind.
“Each item is carefully picked based on wearability, condition and how it can be loved in a new wardrobe,” she says. “I firmly believe that there’s vintage out there for everyone, so I always aim to have something for every size and style.
“You can’t beat the feeling of finding an incredible vintage piece, whether that’s for a loved one or yourself. Vintage is so versatile, it can be worn in many different ways and you know you won’t see anyone else in the same thing. There’s so much that goes on behind the scenes of running a small business, especially for those who are creating their own products by hand,” she adds. “By supporting local makers and small business owners, you’re helping us continue to do what we love doing.”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]See you in the Pavilion!
The Winter Gardens Trust is looking forward to bringing Christmas shopping back to the high street on Saturday, so make the most of the ‘feel good factor’ of shopping sustainably while supporting independent local traders. With the added bonus of doing all of your gift shopping in one place on one day while entertaining the family, this opportunity to experience our town’s vibrant creative community is one not to miss![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1732884589661{background-color: #F1FFF0 !important;}”][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_empty_space height=”25px”][vc_single_image image=”51842″ img_size=”medium” css=””][/vc_column][vc_column width=”3/4″][vc_column_text css=””]
Blackpool Creative Market
10am – 4pm, Saturday 30 November 2024
Winter Gardens Pavilion
Blackpool Winter Gardens
Church St
Blackpool
FY1 1HL
FREE ENTRY
Facebook event page
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