A Christmas market launched to raise funds for St Mary’s Church has been running in Stoke Newington for a decade.
Run by local artist Elizabeth Smallman, the market features dozens of talented makers. It started life a decade ago in The Old Church but quickly drew a big crowd and now runs out of the big church opposite – always on the last Saturday in November.
This year as well as a brilliant line up of artists, there’ll be a Christmas jumper stall, a Lego table and the obligatory mulled wine and mince pies. Elizabeth will be there with her playful animal lampshades and prints, there’ll be handmade ceramics by Jenny Carlin, macrame crafts by Suju Made, homeware and accessories by Onion Studio and illustrations, jewellery by Pearl Cat Cat and lots more.
The event takes place from 11am till 5pm on Saturday November 30th.
Elizabeth said: “Like all community centres and churches fundraising is an important necessity of life for St. Mary’s. Ten years ago, the idea of running a curated Designer Maker Christmas Market with the added bonus of community spirit was suggested.
“We had six weeks to find 20 awesome designers who were free so close to the festive season. Astonishingly we filled the stalls in time and the mix of two church-led stalls of tasty festive treats and craft blended with the designers work and the market was a massive hit.”
Since that inaugural market things became more organised – planning for market now starts in January each year.
Elizabeth added: “Covid pushed us online but we were back with a jingling of bells and sparkling of stars for 2021 with the shiny new St. Mary’s centre to expand into. Working with the Last Chance Café we were able to expand our food offering and make the market even bigger.
“This is our tenth year and there have been many changes over 2024. Quite a few people have moved, and the market being handed on to their successors. Don’t worry though! Many things are the same but there are new exhibitors to browse as well as some old favourites.
Elizabeth added: “Every year there is a hunt for a very brave volunteer to summit a cherry picker to hang them from the chandeliers inside the church. It is a cold but magical evening that they go up and for many it is the start of Christmas.”
Comments