There was something satisfying in a variety of ways about our visit to the Association of Artesans’ Christmas Craft Fair in La Herradura, the elements of a beautiful day woven together into an unforgettable memory, silver as the bay under a hazy winter sky, golden as the purity of talent and the sincerity of the worthy cause, a percentage of the profits going towards the Spanish Association Against Cancer (AECC).
Most people enjoy a stroll around a market, a bit of a nose, a bit of a chat, and most are hopeful that they may find something a little different, original and special. Some markets deliver, while others, as most market strollers know only too well, sometimes fall more than a little short. This annual market fair, held this year in the Centro Cultural Jate, below the Municipal Market, was quite simply one of the best we have ever seen, the standards of craftsmanship and the range of goods far surpassing our expectations, as you can see from the photographs in this article. This year displays included jewellery, silver, ceramics, paintings, handbags and accessories, Tiffany and Gaudi style glassware, sculpture, wood crafts, home decor accessories, hand painted angels, cherubs and nativities, candles, fabrics, clothing, leather products, puzzle games, and edibles.
The atmosphere too was dynamic and very friendly. Having been invited by our friend and business associate Jane Warnick of the interior design shop Annie Sloan, who co-organised the fair on behalf of the association with Jenny of Alas y Cia Granada, we were fortunate enough to be introduced to most of the artisans themselves and what an interesting and friendly group of people they were! There was no mass produced trivia, no sleight of hand, no gimmicks. It was all real, each item hand-made and individual.