By Nicola Ogilvie, Just Sew
When I lived in England I enjoyed many weekend days mooching around craft markets, an activity I have found somewhat limited since moving to Geneva. I always go to the Unicrea markets and enjoy the Coppet garden show but would like to spend more weekends mooching, admiring, and buying gifts and unique hand made products.
But there is good news for fellow moochers, a new series of craft markets is coming to the area! On the 30th and 31st May the first UpMarket Market is being held at the Hotel Beau Rivage in the center of Nyon. It is the same weekend as the Marché de Puce on the streets of Nyon making it a great day of mooching.
The Purple Thistle
The UpMarket Markets are the brain child of 3 inspirational designers who felt that the only opportunities to show and sell their wares were over the Christmas period and they would like to offer the opportunity to show their stuff throughout the year. They also drew on their experience from going to markets in other places they have lived and felt that people who had seen and admired their creations liked to know that they could return and find the same artisans at a future market. So if you see the perfect present for a dear friend but do not need it now or are in the middle of decorating a room, see the perfect cushion, but have not yet finalised your colour scheme, you know you could return to the same seller in the future.
So the first market is on the 30th and 31st May in Nyon, the second is 26th and 27th November again in Nyon and the third is 30th October and 1st November in Divonne at the lake.
Brit Chic
I will be at the first market, as part of the concept is to make the markets a joy for all the family and so there will be activities for children as well as tea and cakes. In theme with the market the activities for children are creative: I will be offering a mini sewing activity and Creative Monsters will be there offering mini artistic projects.
The market will have over 30 exhibiters, all of whom have been judged to be true artisans, None will be reselling. They will include The Purple Thistle with her lovely Harris tweed cushions and bags among other items, Bedes Beads with her innovative jewellery designs, Brit Chic with the cutest clothes for children, a chocolatier called Chocokirsi, Ren&Clar and their divine candles, and 2 artisans who recycle to create innovative lights and furniture. I can’t wait to see all these talented people in one spot.
Bedes Beads
So if you enjoy a good mooch, and talented innovative crafts people, come along on Saturday or Sunday between 10 and 4. Drop by the children’s crafting area next to the tea and cakes area and say Hi.
For more information go to www.upmarketmarkets.events.
Author's bio
Nicola Ogilvie has been sewing as long as she can remember, and loves new challenges. From a very early age, she has attempted most things you can make on a sewing machine, from creating her own wedding dress and recovering a chair to quilting and embroidery. In her early career, she was employed by Courtaulds, working in a factory making underwear for Marks & Spencer!
Through her sewing business, Just Sew, Nicola now shares her passion with a new generation. She runs workshops, mostly for children, and teaches in the after-school program of a local international school. She loves the fact that even the youngest get a great sense of satisfaction from their completed projects. After a number of requests, she will soon be offering courses aimed at adults.
Although sewing is clearly Nicola’s thing, she admires all craftsmen and women, and loves to see how people use their creativity.
