Arts and crafts ADVENT

At the invitation of Family and Friends e. V., many creative people from Berlin and elsewhere will spend a day presenting what they have created in their studios and workshops from materials as diverse as wood, paper, fabric, silk, wool, precious metals, leather, colours, stones and clay.

The exchange with interested parties directly at the stand is a highlight of their otherwise often solitary work, so it is part of the special concept of this market that people can learn a lot about the artists' craft techniques, materials or production methods.

This arts and crafts Advent market is organised and hosted by Claudia Scholz and Stefan Piltz. Both are also responsible for the other beautiful city culture markets during the Advent season: the ‘kunsthandwerklicher ADVENT’ on 8 December, which will take place for the first time in Leonhardtstraße, the premiere of the brand new Christmas market on 14 and 15 December under the apt name ‘WEINachten’ at Ludwig-Beck-Platz and ‘Weihnachten im Westend’ on 21 and 22 December 2024 in Preußenallee.

‘Together with the exhibitors, we always look forward to the market on Karl-August-Platz, as the festively decorated, uniform stalls around the imposing church create a magical atmosphere every time. Claudia Scholz from Family and Frieds e. V. is convinced that anyone looking for gifts, entertainment or company will not be disappointed.

From small, handmade hair ornaments to postcards, pictures or wreaths to utility or large-format art, there is something to suit every taste and budget, for example: knitted scarves and shawls made from merino and silk marl, among other things. from merino and silk morino, sewn bags and muffs, Christmas decorations and gifts made from beads, watercolour prints or originals with nature and fantasy motifs, hand-painted wooden pendants, postcards, Christmas cards, unique items turned from wood such as vases, bowls, jewellery, writing implements or mugs, felt bags, unique upcycled picture frames made from leftover wood from fruit crates or New Year's Eve rocket wood, a wide range of photo products from calendars to mugs, Advent arrangements and wreaths, wallets and small leather goods, utility and art objects made from ceramics, watercolour paintings with motifs from Lake Lietzensee or fairytale books for children written and printed in Berlin. Jewellery with real plants cast in resin by Jenny Tausendfreund, Nina likes functional clothing & accessories, Christian likes Nina. With Elements2Wear, Nina produces sustainable bags, clothes and accessories in small series. The Christmas fretwork comes from H-S Laser, and Katrin Steyer sews bags, scarves, cushions, snack wraps, rain hats and purses designed like animals from beautiful fabrics. Jandee Design is a label by Jandee that is over 50 years old. In his workshop he also makes wallets, tobacco and glasses bags and belt buckles. Fokusimpulse makes natural beauty visible and tangible in their photos and during market visits. To this end, they produce calendars, cards and photo prints. Behind this are Karo and Mayk Ebel. Their motto: Experience nature consciously. Recognising its beauty and importance, appreciating nature, promoting biodiversity and making small contributions to its protection. They write: ‘Our goal is to create a broad social understanding for a future worth living with a high level of biodiversity on our blue planet.’ COST Handarbeit participates year after year with hand-woven items such as scarves, table linen, tea towels and sewn items made from home-woven fabric, because Christine Ostendorf loves weaving more than almost anyone else. The stand of Gianni and Carlos Klein is pleasantly crazy. Both are artistically active in the field of men's and women's hats, caps, beanies, fascinators and headbands - for every day or a special occasion. Helena Hamann, a photographer by profession, is responsible for stars of various sizes made of metallic cardboard.

If you're hungry or thirsty, you won't be left alone here either. The regional and sustainable gastronomy on offer ranges from cheese spaetzle to choripanes, tarte flambée and Pasteis Natus, Speckdealers Wurzn, cheese, wine, spices and pretzels, homemade fruit wines such as blackcurrant, cherry, sloe, chokeberry, pomegranate, home-roasted almonds, which know how to refine the flavour of the fruit wines. Sweet waffles and certified organic coffee specialities round off the taste experience at the Advent market.