Casa Christmas market showcases handmade wares

By Justin Seward - Lethbridge Herald on November 19, 2024.

Herald photo by Justin Seward Barb Bernie picks out some ceramic ornaments during Christmas at Casa on Saturday.

The annual Christmas at Casa market had a bit of something of the handmade variety for attendees over the weekend.

There were 50 local artisans that had their wares on display and included anything from potters to weavers and clothing.

“It’s all handmade gifts, all locally made and stuff that you’re not going to find at your traditional fair,” said Steven Foord, engagement manager for the Allied Arts Council.

“This is unique gift ideas that you can kind of bring home.”

The market gives attendees the opportunity to explore the vendors from the different studios in the building.

“It’s a great opportunity to come down to Casa and see all of the different elements of this beautiful building that gets used a lot and walking around and seeing just all the little nooks that maybe you haven’t seen,” said Foord.

The Christmas feel started on the Friday night with Santa coming and taking pictures with the kids, the new addition of the mini-European market with gluhwein, a German mulled wine ,and kids could enjoy hot chocolate.

There was music from the Christmas 1965 group that performed the whole Peanuts Christmas album live while the movie was playing in the background, as well as a surf rock Christmas album from the Adventures and there were other musicians playing throughout both days.

“That music kind of flowing through the building as well as some other groups that are just doing kind of traditional Christmas music … just really kind of fills the air and all the lights and all that kind of stuff makes it feel like Christmas,” said Foord.

Shauna Hayward is an original artisan of the Christmas at Casa and in the city with her Mad Fish Glass lamwork glass beads business.

“The ambience,” said Hayward, in what keeps her coming back.

“It’s a great place to display your items and the people that come here appreciate handmade and so that always keeps me coming back every year.”

Hayward tries to do something different every year ,including changing up her bead pattern this year from her original smooth ones.

“So this year I’ve got beads that have texture to them,” said Hayward.

“I got some mica sparkle this year. So that gets added into the glass, so that’s different.”