It is the creative exhibitors who are at the heart of Marktfees, the two women behind the annual Christmas market now on at the Tramways Building in Port Elizabeth say.
Friends Relda Schoeman and Sonja Harrison started Marktfees seven years ago at the Montage art gallery in Walmer and had no idea it would grow to the extent that it now fills the cavernous space at Tramways in the Baakens Valley.
However, Schoeman and Harrison’s blend of carefully chosen arts, crafts and food – nearly all designed, sewn, baked, built, carved, bottled or otherwise cooked up in and around Nelson Mandela Bay and the Garden Route – is a hit with the public.
“So many people would like to start their own business or they want more exposure. Our role is to give them that exposure – and make them happy,” Harrison said.
“We both did markets but we didn’t have a good experience, so we didn’t want that to happen with our exhibitors.”
And that happy creativity rubs off on the buying public who each year flock to buy the lifestyle and hand-crafted goods.
Each year a charity – Cheshire Home Cleary Park – receives a large percentage of the proceeds.
“Relda and I both grew up in an environment where we were taught not just to take but to share with others,” Harrison said.
“Especially this year we asked the public, when you go shopping for gifts, don’t just buy a whole lot of random presents but think of the person, reconnect with them, look them in the eye and embrace the time you have together.”
Because of this underlying ethos, they wanted to send out a warm and heart-felt message on Tuesday’s opening night.
As Marktfees opened in October, which is breast cancer awareness month, Cheshire Home regional manager Hilary Bolton asked Walmer mother of four Lauren Rushmere to speak on her personal experience of breast cancer.
“We asked Hilary to organise someone who would be able to speak about connecting and Lauren shared such a beautiful story,” Harrison said.
Its power was seen in how Rushmere’s words hushed the hubbub of shoppers, obviously striking a resonant note for the mostly female clientele. Rushmere is now clear of cancer.
This is the third year of Marktfees at Tramways and the organisers have seen several exhibitors go on to start their own small business and some now also export their products.
“It’s the exhibitors who give life to Marktfees: we enjoy their creativity and how each year we see a little step-up in their work and how their confidence grows,” Harrison said.
As well as food and drink, Marktfees includes ceramics, handmade furniture and jewellery, art, decor items, laser products, handcrafted knives, wooden products, women’s, baby and children’s clothing.
The market will be open until 3pm on Saturday and entry is R20.
For more information, contact: Relda Schoeman, 083-321-5118, or Sonja Harrison, 072-519-4474.