This past week-end I participated in a Swedish Christmas Market in Milan. I’ve been busy sewing and crafting for the last few months getting ready for this famous market that happens every two years. I may not be Swedish (although I apparently look it) but I really loved being in the middle of this fantastic market filled with Scandinavians of every kind and interested locals.
The market was located in a beautiful old palazzo called Palazzina Liberty which is situated in the middle of a park not too far from the centre of the city. From what I hear a few thousand people made their way to the Julmarknad to take a look at the Swedish food stalls, crafts and watch some typical Swedish Christmas traditions.
I made children’s smocks, camera straps, felt garlands, button earrings, button hair elastics, button magnets, reversable head bands and Christmas balls (Jill style). It was colourful to say the least.
Surprisingly enough the camera straps were a hit! At first nobody understood what they were for because I had written the sign in English (anyone know how to say camera strap cover in Italian?). By the end of the day I saw a few ladies proudly walking around wearing their new straps. I was proud!
My new goal is to bring the smock back into fashion. I know they are a little old-school but there is nothing cuter than a little girl in a pretty smock. Join the movement to bring the smock back (I take personal orders!).
Overall a very fun day where I got to meet some great new people, buy some lovely Christmas gifts (more about those in a few days) and share my passion for colourful handmade goods with the people of Milan. Can’t wait for the next one in 2014.
Oh and this extremely tall and talented accordion player is reason enough to visit. This guy is amazing. And he’s wearing knickerbockers. What more could you want?
Jillian In Italy 
Congrats! Everything looks amazing, I love how you use colour!
I have two questions:
1. What’s the name of the fabric you used in one of the headbands which has a yellow background and filled with circles of different colours?
2. Can you be contacted somehow by email?
Thank you! Keep up the good work! 🙂
Thanks! I’m not sure about the name of that yellow fabric but I’ll take a look through my fabric scraps to see if I can find it. It is a really lovely cotton (and quite pricey but worth it!).
My contact email is : jillianinitaly@hotmail.com
Dear Jill
sorry that we are so silent the last couple of weeks … we are drowning … but I’ll fill you in on it one of these days. I just wanted to say that you should be proud of yourself! What a lovely stall! And so many nice things!! I want to order some stuff, some button earrings and definitely a smock for my girls! But I promise I’ll call you one of these days. FOr the meantime: congratulations on all your beautiful creations!! And … when are you finally starting up a webshop!!!
xxx
Julieke! I know you must have your hands full at the moment. Poor you! There’s the chance we’ll come to Belgium for xmas so hopefully we can catch up then in person. And there is already a xmas package for you and your girls full of my handmade goods (poor you!). Big kiss to you all!
Your stall looks wonderful. I hope it was a big success. I am busy sewing for my first ever craft fair this Saturday. I am submerged by Eiffel Tower cushions and Christmas ornaments and wondering what I can realistically charge for them?! LOVE your camera straps – wanna do a swap 😉 Also with you on the smock comeback. Have you ever tried Citronille patterns? They have lots of cute smocks.
Pricing is the worst! I don’t know what it’s like in France but here in Italy people go to these markets to save money (it’s the opposite in Canada…people know that handmade goods cost a lot). I kept my prices low so that I sold most of my things.
I’ll have to go check out the Citronille patterns. I’m always on the lookout for a new smock pattern.
And the exchange sounds good!
Absolutely beautiful and so very sad I could not be there to help and enjoy the market – getting better (you are) every time.
You were definitely missed!
Congratulations! Your stall and everything looks absolutely beautiful! So many cool things, and those camera straps are a must! I’m glad it all went well!
Oh wow, what a lot of work! But so worth is, it looks so colorful & happy! Swedish Christmas traditions are the best! Christmas will be over when I’ll be in Stockholm in february, but I’ll make sure to taste some of the winter treats: hmmmmm! By the way, what are the packages of felt (?) circles? Tree decorations?