Patches artisan market celebrated the run-up to Christmas with its ninth edition, held on the first Sunday of Advent. Valletta’s indoor market (is-Suq tal-Belt) hosted over 50 stalls and a variety of entertainment and activities. Organised by Denise Scicluna, the market has introduced and promoted new talent to the public since May 2010.
Carla Said’s ‘Rita Cholita’ stall was perhaps the most fanciful, with passers-by encouraged to purchase woolly fungi from a tray- Peter Farrugia
With brilliant gift ideas and stocking-fillers, beautiful handmade jewellery, fashions and tasty treats, this will necessarily be a quick tour through some of the fair’s highlights.
First up, Ċeramika Maltija displayed a selection of items that blend traditional style and innovative design. An institution of Maltese craft, their Attard shop is a first stop for quality ceramics.
Carla Said’s ‘Rita Cholita’ stall was perhaps the most fanciful, with passers-by encouraged to purchase woolly fungi from a tray entitled ‘The Mushroom Appreciation Society’, or adopt crochet octopuses and ganutell crabs. One cuddly octopus certainly not for sale was Otto, surrounded by photographs of his adventures around the world.
Complete with an inflatable cactus and plateful of biscuits, the stall’s overall effect was Almodovar meets ‘In the Night Garden’ .
Sarah Micallef’s nearby table offered embroidered bookmarks, hot water bottles, notebooks and large baroque neckpieces. There were cushions delicately stitched with horses and dragonflies, and belts in silky material. A very elegant and expensive aesthetic at affordable prices makes Micallef’s creations perfect as gifts, and an album of work is available on her Facebook page ‘The Secret Rose’.
Screen printer Alexandra Aquilina sold her ‘Tal-Indie’ rabbit tote bags and T-shirts, as well as 1950s style calendars in bright colours.
Entirely self-taught, discussing her technique gave an interesting look into the dedication necessary to manufacture this kind of product.
‘Caper Collection’ had cloth dolls in unexpected patterns, and tucked by the stairs was an SPCA fundraising stall with various items contributed by Patches’artisans. “Peaches and Cream’ by Victoria Theuma presented an eclectic collection of custom jewellery.
Lara Schembri’s lifestyle stall ‘Hey birdie-pie!’ (also on Facebook) included clothing and accessories discovered in local thrift shops. Schembri’s mini-store generated a lot of interest from vintage lovers who feel restricted by the lack of vintage-ware available on the island.
‘Create Hope (Crafts for Charity)’ sold bubble wrap Advent calendars and magnetic nativity scene puzzles, with proceeds going to the missions in Pakistan. Meanwhile, Manchester-based ‘Garbage Pets’ presented handmade toys, each with their own wacky personality.
Finally there’s Maria Muscat and her Babettopolis – an emporium of the weird, wonderful and downright strange. Any attempt to describe the display is bound to fall short so I’ll refer you to Facebook (just search for ‘Babettopolis’) and Naxxar boutique The Odd Spot, where her work is sold exclusively.
Visitors to Muscat’s corner of the market were met by doll-headed pendants with pelvis faces, crowned like the Infant of Prague, carefully shaped felt hats and deconstructed brassieres, feather-strewn shoes and my favourite, a calligraphic bird brooch cut out of salvaged leather strips. When we take Breton’s words to heart and accept that “only the marvellous is beautiful”, Muscat is one to watch for bringing the marvellous to Malta’s craft scene.
Patches continues to be a valuable asset for artists, designers, collectors and craftspeople looking to display and sell their work in acreative environment. Perhaps the next step is finding a more permanent home for Maltese crafts (maybe in the woefully underused Suq), cultivating and supporting the dynamic growth of local creative industries.