Crackers About Christmas

A British Christmas Market in Sale

The weather was great, the crowds rolled in – on Saturday (30th November) Sale was rockin’!

Our aim, with Crackers About Christmas – A British Christmas Market was to create a beautiful shopping occasion which showcased the amazing talent of local independents.

The rooms in The Waterside Centre, which included Sale Town Hall’s gorgeous Council Chamber looked fantastic as exhibitors dressed their stalls to perfection.

Over 500 people came through the doors, browsing the stalls and buying early Christmas presents, stocking fillers and maybe a treat or two for themselves.

If you came and ran out of cash, didn’t get chance to visit all the stalls, or couldn’t make it, then please do visit our exhibitors online (there are links to them below).

It was an amazing, if exhausting day. A big thank you to all our exhibitors, to everyone who turned out to support Crackers About Christmas and to my team of helpers (husband, friends, Roman’s and Countrymen) who helped the day run so smoothly and buttered up the traffic wardens to make sure we didn’t all get tickets when unloading!

We’ll be planning our 2014 event programme very soon – watch this space for some super exciting ideas.

Alison x (your 4Manchester Women Editor)

Photographs: Alison Staple, Rachael Adams

Pop up cocktail bar & mulled wine

Lock 91 Creating a home from home atmosphere where we encourage you to sit long, talk lots and laugh often. We are a small independent bar in an old restored Lock Keepers Cottage on The Bridgewater Canal. We aspire to bring back the long lost ‘Cheers’ factor where everybody actually does know your name!

Some people say there’s no place like home well, we beg to differ! web: lock-91.co.uk

Meet our exhibitors

The Marvellous Vodka Company was developed by grown ups for grown ups in a secret location in South Manchester. After much experimenting we believe we have come up with a truly marvellous selection of delicious flavoured vodkas. web: marvellousvodka.co.uk

Tiggy’s Brownie Co It’s the ingredients we use and the way we bake our brownies that make Tiggy’s brownies different. We use rich plain chocolate and quality branded additions like Galaxy milk, Terry’s chocolate orange and Reese’s peanut butter cups. web: tiggysbrownieco.co.uk

Baba+Boo You’ll find a fantastic range of reusable cloth nappies, unusual, funky clothing and accessories to keep your little treasure looking tip top! web: babaandboo

The Moocher Wild, foraged and rare breed Food Producers. Our classic Home Produce includes delicious pies, scotch eggs, chutneys and gorgeous Christmas hampers. Come and have a mooch! web: themoocher.co.uk

MishMish is a new local, Manchester business delivering delicious, homemade food boxes (feel good, real good ‘ready meals’) to your door. web: mishmishfood

Candy Peel Treat yourself to some delicious cakes and take away teas and coffees. web: candypeel

MisHelenEous I design and make pretty handmade gifts for you, your home and your dog. Assisted by my inspiration, companion and model, Border Terrier Whiskey. web: MisHelenEous

Choc N Roll are a chocoholics dream. Artisan chocolatiers making amazeballs bespoke cakes for all occasions and super scrummy yummy handmade chocolates and gifts. What’s not to love? web: chocnroll

Tree House Crafts Home accessories and interior textiles. Beautiful personalised hand made gifts and stunning Christmas decorations. web: treehousecrafts

Pat & Peg Handmade funky handbags and jewellery. No two of our ‘Eleanor’s Attic’ bags are alike – handmade from durable, waterproof PVC-coated cotton. Our jewellery is by Lesley Phillips – unique designs that are not mass produced and totally original. web: patandpeg.co.uk

Vanilla Closet Boutique Online boutique offering an exciting mix of clothes to suite a wide range of tastes at affordable prices. Gorgeous designs from the Catwalk to your home. web: vanillacloset

Minimanna Beautiful handmade things for your home made from designer and precious up-cycled fabrics. web: Minimanna

GLEAM Jewellery is an online boutique selling a blend of wearable, luxurious and contemporary jewellery from up and coming independent brands. web: Gleamjewellery

Ivy Bell Artisan Baking Kits are a range of loaf cakes that allow everyone to cook a great cake from scratch and come with a ready to cook card cake box. The range includes, the fruit loaf, date and walnut loaf and the latest addition the triple chocolate loaf. web: ivybellbakingkits

The Ale Man Promoting amazing craft beers sourced locally, nationally and internationally – delivered straight to your door. We provide beer that caters for all, from novice to connoisseur. web: thealeman

Ethical Boutique A fabulous collection of unique textiles, stylish interiors and statement jewellery all ethically sourced. An alternative way to shop . . . making a difference!

Kate P Sews is me and my sewing machine. I love sewing and would love to sew for you. web: KatePSews

Jureco Wines & Beers We promote and sell award winning Slovenian fine wines, including Istenic’s celebrated Penina (Slovenian Sparkling wine) and Vina Koper’s wide range of unique fine wines. “Slovenian wines are meticulously crafted, hazardously drinkable, and definitely deserve our attention!” web: Jurecowinesandbeers

Re-Papered….Re-Painted….Re-Loved….
Gifts and original artwork all influenced and handcrafted with recycled and found books, papers and ephemera. Reclaimed furniture and homeware – some with a quirky paper twist! web: Re-papered

The Lounge Gallery A mobile contemporary craft gallery, bringing a wealth of UK handmade pieces direct to your home or place of work (Peas in a Pod by Helen Russell Creations). web: LoungeGallery

Myro Doodles Illustration Unique hand-drawn illustrations, greetings cards and pretty things inspired by henna, Ukrainian culture and pure imagination. web: Myrodoodles

Muck & Magic Nearly Organic Gardening Company We offer garden maintenance and design, championing the use of water butts and home composting. We sell natural Christmas decorations and plants as well as offering gardening advice.* web: MuckandMagic

Olive & Rose Beautiful and wholesome skincare, locally handmade from natural ingredients, carefully chosen and blended for their beneficial effects on your skin – enhancing your natural beauty. web: Oliveandrose

My Craftea Day Creative, fun and stylish craft workshops for adults and kids. We also sell craft kits and ‘crafty jars’ of buttons, ribbons and fabrics-perfect gifts! web: Mycrafteaday

Sarah & David’s Waunforgan’s Vintage Gorgeous vintage china, embroidered linens and cutlery. Treat yourself to everything you’ll need for a proper vintage tea party!

Christine Evans is the Artist on a Bike! Juicy bike screen prints, vintage maps cut into bikes, key rings, colourful bike brooches, cards galore. You don’t have to like bikes to love my work! web: Christineevans

Parsnip & Bramble are a thoroughly British baby clothing company creating original, hand cut designs ideal for new baby gifts and baby showers. web: Parsnipandbramble