This weekend I went down to the relaunch of the Wood Street indoor market in Walthamstow. This little treasure is well worth the trip and you could easily spend an hour or two sifting through the quirky little shops filled to the brim with inspiring goodies old and new.
When you walk in it's bit like stepping back into the Victorian times. The little window pains that make up the shop fronts and doors are truly quaint and it gives the market an atmosphere of the old Portobello Road from the film Beadknobs and Broomsticks. From antique furniture, vintage and second hand clothing, bric a brac, videos and records you never know what you might find when you start rummaging. These older vendors are now interspersed with new-comers such as East London Craft Guerilla and cute illustration collective Animaux Circus. These fresh new talents are sure to update the market and encourage more customers to pass through the doors.
It was great to pop into the Craft Guerilla workshop to see how they've managed to turn a shell of a unit into a cute a cosy space to sell their local hand made goods and ready for their new classes. I've been watching the progress of the hand painted wall of the shop on facebook so it was great to see it in person and commend the hard work that's gone into it. Word has it that a knitting group may also be popping up there soon, so keep your eyes peeled for that. They are open: Tues./Wed./Fri./Sat. From 10 am to 5.30 pm
And from March: Wed./Thurs./Fri./Sat. From 10 am to 5.30 pm.
Significant Seams also had a unit and it was great to learn about all the amazing community work they do centred around crafts. They run therapeutic craft programmes for pregnant women and new mums, as well as a sewing circle for the vulnerable and isolated, especially people suffering from depression or anxiety and survivors of domestic and/or sexual abuse. What a great idea! Being creative is such a good way of working through your troubles and learning to be proud of yourself as you create something tangible. They also provide sewing machines for hire by the hour, a variety of craft classes for everyone including after school classes, upcycling and daytime Childrens craft workshops. Pop in and pick up a class schedule. They are open Tues - Sat. (Tues 10am - 2pm, Weds 2pm - 5pm, Thurs 2pm - 9pm, Fri 10am - 5pm, Sat 10am - 2pm)
I'll certainly be going back to the market in future and urge you to check it out too. Perfect for a Saturday pre-lunch/ post-lunch wander.
Thanks so much for this post. A couple of months ago I heard about the vacant units, and put up a thread on Ravelry hoping that some yarny people went for it. Sounds like there's a really good crafty mix.
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