I have visited my share of markets over the world and always love how people sell their home grown, handmade, and crafty goodies. It gives me inspiration, and a chance to support a local business. This year, I started visiting the Beijing Christmas markets, there’s no shortage of those. I am impressed how many makers are spending time away from home to sell us fun goodies! I’m more impressed with the mommies I found selling at these markets last Saturday; The Beijing Flea Market a Holiday affair at The Pop Up, and The Bookworm. I decided to make a little list of the creative makers that made a great impression on me and that are worth visiting the markets for. Let’s show these makers some love and appreciation for their hard work and time spend away from home and their families. This list is a inspiration for some last minute Christmas shopping for our loved ones. Please don’t hesitate to send this list to my husband so he can find me a Christmas gift!
The Green Room
I met these two lovely mothers Jess and Astra, who set up this skin serum business, together with another lovely mother, Victoria. They were tired of taking skin care products from home and started to produce skin serums themselves about one year ago. The Green Room’s products are worry free, completely organic, 100% vegan, and only tested on humans. Safe for all ages and during pregnancy.The Green Room is running a fantastic offer that lasts till the December 20. A deluxe Sampler discovery kit with 4 face serums and a voucher for a full size bottle of your choice, a perfect gift for mothers. The serums smell delicious and I can’t wait to see them again at the next market.
Available in selected stores: Pop-Up Beijing, The Orchard, Yoga Yard, London Loft, Weidian.
WeChat ID: thegreenroom
NAKED nut butters
NAKED nut butters sells almond, peanut, and cashew butters with minimal ingredients. These girls are an answer to my prayers to find some good almond butter in Beijing. Naked nut butters were founded by two health food enthusiasts Meredith and Katie this year.
They deliver in the Gulou area. Available at GLO and The Crib
WeChat: NAKEDnutbutters
The Yoganda Bag
Theresa put together a team of seven women in Uganda with skillful hands and provides them with a fulfilling occupation while creating amazing bags for yogis and mothers. This project is a self-sustaining way of lifting woman and their families out of poverty. Theresa’s bags are a must on my wish list this year.
Email: www.taozitreeyoga.com WeChat:TheresaRae
Flora and Fauna
I met Anita Boladeras and her bold jewelry, She makes these pieces with organic materials like wood, shells, leather, and fabric. I am always on the lookout for some great over the top pieces that don’t break the bank and that my child can’t break. Flora and Fauna fits that description and I can’t wait to see more of her work.
WeChat: anitaboladeras
Migrant Children’s Foundation (MCF)
MCF is a United Kingdom registered non-profit organization that aims, “to enrich the lives of disadvantaged migrant children in China through voluntary work, sponsorship vocational activities, and events.” They work with migrant children and their families to offer them access to social services they would otherwise not have because they don’t have a Beijing Hukou (residence permit). They were selling beautiful Christmas decorations made by the children and their parents. A “feel good” way of decorating your tree this year.
www.mcfchina.org
Jennie’s Oven
Jennie bakes American style pies, bars, cookies, and more. Her pecan pie was divine at the market. Many recommendations come trough WeChat, especially when people are looking for homemade pies. If you can’t find her at a market, you can order through WeChat, and she’ll bake it to order, with one or two days notice.
WeChat: jennieannchow
Summer Arts
Summer Arts sells art and washi tape. Washi tape is handmade “Happy Tape”, almost too pretty to use. The unique designs will take you on a journey through Chinese history, and is made with love by a crew of people who are passionate about Chinese culture, history, print, folk art, and design. Check out their website for more great designs.
WeChat: SUMMERARTS
www.happytape.net
Pauline van Hasselt has just started working for Beijing Kids. Born in Wassenaar, The Netherlands, she moved with her husband and her 3 year-old daughter to Beijing in June of this year. Prior she lived in the Netherlands, Belgium, Paraguay, Texas, and London, studying and working as a chef. Pauline enjoys biking around Beijing, finding markets and new restaurants, reading crime and fantasy books in bed, and most importantly, turning her house into a home for her family.