The Christmas bazaars

I always go to lots of bazaars of handmade and second hand items before the Christmas holidays and try to support local artists and charities while buying my gifts.
This way I manage to help local artists survive and charities get a bit of money when they need it most. And this way I also manage to save money as usually prices are reasonable.
The first bazaar I went to was the bazaar organized by a school I had worked at some years ago. Asylo tou paidiou organizes a very big bazaar with handmade and second hand things at their premises in the city centre every year on the 25th and 26th November. I have bought really beautiful things there.
This year I bought a tin box that I later filled with chocolates for my mother-in-law (no photo) and hubby bought those lovely semi precious stone eggs because he loves minerals as much as I do.

The second bazaar we went to was organized by the StrayDogs Thessaloniki, the charity that we adopted Barca from. We love going to their bazaar to buy food for Barca and little gifts and support them and show this way our appreciation for taking care of stray animals and Barca up till we adopted her.Sofia, Lia and all the other ladies there are really great.We always take Barca with us to meet them again. And we were very happy because this time she wasn't car sick for the first time while going there.
This year apart for food for Barca I also found second hand books in excellent prices (showing only two here)

lovely pottery boxes which I filled with chocolate for my relatives, (you can see the one I kept next to the standing snowman)

 and a cap! Do you like my model? My childhood doll!

Then we went to the bazaar organized by Koperti, a friend's school.They give the money they collect to charities so we always support them.
I bought some charms to wrap on my chocolate boxes and a handcrocheted cap!

 There were lots of things going on while they had their bazaar...Santa was there....

 ...lots of people....

 ...singing.....

and clowns.

Then my school organized their bazaar.
Some teachers and the mothers of the board of the Parents' Association gathered up and made some handmade things to sell so that the Parents' Association can gather some money to help the school.
We made lots of felt ornaments, wreaths, cards,clay ornaments and platters with candles.
I made some felt ornaments at home.

 And more things were made at school.

 That's the total of the ornaments I made.

 I loved those made by others too.

 Mothers and teachers working together.

The bazaar took place the same day we were giving out our reports so when I finished talking with the parents there were very few things left.

I managed to buy this lovely card and this clay good luck eye both made by our art teacher.

And finally I went to the Goethe Institute bazaar. They were selling lots of handmade things as well as second hand things.
I bought some books to give as gifts and to use at school.

 This one was written by one of my former students who is a librarian.What  a great surprise. I read it before giving it away as a gift!It was very good!

And I also bought this lovely Turkish bowl.

 It was great to visit those bazaars.

Making Christmas ornaments for charity.

Around this time of year Anna of in my closet organises a Christmas workshop!
Last year we had gathered in her cozy kitchen and made Christmas trees. You can see the blog post here.
This year there was the idea to make ornaments but not for ourselves but to donate them to charity. It was joyfully approved. There was a proposal to offer them to ELPIDA (=Hope) The school of people with autism.
Workshops are not an easy thing to organise. But Anna is a master on that! So first we gathered in Anna's kitchen to decide which ornaments we will be making.

 After coming up with some ideas we took the time to dress up some Christmas baubles with fabric and somehow recycle them.

 We decorated the baubles on a wooden pallette Christmas tree made by talented Vasso, Anna's sister.

Then the next day we gathered up at Koumbi Coffee and Crafts cafe. I adored their Christmas decoration!

We were about 20 people.

We divided into smaller groups and each group made one type of ornament. My group made Christmas trees. Eleanna of auts-pins, Christina of Christie's Trees and more, Evangelia of Happy Deck and myself made the trees.

The other groups made little gloves,birds, hearts,boots and more.

We enjoyed the meeting and while making crafts we sipped coffee and ate the lovely sweets that Anna's sister Vasso of Me to dahtylo sto vaso made. I had never before eaten cake pops and loved them. And so did Santa's little assistants like Sophie, my former pupil! Can you believe I taught this little girl English in a Primary School years ago? And now we are crafting together! It is so great!

All elfs and reindeer were concentrating on their job.

The next day Anna and Melina decorated the pallette wooden tree Vasso had made with all the ornaments and gave it to ELPIDA.You can see it here.(Photo taken from Elpida site)

Their bazaar was today and it is still on tomorrow Sunday so local friends why don't you visit them?

You can also read all about the workshop and see more photos in Anna's blogpost here.(Following photo taken from Anna's blogpost)

Christmas Bazaars (3)

The first Christmas bazaar I went to this year was in November. On the day of Saint Stylianos, protector saint of Children, (25th-26th November), the Children's Shelter (Asylo tou paidiou) organises a big bazaar. I used to work for their Primary School so I love going at their bazaar and supporting them. My favourite part is their very cheap vintage items but they have lots of other beautiful things, antiques, handmade and also second hand and sweets.
Here's what I got for vey few euros.
A white porcelain tureen made by Bisto (Bishop-Stonier). There is a small broken part but for 2 euros it is a doll!

 A red bells decorative heavy pottery piece, a Peru metal decorative spoon, little clear and red floating glass balls, a mini Scherzer jug,

 three Chinese saucers and an a amazing  Echt Kobalt saucer, an embroidery hoop, a series of beads,

 a tin box, a set of Babushka nesting dolls,

 The Bisto, isn't she a doll?

 The red and white vase I had bought a couple of years ago from the same bazaar!

  A spanish decorative frame with flowers.

A little porcelain rabbit.

 A pottery whistle from Peru.

 Most of the smaller items were just half a euro, and I also got these items for free.
Two wooden bases (for eggs?)

 and this U.S.S.R wooden bowl which is a bit broken.

 I loved all of my finds.