La Laguna Craft Fair Transforms Streets into Open-Air Art Gallery
La Laguna's 12th annual Craft Fair transformed the city into an open-air art gallery, showcasing the skills and passion of nearly 40 local artisans dedicated to preserving traditional crafts.
The streets of La Laguna were transformed into an open-air art gallery on Sunday, October 19th, thanks to the talent of local artisans. The 12th annual La Laguna Craft Fair, which ran from Friday the 17th to Sunday afternoon, brought together a diverse group of creators.
These artisans weren't just selling their handmade goods around Plaza de la Concepción; they were also sharing their skills and passion. They aimed to show visitors that their crafts – from jewelry and pens to mortars, puppets, and candles – require far more time and effort than people might think.
As visitors strolled through the streets, the phrase "Oh, the craft fair!" could be heard as they approached Plaza de la Concepción. By midday, the square was buzzing with curious shoppers eager to find a unique treasure.
The fair showcased a wide range of crafts, including printing, engraving, doll making, enamel work, leather goods, fabric decoration, jewelry, traditional costumes, ceramics, glasswork, and pottery. For the artisans, this event has become a must-attend, guaranteeing sales thanks to the large crowds of locals and tourists.
Jessica Luis, the designer behind the jewelry brand Hypatia, creates silver pieces with enamels and stones, incorporating astronomical and mathematical themes. Since starting her business in 2021, she has consistently participated in these fairs. "It's a great sales opportunity that helps us diversify and promote our brand," she explained, adding that she always brings exclusive designs to each event, while maintaining her usual prices. This year, visitors were treated to unique earrings.
José Luis Santos of Artesanía Raíces del Teide specializes in decorative objects made from turned roots. "Many roots grow downwards, but I turn them around to create my pieces," he said. "I give life to what was dead." His stand also featured mortars, sugar bowls, cheese boards, cutting boards, and pens.
Pablo Maderuelo, with his brand Maderita Artesanías, traveled from Los Silos to showcase his woodcraft. He creates organic jewelry and accessories using natural woods, avoiding dyes. He uses high-quality woods similar to those used by luthiers for musical instruments, sourcing his materials from them. While earrings are his best-selling items, he noted that pens and bracelets tend to attract the most attention.
Patricia Delgado, who specializes in printing and engraving, creates jewelry, prints, and small decorative pieces. In addition to selling her work and demonstrating her process at her stand, she also led a workshop at the fair. She aimed to educate the public about "what goes into our work." She explained that while it's not a traditional trade, the rise of photography has pushed printing and engraving into the artistic realm, so she is dedicated to showing people what the craft involves.
Marina Valls of Señora Valls Ceramics also shared her craft, surprising many with the revelation that it can take up to a month and a half to create a single plate. Similarly, Esperanza Núñez of La Machanga jewelry emphasized the long hours of dedication required for her work.
The La Laguna Craft Fair offered a glimpse into the workshops of nearly 40 local creators, all dedicated to keeping traditional crafts alive.