Camden Market

While researching all of the London markets, the Camden Market caught my eye because of its emphasis on arts and crafts and handmade goods.  On Friday, July 3^rd, I went to explore all that the market had to offer. 

Upon arriving at the Camden Town tube station, I immediately noticed how different it was from the Kensington area I am used to.  The walk to the market from the tube was filled with edgy shops, several tattoo and piercing studios, and a few very interesting street performers.  Of the performers, my favorite was a group of tweens, all with brightly colored Mohawks holding a sign saying, “Picture with punks, £2”.  Sadly, I opted out of the opportunity. 

After an exciting walk, I arrived at the market to find a two-story building filled with more vendors than I could count.  The vendors were arranged to create alleys that I walked up and down for nearly two hours.  The market had everything from hand carved stone necklaces, to clocks made from old records.  I stopped at most every table to gaze at the crafts and (of course) make conversation with the vendors. 

I spoke with two vendors that particularly intrigued me.  The first was a man who was selling jewelry made out of polymer clay.  He and his wife created each piece and he was able to explain how they did it.  I was particularly amazed by the jewelry because I used to play with polymer clay as a child, so I could fully recognize their talent.  I purchased an adorable bracelet with orange flowers on it for £11.  The other vendor shared a similar story in that the man’s wife made all of the jewelry he was selling at the market.  Her jewelry was unlike anything I had ever seen before.  I am not exactly sure how she made it, but it looked as if she crocheted very thin yarn to create flowers.  I was so interested in her work because of my interest in textiles.  I loved seeing ordinary supplies, like yarn, being used in a more innovative way.

The Camden Market was such a fun experience for me because I got to see how textiles are used in London.  In addition to a new bracelet, I was introduced to a new way of turning simple yarn into unbelievable jewelry.  The market will inspire me to think outside of the box when working with textiles in the upcoming semester.  I will definitely be visiting the market again before my time in London is over. ~Lindsay