Not your typical Prague market

Craft and flea markets often breed ennui - the feeling that once you've seen one, you've seen them all.

In a mission to take that stereotype head on, a group of French and Czech craft artists have teamed up to present the Bienvenue market, premiering May 14 at Maltézské nám. 14, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., under the arches of the Jan Deyl music school. The market will feature unique crafts of all shapes and sizes.

"Unfortunately, there are not many opportunities to show off arts and crafts - no markets or trade fairs - which is really a shame because there's a rich arts-and-crafts tradition in the Czech Republic," said Marion Lieutet, a jewelry maker and one of the market's organizers. "Some people might say, 'No, there are markets during Easter and Christmas,' but for us that is not a market at all; it's mostly things made in China, which is really a shame."

The craft market will feature about a dozen different stands with handmade goods to decorate homes and gardens as well as wardrobes. For example, company La Coccinelle Bleue will have creations made of festive-colored cloth including bags, organizers and children's and women's clothing; Noémie Choupis will offer unique temporary tattoo art; sculptor Lukáš Řezníček will have his stone designs for sale; and the company NAO will vend handmade bags, home decorations, jewelry and cloth books for children. Prices for products at the market will range from as low as 200 Kč ($12) for some jewelry and small items to around 2,000 Kč for larger glass pieces and sculptures and more ornate jewelry.

"It will be traditional and creative at the same time," Lieutet said. "We want to attract tourists, but it will also be interesting for Czech people, because we believe there's an increasing demand for authentic and traditional things, as you can see in how farmers' markets are expanding - there are more and more people who really enjoy them."

For those curious to see what goes into the handmade productions, artists will be giving demonstrations of how items progress from the stage of raw materials to finished products.

Entertainment will be provided by a magician and hourly performances by musicians from the Jan Deyl school, which teaches music to visually impaired children. Fresh biscuits and other refreshments will be available.

The idea for the craft fair began with three French artists who bonded on the inspiration they found in Prague for their crafts.

"I was inspired by Prague and its Art Nouveau style, because during that period the city was known for revolutionizing glasswork," said Frédéric Schendel, a festival organizer and glassworker.

Schendel, who began working with glass about 11 years ago, moved to Prague in 2003 and worked for six years in the restoration of old churches, towers and buildings around the city. Two years ago, he started his own glass workshop, where he makes his own creations and teaches lessons about glasswork.

Also taken by Prague's rich architectural heritage, Lieutet began creating jewelry using metal motifs of Art Nouveau designs with her own accents two years ago.

"I gild them and add some elements like beads or strasses," she said. "I really like the harmony of Art Deco and the Art Nouveau period."

The trio hopes to make the market a monthly event and will have a guest book at their first event where artists interested in joining the market can sign up.

"We hope to add more people and expand it in the future," Lieutet said. "We hope that it also may encourage other initiatives like it."

Cat Contiguglia can be reached at
ccontiguglia@praguepost.com