Dynamic, witty, and in a striking red: this is the new logo of KUNST HANDWERK DESIGN Baden-Württemberg e.V., formerly the Bund der Kunsthandwerker e.V. Every year during Advent, the association hosts its popular fair for crafts and applied art in cooperation with the Karlsruhe Regional Council. On two floors at Rondellplatz in the heart of Karlsruhe, visitors will find jewelry, textiles, ceramics, home accessories, and works in wood, paper, and metal. Lovers of extraordinary, handmade one-of-a-kind pieces are sure to find something here.
Claudia Rieger is showing her willow basketwork at the Karlsruhe fair.
The 41 exhibitors were carefully selected: a fresh, varied mix of well-known favorites and newcomers – a good quarter are taking part for the first time. Among them is basket weaver Claudia Rieger, who combines her willow creations with leather, clematis vines, or even a flamboyant set of antlers. Barbara Steinmetzer is a wood sculptor and gilder. Elaborate, multilayered water gilding lends her small wall pieces – with their symbolic engravings and framed mirrors – a special charm.
Radiant colors – and not just for the dark season. Stud earrings by Sabine Reichert.
Colorful enamel or polished acrylic (Katrin Köhler, Sabine Reichert, Regina Rieber), intricate mokume layering from Atelier Frank or by Tobias Dingler, gem cutters who occasionally make rings from recycled glass (Adam&Stoffel), technically sophisticated kinetic jewelry by Michael Berger – the jewelry makers at the fair offer remarkable variety.
Also represented in the jewelry section at the Karlsruhe Christmas Fair: Regina Rieber with this enchanting magnetic brooch.
“The most precious thing about silver is using it,” says Maike Dahl. Her silverware is made for everyday life: easy to handle, dishwasher-safe, and happy to keep company with everything else on the table. Marcel Rosello offers sharp, hand-forged knives, while Juha Lukkonnen comes from Finland with metal bowls and cutlery.
At the Karlsruhe Regional Council building, Martina Sigmund-Servetti is also presenting her graceful porcelain vessel Moon.
Ceramics and porcelain enrich our everyday lives: Martina Sigmund-Servetti enchants with incised, textured surfaces, while Karlsruhe-based Jutta Becker favors delicately colored slip patterns. From Leipzig comes Helene Scharge with understated, elegant porcelain colored throughout.
Karl-Friedrich Groß uses old books as a ground for his drawings. He paints watercolors and creates collages on the printed pages, turning them into unique artist’s books.
Dietmar Mechsner presents sculptural pieces as well as chairs and stools made of molded plywood finished with linoleum. Taking a very different approach – with soft lines inspired by the grain of the wood – Katharina and Dominik Doll, under the label “Holzkind,” create everyday objects and furniture from local woods.
Handwoven and printed cushions by Sybille Weber.
Textile home accessories come handwoven from linen, silk, and mohair, or made of sturdy industrial felt (Sirko Galz, Dagmar Hawener, Constanze Fehsenfeld). In fashion, garments are made to measure, pleated, felted, knitted, and printed.
Leather bags designed by Monika Assem or handmade by Mario Scheerer meet sewn felt bags by Fiorenza Finco. Wooden lamps (Barbara Raabe) and bookbinding (Karin Lemler and Ulrike Wiesner) round out the fair’s diverse offerings.
All exhibitors advise, explain, and sell their work in person and look forward to lively conversations. With so much on offer, you may need a break to think things over: the café area serves drinks, cakes, and savory snacks.
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Regierungspräsidium am Rondellplatz
Karl-Friedrich-Straße 17
76135 Karlsruhe, Germany - Thu–Sat 11 a.m.–7 p.m., Sun until 6 p.m.
Opening: Thursday, December 10, from 10 a.m. - Link