Few handmade markets have achieved such success in a short time as the We love cats market in Barcelona. Last year, it gathered 36 national and international artisans who attracted more than 5,000 visitors. This year has celebrated its sixth edition and, waiting for official figures, we can affirm that the balance has been positive.
One more year, the space chosen for the event was the CREC, an industrial building converted a few years ago into a coworking centre, located 10 minutes walk from the port of Barcelona. It is a quiet area, away from the hustle and bustle of downtown, in the neighbourhood of Poble Sec.
Much more than a handmade street market
The first edition of this original meeting was in 2012 and since then the figures are at increase. Today is a reference in the Catalan capital and one of the best scenarios to make known the artisanal products of our country.
One of the keys to the success of We love cats market is its social background. This project is born from the commitment of two girls, Muntsa Casas and Vanesa Carrasquilla, with two of their passions: the world of cats and crafts. From the union arises this original handmade market, which destines part of its income to the care of the abandoned cats of Barcelona. Thus, with the purchase of products from this market, it collaborates directly with entities that take care of the cats, rescue them from the street, sterilize them and give them up for adoption.
On the other hand, We love cats market defends 3 key concepts in the world of professional craftsmanship and quality: responsibility, the value of handmade products and the commitment to the local economy and local products.
The best of We love cats market
This year’s edition was attended by 36 artisans from all sectors. They offer us quality products, each with its own style and know-how.
Reyes Jerez
The illustrations of Reyes Jerez are pure energy. Halfway between the alternative and the modern, her works in full colour transmit strength and youth. In the market we could see some of his pieces in different formats and materials: paper, ceramics, wood and textiles. We loved her way of understanding craftsmanship, her sympathy and dedication to know-how.
Naume Studio
In an event like this we can find the ceramics of Naume Studio. Their small pots in the shape of a cat, deer, dog or fox are lovely. They are made with a lathe, one by one, and the final result is super cute. Can you imagine how one of these pots would look in your living room or office?
Pithy Lab
It was a pleasure to be able to say hello to Rita, from Pithy Lab. As we saw in the interview a few days ago, her handmade jewelry is an expression of great experience and know-how. The wood and metal are fused to create unique pendants and earrings, inspired by art deco and with an excellent finish and presentation.
Supercaligráfica
Another of the essential illustrators of this day was Ana Martinez, from Supercaligrafica. Her illustrations are the result of painstaking, delicate, almost magical work. She combines pencil and watercolour with great skill to create unique portraits that capture the essence of his characters. In We love cats market we could see some of her works, get to know her more closely and discover how one of the best illustrators in our country works.
Anna Mirabet
We can not finish this post without talking about Anna Mirabet. If you are one of those who value handmade binding and the value of a job well done, her work will make you fall in love. Her notebooks are sewn and decorated with great care, unique pieces of great quality. For us it was a revelation to discover this great craftswoman and some of her works. We encourage you to enter their website and learn more about their fantastic work.
Final assessment
We love cats market is an original, modern and charming market. Therefore, we love those initiatives like this boost local commerce and bet on the value of hand-made and slow-made things. If you like cats, this is an obligatory encounter, so maybe you are interested in participating or attending, you should know:
- Location: this market is usually held in the CREC, coworking space located on Blesa Street, 27 Poble Sec (Barcelona). On the ground floor of this old industrial warehouse all the participants are exposed, distributed in two U-shaped blocks. In total, it is a space of about 350m2. Personally, we find missing more rest areas (benches and chairs), as well as toilets. There are two basic elements if we want visitors to spend more time in the premises, feel more comfortable and buy more. Regarding the area, it is not central, but it is close to the main transportation hubs. In the port it is easy to find paid parking, as well as subway and bus lines. The good thing is that attending this event expressly implies a greater purchase intention, something to consider if we think about exhibiting.
- Schedule: the event took place on Saturday and Sunday, from 11 in the morning until 20-21h. Finally, we are faced with an accessible business schedule that allows artisans to prepare without having to start working excessively early.
- Volume of business: Barcelona is a great city, with all the positive and negative that this implies. More people, greater possibility of having customers, but also more offer of products and services. This year the edition of the We love cats market coincided with other craft and Christmas markets.
Possible Christmas gifts or impulse purchases were the main reason for purchase. This places the average ticket for spending per person at around € 25-30. Also, we want to emphasize that the artisans who placed the price in a clear and visible way with their products sell more. In a crowded space and with a lot of offer like this, where there is no shortage of rushing and pushing, it is something to be taken into account.
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