Looking Back | A TOAST Festive Market

Last weekend, we held A TOAST Festive Market at a new location in Kachette, Shoreditch. The historic venue – a former railway ticket hall – provided a characterful backdrop for a diverse medley of stalls, creative workshops, and the Jolene pop-up cafe.

Over the three days, we welcomed almost 6,000 members of our community to the market. Visitors meandered through the hall, handling handcrafted wares, selecting gifts for loved ones, and joining in with the lively programme of events.

A window-height artwork signposted the space, featuring colourful vessels illustrated by former TOAST New Maker, Kate Semple. Through the metal-framed doors, the comforting aroma of mulled wine and homemade mince pies drifted over the festive scene, while an expressive entanglement of hops, alder, and mistletoe scaled the exposed red-brick walls, created by Worm Flower Studio. Verdant fir trees, strewn with warm string lights and TOAST lokta paper decorations, stood tall as the room hummed with conversation.

We invited a wide range of independent craftspeople to showcase their goods: Francli Craftwear with fine leather accessories, Helena Cairns with wheel-thrown ceramics, and Dilli House with small-batch natural perfumes, to name a few. Despite its variety, the selection was anchored by a shared commitment to quality and thoughtful design.

The stall holders included past TOAST New Makers, including Corrie Williamson and Hiroko Aono-Billson, alongside members of the current cohort, Lindey Tydeman, Lærke Møller Hansen, and Elise McLauchlan. 

Tomoko Kakita’s furoshiki gift wrapping demonstrations offered a tactile respite from the bustling warren of stalls, as well as inspiration for presenting gifts bought at the market. Aromatherapist Abi Titterington Lough led a natural scent workshop, while those eager to craft attended a festive card making session with printmaker Emma Bond. Participants left equipped to send out personalised well-wishes in time for the holidays. 

Live musical performances served as immersive interludes throughout the three-day event. On Saturday evening, choral ensemble WOOM warmed the space with wistful harmonies; the trio’s interwoven voices echoed against the high, arched ceiling. Later, singer-songwriter Hannah Willwood performed with accompaniment from violinist Jed Bevington and electric guitarist Theo Lear.

As the weekend wound down, we reflected on the atmosphere of creativity and the support for local and global craft within this corner of London. Many visitors took home a TOAST canvas shopping bag, also designed by Kate Semple and made from 100% organic cotton. 

All proceeds from these bags were donated to Crafts Council UK, and will continue to be available at our shops until they sell out. As the national charity for craft, this vital organisation works to inspire making, empower learning, and nurture craft businesses – like those who made the market a truly memorable experience. 

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us at A TOAST Festive Market – from our talented craftspeople, to our wonderful community, and our friends at Jolene. We wish you all a very merry Christmas.

Photography by Safia Shakarchi.