Uptown, the Christmas lights have been lit. Yes, it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas – but sadly that also means heaving crowds and chilly noses as you traipse from store to store. Of course there’s the Internet, but how much nicer to look, see, touch, taste – without forgoing any of that wonderfully warm Christmassy feeling?
The Dye House
With the vast – and growing – number of creative, talented people in the SE postcodes, Sarah Taylor and Anna Caldicott felt it made perfect sense to bring as many of them as possible together for a feast-for-the-senses Christmas market – and so Pexmas was conceived. With the vision in place, they made a beeline for Nicky Chambers and Guy Forrester, who co-own and manage The Dye House, driven by the knowledge that not only was the venue itself perfect in terms of size and location, but that Nicky and Guy are 100% open to collaborating on projects of this nature and have artistic flair and networking capabilities to make it as fabulous as, well, Christmas itself.
The Dye House is an expansive studio/ warehouse space that forms part of Nutbrook Studios in Nutbrook St, SE15 – so, since the bulk of the market will be held in this relative warmth, you can deliberate over your purchases without fear of frostbite. Added to this is the welcoming fact of there being plenty in the way of hearty festive food and drink on offer, so you’ll be able to fill your boots and nourish your tum. After all, isn’t that largely what Christmas is all about?
Pexmas promises to be a family friendly event, not only because of the space in which it is to be held (Nutbrook Studios forms an off-street enclave) but also due to the events and activities in store. Parents of young children will be able to linger over their purchases (and cider) whilst children enjoy storytelling and carols, amongst other things – and if all else fails, a wonderfully fudgy brownie from Batch Bakery should silence them! Expect to find handmade paper and cards, beautifully packaged preserves and pickles, lovingly crafted toys and, in keeping with the feel of the Dye House, itself a regenerated building that once formed part of a disused laundry, plenty of vintage and upcycled objects of beauty and desire.
With backgrounds spanning the arts, event organisation and cheffing, Anna and Sarah are perfectly placed to make Pexmas a stunning and enjoyable Christmas experience, one which will see it return to the neighbourhood year after year.
Follow @pexmas on Twitter for regular updates, put it on your Christmas shopping map for the weekend of 8/9 December and get ready to spread some Pexmas cheer!