The 52 artisans from 15 municipalities will continue to showcase their products and crafts until Wednesday, April 15.
Each piece of craftsmanship has its own story; it is original and unique, aspects highly valued by visitors.
Tradition and creativity come together these days at the 15th Gran Canaria Spring South Craft Fair, located on the roof of the Maspalomas Lighthouse Parking Garage. Until next Wednesday, April 15, 52 artisans from 15 municipalities across the island are exhibiting not only their products and their crafting methods, but also the personal stories behind each piece.
This is the case of Clara Isabel González, creator of La Osa Artesana, whose project was born from an everyday need: “Since I couldn't find a practical backpack to carry my baby, I made it myself… and from that seed my brand was born.”
Since then, she has worked with reclaimed textiles—"often it's the customers themselves who bring me clothes, curtains, or upholstery"—to create unique backpacks. "I only make one of each item, so you know that what you're buying is something no one else will have," explains the artisan, also highlighting the warm reception from the public at her first participation in the fair. "The experience has been wonderful; people really appreciate the craftsmanship," she affirms.
The reuse of materials also defines the work of Mónica Calabria, of Las Tijeras de Mónica, who transforms discarded garments into dolls and plush toys. “I buy pajamas, sweatshirts, or blankets in good condition and turn them into toys,” she explains about her pieces, which begin with her own design, which is then materialized in a completely manual process.
Her creations, which range from elephants and dolphins to octopuses designed for newborns, attract the attention of international visitors, who are interested in both the product and its creation. “We have clients who have been seeking us out at every trade fair since 2019,” she notes.
Indeed, the international character of the audience is one of the highlights of this edition. Janas and Anika, German visitors touring the island during their vacation, discovered the fair on the recommendation of their hotel. “I like markets and supporting small businesses,” says Janas, surprised to find that it's all local crafts… “It's great, plus many of them recycle materials, I find it very interesting.”
The fair also offers the opportunity to discover unique artistic techniques, such as that of Esther Silvia Rodríguez of Soplos de Arte, who uses batik to dye textile fans. “I use hot beeswax to set the color and then remove it by ironing,” she explains. Some of her pieces, which require a minimum of four days of work, combine contemporary design with traditional Canarian elements like openwork.
Alongside innovative designs, traditional crafts like palm weaving, represented by Miguel Santana, an artisan from Valsequillo, are also practiced. “I work with Canary Island date palm and dwarf palm, cleaning the palm and preparing it according to what I want to make,” he explains. His products include brooms, baskets, and rugs, many designed for both everyday and decorative use, which are highly valued by foreigners. “Norwegian tourists buy a lot of brooms, and German tourists buy beach rugs,” he remarks.
The tour is rounded out by offerings like that of Paola Farina, a crochet artisan based in Mogán, who has found in the fair a platform to showcase her work. “I learned from my grandmother and I want to dedicate myself solely to this,” she says. Her garments—dresses, pants, and tops—stand out for the quality of the materials and their exclusivity. Paola prefers to make “a few identical pieces and I change the colors; I want them to last and withstand wear and tear.”
These artisans are just a sample of the variety of crafts—up to 20—and the quality of the handmade products produced by many of the island's professionals who are currently at the Gran Canaria Spring South Craft Fair, which will remain open until April 15, from 10:00 a.m. to 19:00 p.m. During the remaining days of the fair, visitors can also enjoy performances.
