About Us
The Force Behind Marketianguis: The Founder
Marketianguis was born from the passion of its founder, Marisol Carvajal, for art, culture, and travel. Inspired by her life experiences and her desire to promote cultural diversity, Marisol founded Marketianguis as a place to celebrate authentic craftsmanship from around the world.
From its humble beginnings to its establishment in London, Marketianguis has been a journey of determination, courage, and the desire to share the beauty of handmade art with the world.
Allow me to share with you how I got here and how my love for craftsmanship and cultural diversity became the essence of Marketianguis.
Marketianguis was born from my deep love for travel and a profound admiration for the diverse cultures and traditions of the world. In the summer of 2021, I found an opportunity to showcase some Frida Kahlo-inspired felt dolls, along with beautifully embroidered bags and accessories crafted by my mother's skilful and creative hands, as well as stunning watercolours painted by the Spanish artist Charo del Cura, participating in the Beckenham Place Park Flower Show.
To enhance our craft offerings for the Flower Show, I advertised on Facebook, hoping to find more Mexicans to join me. Nuria Mercado soon joined the project, contributing her amazing Crochet Art. A few days later, Marusa Licea became part of the team, bringing exquisite Mexican Silver Plate Jewellery made with semi-precious stones. These collaborations marked the beginning of a beautiful journey and friendship.
This warm reception motivated me to pursue my idea further, embarking on a quest to discover beautiful and authentic handicrafts. My goal was to enrich London's markets and festivals with diverse cultural expressions, connecting people through a shared appreciation for craftsmanship and heritage. From Mexico's Lele Dolls, Alebrijes, and Day of the Dead Calaveras to Guatemala's Worry Dolls, Indonesia's Ikats and Sockets, and baskets from Africa, each piece tells a story of heritage and tradition, weaving threads of global culture into a tapestry of beauty and uniqueness.
What began as a simple craft exhibition at a festival quickly evolved into the exciting project known as Marketianguis. This journey has led me to participate in many festivals, including the Mexican Independence Day Festival on September 15th, organized by Paola Feregrino from Mexibrits. This event allowed me to become part of the vibrant community of Mexican entrepreneurs. Since then, I have successfully taken part in other markets such as the World Food Festival, East Finchley Festival, Mexican Day of the Dead Festival, Mexican Christmas Market, Horniman Museum Market, Little Venice, etc.
Now, I am exploring new market opportunities to showcase our art. Join me in discovering new treasures. Let Marketianguis transport you to distant lands through colourful and vibrant crafts selected just for you. Together, let's celebrate and promote the creativity and originality of unique crafts from around the world, recognizing the effort and talent of the artisans who create them.
Explore Our Handcrafted Treasures>>
Why Marketianguis?
The name "Marketianguis" derives from the fusion of two special words that represent the essence of my store:
Market: This word comes from English and refers to a physical or virtual space where all kinds of products are marketed and promoted.
Tianguis: This Mexican word, originating from Nahuatl "Tianquiz(tli)", means market. These markets are magical, lively places where artisans and farmers gather to offer their crafts, food, and a wide variety of products to the local community.
When you combine "Market" with "Tianguis," you get "Marketianguis," a name that conveys the idea of a global market full of unique treasures and handmade items with love from all around the world. I hope you like the story behind the name of my store!
Explore the diversity and beauty of our carefully selected handicrafts from around the world. Each piece tells a unique story and connects you with different cultures.