BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Shoppers stopped to watch the orange glow from a torch while Ray Keller, wearing a bright red Santa hat, melted glass for an ornament.
Keller and his wife, Roberta, own Keller Glass Blowing, among 150 local vendors selling artisanal products at Christkindlmarkt at SteelStacks.
The holiday market — a treasure trove of special products, handmade treats and the occasional oddities — carries something for everyone.
It runs through Dec. 17 at the SteelStacks campus.
Inside various tents, shoppers can find kitchenware, jewelry, wood-carved signs and cutting boards, crystals and gems, candles, pottery, paintings, sweet and spicy jams and jellies, bath soaps and creams, winter gloves and hats, wind chimes, flavored popcorn, gourmet jarred pickles and even baked doggie treats.
There's is a cost for shoppers to enter the show, with tickets starting at $12.
Retailers also pay a fee to be sell their wares. Rental space starts at $450 per weekend (Thursday-Sunday), and some locals say they rely heavily on the profits of their sales to break even.
All in all, this season has been jolly for the vendors, financially speaking.
According to ArtsQuest, more than 13,000 people visited Christkindlmarkt over its opening weekend in November, which is a 34% increase (or over 3,000 more) than 2022.
Overall, there 58,885 people attended over the first three weeks, ArtsQuest said. That's up 14% from 2022, and so far is the highest number of attendees ever.
Preparing months in advance
The Kellers, whose vendor tent is in Christkindmarkt's outdoor village, have sold ornaments and figures at Christkindlmarkt for 28 years.
Their hand-blown icicles, clear glass rings and triangles (with hummingbirds, Christmas trees or angels in the middle) are among the best sellers, they said.
They've also rented space at West End Fair in the Poconos and the National Apple Festival in Gettysburg, but Christkindlmarkt has been the most profitable this season, they said.
"A lot of the customers that we've had over time didn't see our name on the Facebook page this year, so they wrote and asked if we were coming," Roberta Keller said.
"It's always nice to hear from them. Many send us pictures every year with the icicles as they build their trees."
"We've been very busy this year that we asked each other 'Oh my goodness, are we going to have enough for the last weekend? This year's been very good to us."Christkindlmarkt vendor Roberta Keller
Now retired, the couple, based in Reeders, Monroe County, said they welcome the extra cash they earn during the nearly month-long show.
"We've been very busy this year that we asked each other 'Oh my goodness, are we going to have enough for the last weekend?'" Roberta Keller said. "This year's been very good to us."
As with many of the vendors at Christkindlmarkt, the Kellers said they start creating the merchandise months before.
"We usually start preparing three months in advance," Roberta Keller said. "And then work ahead a little bit in January and February, but usually we're by the fireplace or spending time with our grandson during winter to rest before the [craft] shows start up again."
Local ties
Nearby in tent four, Ted Chiaparas, owner of the GEMeral Store, greeted customers with a demonstration by using a flashlight.
"We have fluorite pieces that'll change colors in the daylight and also glow under UV," he said. "It's very unique."
Chiaparas, of Center Valley, works with artist Steve Cross, an Alaskan-based creative who uses unusual materials like glacier silts and crushed deer antlers to create the fluorescent pieces.
For the Christkindlmarkt display, Chiaparas sent Cross vials of grounded metal from the old Bethlehem Steel plant, plus old picks from Martin Guitar.
The booth also carries other local gems, stones and crystals, plus sage and healing gemstone bracelets.
The stones and crystals that retail for $4 each or $20 for six are labeled with guides to show customers the therapeutic uses. For example, sodalite helps with mental performance and deepened intuition.
As a first-time vendor, Chiaparas said he is impressed by the crowds — and the sales.
"It's been amazing — it's one of our best shows of the year. What's great is that we're local. I grew up in Bethlehem. My first job was here at Heaven on a Bun, so it's pretty nostalgic just to be here as a vendor and also selling local stuff."Christkindlmarkt vendor Ted Chiaparis
"It's been amazing — it's one of our best shows of the year," he said.
"What's great is that we're local. I grew up in Bethlehem. My first job was here at Heaven on a Bun, so it's pretty nostalgic just to be here as a vendor and also selling local stuff."
Additionally, Chiaparas carries wall art inspired by the Star of Bethlehem that was created by his aunt.
"We like to tie the whole area into everything we do, with a price point for everyone," he said.
"The crystals and stones make perfect stocking stuffers. If you know people that need coal, we have that too."
A hobby that pays off
Sgt. Brian Godesky of the Warren County Sheriff's Office has turned his 25-year hobby into some part-time income.
Godesky owns Willow Grove Designs, from which he makes custom-made woodwork such as furniture, signs and flags.
Located in the tent three, it was his first time bringing his designs to Christkindlmarkt.
"I've mostly shown at smaller events in Warren County and have been preparing all year for this show," he said of his two-week appearance at the event.
"I think I've done better than what I thought it would've been. I definitely will come back next year."Christkindlmarkt vendor Sgt. Brian Godesky
On display were hand-carved pieces of large U.S. flags, along with law enforcement and U.S. military emblems — a nod to the military veterans in his family.
Depending on the piece and steps, he said it can take up to a week to create.
"I have to cut and glue the wood panels, stain it, let the stain dry, clear coat the wood and sand it," Godesky said.
He said he buys his wood from Dykes Lumberyard in Easton, so essentially his customers are supporting two local businesses.
Godesky also carries cutting and charcuterie boards, beer flight panels, bottle openers, chess tables, stove covers, rolling trays, home decor and handmade "board butter" to protect the carved pieces.
"I think I've done better than what I thought it would've been," he said. "I definitely will come back next year."
Christkindlmarkt is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursdays and Sundays; and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.
Admission prices this year are $12 on Thursday and Friday and $15 on Saturday and Sunday at the door. Those younger than 5 can enter free.
Admission is free from 5 to 8 p.m. on Fridays, courtesy of ArtsQuest.
For a full list of Christkindlmarkt vendors,click here.
