The Carmel Christkindlmarkt Werkstatt (workshop) is more than just a hut for demonstrations - it’s a community and a glimpse into history. Visitors meet German artists, share stories, swap tricks and tips and feel inspired by this opportunity for cultural exchange.
Some of the highly-specialized techniques that have sustained different regions in Germany for centuries are at the brink of extinction in this fast-paced world. In our Werkstatt, the artists and visitors are letting time stand still while appreciating different cultures and different ways to keep traditions alive for the next generation.
Achtung Handwerker und Handwerkerinnen! Informationen auf Deutsch über die Teilnahme an unserem Werkstattprogramm und das Bewerbungsformular gibt es hier:
(Attention artisans! Information in German about participating in our Werkstatt Program and the application can be found here)
Ringo Müller is a 4th generation woodturner from Carmel's Sister City Seiffen, Saxony. Müller's Schwibbogen and Christmas pyramids from the Erzgebirge have been a staple in German households and abroad for over a century. We are honored to welcome Herr Müller here on opening day.
This year, you can visit Ringo Müller in the Kinderecke to watch him turn Lindenholz into decorative trees.
Special Appearance: November 20, 6-9 p.m. at Wundernacht
Markus Wagner is the last remaining woodcarver at the Oberammergauer Schnürlkasperl. His witty creations and masterful artwork come alive as delighted kids and adults pull the strings of the beloved jumping jacks. Oberammergau is a small village nestled at the foot of the Alps and is famous for its Passionsspiele (“passion play”)
Falk Bauer and Katrin Zapf are joining the Market from the historic glassblowing community of Lauscha in Thuringia. No Christmas tree is complete without glass baubles and intricate Baumschmuck from Lauscha. Come try your hand at glassblowing and marvel at the delicate detail that these artists can coax out of molten glass.
Please join us in welcoming the next generation of wooden toy makers from the Holzspielzeugmacher- und Drechslerschule (BSZ1) from Carmel's Sister City Seiffen. These students will demonstrate their woodworking skills and enthrall your family with their handywork and future outlook of the industry. (Translation: Holzspielzeugmacher- und Drechslerschule = wooden toy maker and woodturner school)
Anja Werner is an instructor at the Kunsthochschule in Schneeberg - the region’s most prestigious art institute where she learned the art of woodcarving and furniture making from the old masters. Frau Werner took the old-world techniques and applied a modern twist to create her unique Holzgestalten (“wooden shapes”).
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Our Werkstatt Program is in part sponsored by Home2 Suites by Hilton Carmel Indianapolis. Click here for a discounted rate.
Joachim Seitfudem is a prominent sculptor from Bad Kohlgrub, Bavaria. We enjoyed his visits and our staff and guests alike watched in awe as he transformed a plain tree stump into a masterpiece. Even though Herr Seitfudem was raised in a family of artists, his talent to create meaningful sculptures is influenced by his life experiences and travel around the world. Thank you Jojo!
We enjoyed the cheerful company of Hans-Joachim Seitfudem and loved watching him transform tree stumps into the well-known faces of Mary, Joseph and Jesus during his visit. Herr Seitfudem is well-known across Europe, and his stunning large-scale wood sculptures, life-size nativity sets and more can be found in Germany, Italy, Switzerland and other countries. We hope to welcome him again in the future!
We are forever grateful for our friendship and partnership with Werner Reifentiere. Visitors and team members alike hold fond memories of Herr Werner creating wooden rings out of tree stumps before ceremoniously revealing the actual shapes hidden inside the rings. Many Market visitors still keep their wooden horse or buffalo or sheep on their mantle in memory of these truly magic moments. Thank you, Herr Werner, for your vision and for playing such a big role in getting the Market and the Werkstatt program off to a fantastic start.