Werkstatt (Workshop)
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)
Hometown: Oberammergau, Bavaria, Germany
Artisan Craft: Handcrafted Clothespin Figures & Folk Art
Christian Mayr is a freelance folk artist deeply rooted in the world-renowned cultural traditions of Oberammergau, Germany. For two decades, Christian has specialized in a delightfully unique craft: breathing new life into old wooden clothespins (Wäscheklammern) by transforming them into whimsical, one-of-a-kind miniature figures. His creative repertoire also includes mixed-media paper art, custom caricatures, and clever nativity scenes crafted from Christmas tree decorations.
Hailing from a village famous for both its woodcarving history and its historic Passion Plays, Christian’s life is woven into his community's heritage. He has participated in the legendary Oberammergau Passion Play since he was just two years old, taking on diverse roles over the years ranging from a merchant to an apostle.
Bringing a touch of Bavarian joy to the Market, Christian takes pride in making sure every single piece is handcrafted, distinctive, and a little bit different. Guests will easily recognize his signature style by a charming detail: to match his own joyful perspective on life, every single one of his unique figures is crafted with a smile.
Hometown: Seiffen, Saxony, Germany
Artisan Craft: Traditional Woodturning, Miniature Painting, & Erzgebirge Folk Art
The Carmel Christkindlmarkt is thrilled to welcome a talented group of young artisans representing the Holzspielzeugmacher- und Drechslerschule (BSZ1), located in Carmel’s historic Sister City of Seiffen, Germany. As the only highly specialized vocational institution in Germany offering formal, state-recognized training for wooden toy makers, this school serves as the guardian of centuries-old woodworking traditions. Hailing from the famous "Toy Village" (Spielzeugdorf) in the Ore Mountains, these students blend historic techniques with modern innovation to preserve world-famous German heritage crafts.
Visitors to the Werkstatt (Workshop) will get a front-row seat to the future of German toy making through live, daily demonstrations:
While watching these master-craftsmen-in-training bring raw wood to life, guests can browse an array of authentic Seiffen magnets, ornaments, highly limited edition menorahs, and even custom pieces like a specialized American football player smoker! Best of all, a portion of the proceeds will directly benefit our Sister City relationship with Seiffen, supporting ongoing cultural and educational exchange between our two communities. Come meet the next generation keeping the magic of the Ore Mountains alive!
Hometown: Lauscha, Thuringia, Germany
Artisan Craft: UNESCO-Recognized Glassblown Ornaments & Miniature Glass Sculpture
The Carmel Christkindlmarkt is proud to welcome back masterful glassblowers Falk Bauer and Katrin Zapf, who return to the Werkstatt from the historic German town of Lauscha in Thuringia. Globally celebrated as the birthplace of the hand-painted glass Christmas ornament, Lauscha holds a legendary status in holiday history—a tradition so vital that this style of glassblowing is officially designated as a UNESCO World Heritage trade.
Falk and Katrin first brought their extraordinary craftsmanship to Carmel in 2023, instantly captivating visitors with the glowing, hypnotic magic of their trade. Falk has earned international acclaim for his highly detailed, entomology expert-approved glass insects, capturing the fragile beauty of nature in vibrant glass.
At the Market, guests will have the rare privilege of witnessing live demonstrations as Falk and Katrin coax breathtaking detail out of molten glass. Visitors can watch raw glass transform right before their eyes into delicate hummingbirds, bumblebee mementos, and exquisite, classic Christmas tree baubles (Baumschmuck). No Christmas tree is truly complete without a piece of authentic Lauscha glass, and Falk and Katrin bring the very best of this timeless German heritage directly to Carmel.
Hometown: Oberammergau, Bavaria, Germany
Artisan Craft: Hand-Carved Jumping Jacks (Schnürlkasperl) & Traditional Woodcarving
The Carmel Christkindlmarkt is delighted to welcome Maria von Mücke, a talented young artisan from Oberammergau, Germany, a picturesque alpine village globally renowned for its centuries-old woodcarving heritage and its historic Passionsspiele (Passion Play).
Maria completed her rigorous, traditional three-year apprenticeship as a professional woodcarver in 2021. Since mastering her trade, she has brought her skills to the celebrated workshop of Markus Wagner, home of the famous "Oberammergauer Schnürlkasperl." In this role, Maria helps preserve a beloved regional tradition by crafting masterful, witty jumping jacks. These hand-carved, whimsical wooden creations truly come alive the moment delighted children and adults pull their strings.
Visitors to the Werkstatt will have the unique opportunity to see traditional woodcarving up close. Maria’s work perfectly blends fine artistic craftsmanship with a sense of playful nostalgia, making her vibrant, interactive jumping jacks the perfect authentic heirloom to bring home from the Market.
Hometown: Grünhainichen, Saxony, Germany
Artisan Craft: Handcrafted Wooden Figurines & Traditional Woodturning
The Carmel Christkindlmarkt is thrilled to welcome Karl-Gustav Hobler, a talented young artisan from the famous wood-crafting hub of Grünhainichen, Germany. Karl-Gustav represents the next generation of masters in the Ore Mountains, having completed his intensive, formal apprenticeship as a wooden toy maker (Holzspielzeugmacher) two years ago. Under his training, he mastered traditional skills like woodturning from the ground up, and has frequently demonstrated these historic techniques at major international trade shows and markets with the Association of Erzgebirge Artisans.
Today, Karl-Gustav works alongside his family in their celebrated workshop, Hobler, where they beautifully blend century-old craftsmanship with sleek, modern design. Their team specializes in small, intricate wooden figures made from premium maple and beech wood. Every single piece requires over 100 meticulous steps to create—from turning and precision cutting to delicate hand-painting. Guests can easily identify an authentic Hobler creation by their unmistakable hallmark: a tiny silver heart embedded into the figure's left foot.
Market visitors will fall in love with his highly sought-after figures, especially Fritz & Otto, a pair of incredibly charming wooden snowmen available in a vibrant array of colors. As part of a larger, expandable collection, many dedicated collectors look forward to purchasing a new snowman each year to build their holiday displays. Come meet Karl-Gustav at the Werkstatt, watch the raw wood transform, and bring home a piece of German heritage crafted with a true silver heart!
Hometown: Bad Kohlgrub, Bavaria, Germany
Artisan Craft: Fine Arts Sculpting & Master Woodcarving
The Carmel Christkindlmarkt is deeply honored to welcome back Joachim Seitfudem, an internationally recognized German fine arts sculptor from Bad Kohlgrub, Bavaria. Raised in a vibrant family of artists, Herr Seitfudem has gone on to achieve global acclaim, exhibiting his profound works in museums and galleries across major cultural hubs like London, Venice, Stockholm, and Amsterdam. His evocative sculptures—crafted from bronze, metal, and wood—explore deep themes of memory, spirituality, and the human condition.
While his foundation is rooted in traditional Bavarian craftsmanship, his unique perspective is heavily shaped by his extensive travels around the world and his rich life experiences. This global outlook allows him to breathe contemporary meaning and breathtaking emotion into traditional mediums.
During his highly anticipated visits to the Market, staff and guests alike always find themselves watching in absolute awe. At the Werkstatt, Herr Seitfudem puts on a true masterclass, demonstrating his extraordinary vision by live-transforming a plain, rustic tree stump into a stunning, museum-quality masterpiece right before your eyes. Don't miss this rare opportunity to witness an international maestro at work!
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Our Werkstatt Program is in part sponsored by Home2 Suites by Hilton Carmel Indianapolis.
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”).
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.
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”)
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.
