UBC October 2026 - Koffermarkt

As mentioned yesterday, by chance I discovered a once a year highlight: 

Ever heard of a Koffermarkt? It's a rather charming take on a craft fair where local artisans sell their handmade goods straight out of vintage suitcases (Koffer means suitcase in German). Think of a cozy, highly curated Etsy shop come to life — except everything is packed into retro luggage.

I stumbled across one of these annual markets while visiting Olten, Switzerland, originally on a mission to find their pumpkin market, and it was being held right inside the town's historic covered wooden bridge.

Talk about atmosphere!

It was incredibly charming, intimate and perfectly sheltered from the weather, although the small windows let in surprisingly little light, making the whole thing feel a little moody and mysterious.

The bridge was lined with vendors offering gorgeous jewellery, intricate knitwear, handmade decorations and all sorts of other beautifully crafted things.

I have to admit, though: I am not exactly the target audience.

I absolutely appreciate the love, time and care that goes into these pieces. But I rarely buy handmade decorative items, I don't wear this kind of jewellery, and many of the things I saw would fall firmly into the category we call Staubfänger in German - literally “dust catchers.” 

But then I came across one particular booth that completely stole my heart:

They upcycled old ceramic teapots and matching teacups into the most whimsical little birdhouses and feeders. And those I could get excited about.

It was such a clever idea: taking something that had already had a life, giving it a completely new purpose, and turning mismatched old crockery into something useful and wonderfully quirky.

And perhaps that's what I enjoyed most about the Koffermarkt. I may not be the person who buys the knitted shawl or the handmade necklace, but I can absolutely appreciate what happens when people take an ordinary object, add a lot of imagination and skill, and turn it into something completely unexpected.

Are you a craft-market person? Or, like me, more of an appreciative-but-I'll-just-look kind of person?