The market with a difference celebrates quality Scottish makers Thursday 17 to Tuesday 22 December

An Edinburgh-based ceramicist is one of a wide range of young entrepreneurial talent to have signed up to appear at Glisten! - an exciting and alternative six day Christmas market celebrating Scotland�s diverse and creative makers.

Cosima Sempill, 27, creates handmade and altered vintage ceramics at her Coburg House studio in Leith, where her business Kitty & Dude is based. A Glasgow School of Art graduate, Cosima has been based in Edinburgh for several years and is looking forward to a successful trading period at Glisten!

Glisten! will host over 40 talented makers from across Scotland selling everything from quirky arts and crafts and cool collectibles to stunning vintage clothing and jewellery.

Cosima says: �Glisten! is a real opportunity to raise awareness of Kitty & Dude and I am looking forward to introducing customers to my work. I think markets such as this are vital for makers like me and I hope it becomes an annual event.�

Cosima joins makers including:

� Godfrey Smith, the last remaining shoemaker in Scotland, who creates handmade shoes and clogs from his workshop in Galloway � Designer and author Andy Murray, who will be launching his new book �Made By� - a collection of handmade personal items for people to make themselves � Glasgow-based Emma Henderson, who produces screen printed textiles on a range of beautiful bags, accessories, and home wares � Caroline Key, who transforms vintage furniture with hand-painted designs or hand-printed fabric

Glisten! aims to bring together the local community while providing Scottish makers with the opportunity to raise their profile. Visitors to this free event will be able to browse a wide selection of the most original and interesting high-end Christmas gifts. Funky clothing and bags, eco-friendly goods, specialist vinyl and books, and delicious organic and home-grown food produce will also be on sale, with all products of the highest quality.

Housed in a marquee decorated with light projections and Christmas lanterns, the market will provide a glistening hub in the centre of the Grassmarket. The lanterns made from willow and paper will be made by local schoolchildren together with artist Kate Mackay from Alchemy Arts, who will be running free craft workshops for children throughout the event. A visiting Santa, live music and charity wrapping stalls are among some of the many other attractions.

Fawns Reid, chair of GATA, says: �Being a hat maker myself, I am very aware of the need to showcase local makers and producers and this seems like the perfect way for shoppers to see, in one place, the amazing range of quality products on offer both in the Grassmarket area and from across Scotland.

�With a theme of reworked and recycled vintage pieces, Glisten! is more than just a market, it is a celebration of Scottish talent, and a great way to bring the community together at this special time of year. Come along and soak up the atmosphere while meeting the makers and browsing for that perfect - and unique - Christmas gift.�

Glisten! takes place between 11am and 6pm from Thursday 17 � Tuesday 22 December. Special launch events, where visitors can enjoy a warming mulled drink for added sparkle, take place on Thursday 17 Dec (6pm-8pm) and on Sunday 20 Dec (4pm-6pm).

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For further media information, high resolution images and logos, please contact Samantha McKay or Fiona Vernon on 0131 6690333 or samantha@nicheworks.co.uk / fiona@nicheworks.co.uk.

Notes to Editors:

Makers

Cosima Sempill, Kitty & Dude For further information visit: www.kittyanddude.co.uk.

Godfrey Smith, Clog and Shoe For further information visit: www.clogandshoe.co.uk.

Andy Murray, Andy Murray Design For further information visit: www.andymurraydesign.com.

Emma Henderson, Showpony For further information visit: www.showpony.co.uk.

Please visit www.grassmarket.net for all the latest information on Glisten!