Canberra Christmas Market

Tell us a little bit about the market?
Looking to experience a market which is full of original handcrafted designs that are stylish, unique and exceptional quality?

Handmade - Canberra's quarterly Upmarket brings together talented artists, designers, stylists, craftspeople and gourmets all at one destination. It is a unique event to connect the makers of beautiful things to people who appreciate the quality, handcrafted and locally designed. Handmade is located at the gorgeous historically listed Yarralumla Woolshed, at Yarralumla Canberra. At the moment it is an quarterly event but due to crazy but fabulous attendance numbers we will be thinking of holding Handmade a little more frequently next year! (ohhh and this is the first time I have posted that anywhere, so that is a scoop) Check the website for more details once Handmade Christmas is over.


When/why did you start your market?
Handmade started on Nov 2009, so this would make our first Birthday coming up, yeah! I started Handmade to compliment and contribute to the fantastic designer/creative scene in Canberra. Canberra has so many creative courses, you can learn anything here but then there is very limited space to then sell your goods or try them in the marketplace. Handmade can offer designers the chance to connect with the public about their product and build their small business into something more.


What is the favourite part about running the market?
Finding the most amazing application on my computer from someone who would love to be part of Handmade. Then there are the lovely stories I hear from stallholders about how well they did at Handmade, how they are growing their products and brands. Oh also the fabulous customers who come along and make it all happen!

Why do you love handmade so much?
Handmade as a product has really become the new black! making your own designs and being creative is so satisfying on so many levels, buying and supporting handmade makes the world go round.
On another level It gives me the chance to part of so many different peoples lives. Designers, students, customers, ACT Tourism, Motor neurone Disease NSW, who we fundraise for. It also allows me to be home with the kids and family and work full time.































Name 5 reason why your visitors should attend the market?
Only 5! .......
1. To find fabulous, can't buy anywhere else goods
2. To support local and National designers
3. Support people suffering from MND and their families
4. Find out why the new black is handmade.....
5. Because Canberra Rocks!

Christmas Market 2009

Friday 20 November 5-9 Twilight Market
Saturday 21 November 10-4pm

visit www.handmademarket.com.au for more info

Shining Stars

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Visit madeit.com.au for more handmade Christmas gift ideas

Once Upon The Exhibition

Tell us a little bit about your event?
Once Upon is a celebration of Leeloo’s 2nd birthday and our ongoing support for Australian artists. It will feature the artwork from 38 artists from all over the country, where each artist has been given their own fairytale to interpret as a basis of their work.



Why did you start the event?
After attending Renee’s exhibition in July (Art4Friends) where there was poor attendance, I felt that between us we could come up with something that was done the way we’d like it. We put our heads together and the pairing proved successful, and our collaborative process organically grew from there.



What is the favourite part about running the event?
Initially reviewing the work from the artists’ submissions, now as the completed works trickle in, seeing them in their glory!



Why do you love handmade so much?
It has heart. Since being so heavily entrenched in the handmade industry I find it really difficult to find things that I even like in chain stores and department stores. I take one look at labels in stores, and when I find it’s not made in Australia, as is often the case, I consider how high the profit margin must be and how many of these items are in the world and I actually have quite an irksome visceral reaction.



Name 5 reasons why visitors should attend the event?
To support the floundering Sydney art scene
To help us in our efforts to change the “art crowd only” rules
To see extraordinary, beautiful (and affordable) artworks by talented young Australians
To experience the lovely atmosphere on opening night of friendship, support and community
To check out the Leeloo pop-up store (Fri to Sun only) and see some of our online goodies in person (and maybe grab some Christmas pressies!)

Visit the once-upon.com.au for more information on the exhibition, plus a list of artist.

Opening night - Thursday November 19^th 2009 at aMBUSH gallery from 6pm to 9pm,

Exhibition open daily from 10am to 5pm through to Sunday 22^nd November.

Tea & Cupcakes

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Visit madeit.com.au for more handmade Christmas gift ideas

Animal Instincts

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Visit madeit.com.au for more handmade Christmas gift ideas

Green with Envy

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Visit madeit.com.au for more handmade Christmas gift ideas

this weekend you should....

PERTH
'made on the left' market
Sat 14th and Sun 15th of November at the Hyde Park Hotel,
331 Bulwer St, West Perth.
Opening hours are from 10am - 4pm.
www.madeontheleft.com

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MELBOURNE















Twilight Market Craft market at Flemington Racecourse
Saturday November 14th from 3pm to 8pm
www.craftmarkets.com.au




Maribyrnong Makers Market (all handmade market)
Saturday November 14th from 10am to 3pm
www.maribyrnongmakersmarket.com.au



Thread Den Market
Sunday November 15, 10am-2pm
The Melbourne Lithuanian Club
44 Errol St, North Melbourne
www.threadden.com


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SYDNEY


Last days to check out Sculpture by the Sea
sculpturebythesea.com

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Baby & Children > Accessories > hair clip

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Visit madeit.com.au for more handmade Christmas gift ideas

Craft & Handmade Supplies

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Visit madeit.com.au for more handmade Christmas gift ideas

market shopping on the left hand side

Tell us a little bit about the market?
Made on the Left is a ‘special occasion’ market which is held two to three times a year. There have been four big markets– three in Perth and one in Bunbury, about three hours south of Perth – since we started up in July 2008. We’ve also had a few guest appearances at other events, such as a mini-market at Darlington Arts Festival last weekend. One of the major points of difference for our market is that it has been held in pubs, with our main Perth haunt to date being the Hyde Park Hotel in West Perth. Holding ‘craft’ markets in a non-traditional venue like a pub seems to be one of the secrets to our success!



















When/why did you start the market?

The initial idea sprouted from a group of Perth designers and artists who got together to discuss the lack of opportunities to sell (and buy) handmade or independently designed items Perth. There was an obvious gap in the market and the obvious solution seemed to be to create our own opportunity... and so in July 2008, Made on the Left was born!

Our key focus is on supporting and promoting Western Australian design and creative talent by giving local designers and artisans an avenue to offer their products directly to the public in a very low risk environment. The markets also introduce Perth locals to new finds not readily available on the mass market as well as allowing shoppers to meet and talk to the products creators.



















What is the favourite part about running the market?
We all love seeing many of the artists and designers who have participated in our events go from being terrified newcomers to the market scene to evolving into confident small business-people on the back of a great market experience. We’ve seen a lot of our returning stallholders evolve over time, developing their stock, display and branding and really putting their own stamp on their stalls. Some people change their types of businesses completely based on the response from buyers; others manage to find a firm foothold in their chosen field.

It’s also fantastic seeing people coming through the doors on the day and getting so much positive feedback from the public that they are so excited that a scene like this is finally happening locally. There is a real sense of pride in local design coming from both angles, which was definitely missing previously.

We all enjoy our own tasks within running the market too. Rebecca gets a big thrill from receiving all the applications and being first to know who is a applying, Ali J gets a sneak peek at our guest artists’ poster artwork each time, while Dara gets high on the adrenalin of organising the stalls on the day – event management guru that she is. The two Sarah’s and Lauren get a buzz whenever we score publicity that tells more people about what we do.



Why do you love handmade so much?

What’s not to love? The great thing about handmade is that creative people can try out new ideas almost instantaneously, rather than worry about economies of scale like a mass producer would. It’s brilliant to see the incredible range of new ideas we get exposed to now that we feature over 60 stallholders at each market. It’s local and personal, rather than global and impersonal, and you can really see different personalities expressed in what people produce. Handmade items seem to have a lot more ‘life’ to them, maybe it’s something to do with the thought and effort put into creating each item? Also, by buying handmade we’re supporting home-grown talent – it’s great to have a solid excuse for shopping!





















Name 5 reasons why your visitors should attend your market?

1. It’s time to make a start on that Christmas shopping and there will be many brilliant and unique gift choices under one roof.


2. This is becoming THE place to find very cool accessories and fashion that will make them look hot this summer J


3. Buying direct from the seller represents excellent value for money so dollarinis stretch further. pay for something mass produced offshore.


4. All of our stallholders offer WA-designed and made products, so shopping is supporting local small business people.

And possibly the most important reason for some of our visitors....

5. They can enjoy a frosty cold beverage from the bar as they shop...now you can’t say that of every market!

November Made on The Left @ Hyde Park Hotel
14th and 15th of November at the Hyde Park Hotel, 331 Bulwer St, West Perth. Opening hours are from 10am - 4pm. There will be up to 40 different stallholders EACH DAY!
Visit www.madeontheleft.com for more information.

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Below are a few of the madeit sellers who will be selling at the market




















osier view store




















cocoapod view store




















nonworkers view store




















littlemoandfriends view store
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Black Beauty

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Visit madeit.com.au for more handmade Christmas gift ideas

Bags & Purses > Coin purse

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Visit madeit.com.au for more handmade Christmas gift ideas

Accessories > Button/Badge

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Visit madeit.com.au for more handmade Christmas gift ideas

Orange Crush

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Visit madeit.com.au for more handmade Christmas gift ideas

Brisbane's unique shopping experience is here!

Tell us a little bit about the Boutique Markets?
The Boutique Markets offers savvy shoppers a unique shopping experience by combining boutique shopping in a market atmosphere. The Boutique Markets located at the exclusive riverfront shopping and dining precinct of Portside Wharf in Hamilton, Brisbane, is held on the second Sunday of every month from 8am to 1pm. (Breaking news….revised hours for 2010…9am to 3pm!!)

Since its inception in 2007 the market has grown in profile and size to become a hub of local creative talent and hosts the work of more than 60 South East QLD -based stallholders including artists, designers, stylists, crafters and artisans. The market aims to promote and cultivate emerging local talent by offering a forum to promote and sell their work to the public.










When/why did you start Boutique Markets?
Boutique markets started in June 2009 but have been a work in progress for several years. The original inspiration came from Rachael and Leasl as artisans themselves and their respect for that fact that a handmade item takes time and great effort from concept to evolution.

Our research identified that many retailers felt devalued at markets by the abundance of cheaper, imported products and often couldn’t compete in price. Many customers were searching for good quality handmade items but were sick of sifting through everything else just to find them. Our market grew from the concept that if we could provide a platform and avenue for our designers to showcase their products alongside other handmade designers, that together we could nurture their business and broaden their ability to flourish within the marketplace. Our customers have embraced this, and love the opportunity to chat with the designer.

That initial dream has since developed into what is now Boutique Markets, and with Kerry joining the team, has now become more than just a marketplace, but a business and partner to our retailers as small businesses themselves. We provide additional support through our additional services introduced to provide the support and skills to grow each retailer to realise and achieve or just support their own business dreams.

We believe we have found our niche as business owners and for the Boutique Markets and are travelling on a path that is leading us to bigger and better opportunities.












What is the favourite part about running the market?
We love being there on market day…for us all of our hard work is done prior to market day itself (except for setup) and we get to chat with the retailers and customers and be there to support them in any way needed. We have contemplated whether we would not be there and it is not an option for us…we could not imagine being at home and wondering what was happening at “our” market place!

We have the opportunity to witness the huge range of talented people and how amazingly creative our local crafters truly are and get to see them evolve and prosper at various levels of their business. We love to see that look on a retailers face when someone buys one of their products. Almost a look of shock, of glee, of sheer happiness for the hours they spent in the middle of the night creating it! It makes it all worth it!












Why do you love handmade so much?
Handmade for us used to mean grandma’s knitted jumpers or crochet doilies. Handmade today is the gorgeous combination of contemporary design and old age tradition. It takes you back to grass roots. An individual starts with a dream or idea. They then take a risk and take the scary step of designing and creating a product. And then put themselves out there for all to see. It takes courage and strength to go through the process and at the marketplace we and the customers get to see, meet and talk with the designer that made the journey. It has a personal touch and is made with a developed creative process that takes time and precision, and we have a huge respect for that process.












Name 5 reasons why your visitors should attend your market?
Comprehensive range unique designers, crafters and artisans
Quality products and fantastic range ….the dilemma is not when to spend but when to stop!
Total experience – market shopping, retail shopping, dining, entertainment and atmosphere.
Centrally located and easily accessible from everywhere in Brisbane with free and ample parking
The biggest range of handmade products in Brisbane, (and the best range of Xmas gift ideas!)

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The Boutique Markets is held every second Sunday. For more information visit www.boutiquemarkets.com.au