Central Coast: New Handmade Craft Market launches this Sunday

The Handmade Craft Market is on this Sunday, 22nd August, from 10am – 2pm at Erina High School, Corner of Ernest Street and The Entrance Road, Erina.

The quarterly market is the highly awaited event to shop for all things handmade, handcrafted and homegrown and showcases talented designers and artists to provide a wide range of gorgeous handmade originals and delicious treats. With LIVE entertainment and attractions it’s a fun day out for the whole family.

For more information please visit www.handmadecraftmarket.com.au or email craftmarket@exemail.com.au
Follow us on facebook www.facebook.com/handmadecraftmarket




Tell us a little bit about your market?
The Handmade Craft Market is a new boutique market on the Central Coast for all things handmade, handcrafted and homegrown. The market is designed to help support and promote local talent and up and coming designers and artists on the Central Coast. Other gorgeous businesses from surrounding areas are also sourced to provide a diverse range of beautiful stalls for visitors. We have something for everyone including handmade soap, skincare, jewellery, homewares, sculptures and artwork, papercrafts, clothing and accessories for young ones and the young at heart. Plus we have a great range of handmade cards for Dad this father’s.

Our launch market is on Sunday 22nd August at Erina High School, Cnr Ernest Street and The Entrance Road, Erina and will be run the 3rd Sunday of November, February, May and August there after.
Entry is a gold coin donation to United Way Central Coast Community Chest who support over 85 local charities on the Coast. Kids up to 16 years are FREE.


When/why did you start your market?
Apart from being the Organiser of the Handmade Craft Market I am also the designer for children’s label rachelle rachelle. I have always wanted to attend boutique markets in surrounding areas but it is almost impossible with 2 small children under 2, (10 months and 23 months). Before starting a family I worked in the event and advertising industries for over 9 years working on some of the Australia’s biggest shows and expos and I worked for one of the largest advertising agencies in Australia. So with my background and experience and love for all things handmade I decided to launch my own local boutique market and dedicate it to all things handmade. We only accept handmade goods, no imported or mass produced products as I have tried a number of different generic markets that allow these items at their market and found the type of shoppers that attended these markets are a different shopper to those that love handmade wares. It has been a long time in the planning and a lot of late nights/early mornings but I can’t wait for our launch on Sunday 22 August to see it all come together.



What is the favourite part about running your market?
I love the excitement from all of our stallholders, it makes me even more excited, and I love meeting them and seeing their fabulous handmade creations. But most of all I love the fact that I get to share it with the rest of the Central Coast. I can’t wait to go shopping but I hope I can control myself enough not to spend more money than I make from my stall on the day.



Why do you love handmade so much?
I have been making things since I was a little girl. I grew up in the country and my mum made our costumes for book week at school and our ballroom dancing dresses for competitions, yes I did say ballroom dancing. Lol. Although it is back in vogue now isn’t it. And my Nan taught me how to knit, and knitting was part of our curriculum at school, strange but true. Growing up I tried everything, knitting, sewing, cross stitch, embroidery, jewellery making and I always loved working on some sort of art and craft project, so I guess the natural progression was to now make things for my own children and continue the tradition. I already joke that my son will be a fashion designer as he loves putting my measuring tape around his neck and has a fascination with fabrics. I love the diversity and quality that handmade brings and there is something special about knowing that it has been lovingly handmade by someone who is passionate about what they do.



Name 5 reason why your visitors should attend your market?
1. Shop at over 50 stalls and buy gorgeous handmade originals and delicious treats.
2. Kids can enjoy free face painting and have their photo taken with Ollie the Owl.
3. 100 FREE goodie bags to give away, plus lucky door PRIZE.
4. Live Performance from Dan Granero our very own local and talented blues musician.
5. Support our local designers, artists and the community with all gold coin entry donations going to United Way, Central Coast Community Chest, who support over 85 local charities on the Coast.