Hello! Another little bit of shameless self promotion tonight, well if I can’t do it here where can I do it?
This is a new mini print I designed, printed and decorated last weekend.
Fresh Prints by Me
Category Archives: Market Features
West End Twilight Market
I did something fun and a little bit different last Saturday night; I hosted a stall at the West End Twilight Markets. Held every Saturday evening from 4-9pm these markets promote a vision of sustain, engage and create and I think they do just that, by providing a wonderful variety of stalls and entertainment.
Held in a shed (great for wet weather emergencies) with entry points on both Wilson and Merivale Streets these markets really do achieve a great sense of community through the friendly atmosphere created by the hosts. Supported by great music, great food and great stalls the markets attracted the diverse and laid back crowd that has become synonymous with West End. Busy before and after dinner time there was a constant stream of happy people visiting the market and stopping to browse the stalls and stay awhile to enjoy the tunes and tasty food.
The market stalls are diverse and comprise a selection of vintage clothes and collectables, new fashions, handmade art and craft styling’s from local artists topped off by a fabulous array of food with a masseuse and psychic healer thrown in for good measure. I loved it, though I think my favourite part of the market was the people, everyone was so friendly; stall holders and shoppers alike that I can’t wait to return next Saturday.
So why don’t you head down to the West End Twilight Markets next Saturday, I am sure you will enjoy it!
Christmas Decorations by Me
I had so much fun this year designing some of my own Christmas decorations to give to family and friends…I was so inspired by this natural looking unbleached craft cotton and of course I love any excuse to use some of my beautiful vintage buttons!
What sort of Christmas decorations do you make?
Christmas Markets Everywhere!
As we all know Christmas is hurtling towards us like a speeding train and if like me, you have decided to try to buy more hand made presents for you and yours this holiday season, perhaps you will find this list of Christmas markets helpful…
Friday December 2nd
Bleeding Heart Markets
Ann Street, Brisbane City
Saturday December 3rd
Laidley Christmas Market
Laidley Uniting Church, Patrick St, Laidley
9am-3pm
Belle Bazaar Twilight Markets
Mt Gravatt Showgrounds
1644 Logan Rd, Mt Gravatt
3pm-8pm
Valley Laneway Markets
Winn Lane, The Valley
9am-3pm
www.valleylanewaymarkets.com.au
Sunday December 4th
C3 Church Bridgeman Downs Christmas Markets
Bridgeman Downs Church, Bridgeman Downs
9.30am-1.30pm
Up a Tree Arts Co-Op
Elmhaus Café, Mt Glorious
Young Designers Markets
Little Stanley Street, Southbank
10am-4pm
Friday December 9th
Boutique Markets “Twilight Market”
Portside Wharf, Hercules Street, Hamilton
5pm-9pm
Saturday December 10th
brisStyle Indie Designers Market
St Augustine’s Church, Racecourse Road, Hamilton
9am-4pm
Sunday December 11th
Boutique Markets “Christmas Market”
Portside Wharf, Hercules Street, Hamilton
8am-3pm
Friday December 16th
brisStyle Twilight Market
King George Square, Brisbane City
5pm-9pm
Saturday December 17th
Handmade Expo
Ipswich Turf Club, Brisbane Rd Ipswich
8am-2pm
Phew! And that’s just the Christmas markets I know about! Happy Christmas shopping to all!
Young Designers Market
I like to prepare for a morning of roaming around the Young Designers Markets by treating myself to a delicious breakfast at Denim Café, you just can’t go past a bowl of latte! Set on Little Stanley St in the centre of the Southbank restaurant precinct these markets are fabulous for sunny morning stroll.
I really love going to these markets, they are a staple in Brisbane’s Handmade Community. The really good thing about Young Designers Market is the variety of stalls; unlike some other handmade markets there is great range of original goodies waiting to be discovered. Noticeably, these markets support a growing number of fashion designers; making them a great destination for funky fashion shopping and as an added bonus you are buying directly from the designer!
I do have to warn you there isn’t for-though last time we did find some great designer t-shirts-so maybe consider making your trip to Young Designers Markets a girls day out!
Young Designers Markets are held on the first Sunday of every month rain, hail or shine, from 10am to 4pm, you can find out more info here.
Maybe I will see you there next month….
Davies Park Markets West End
It must have been at least five years since I last visited the West End Markets, and I can sum it up in three letters…WOW! These markets must have doubled in size, variety and experience since then.
We got there early and indulged in a delicious coffee and breakfast in the ‘Café Under the Tree’, not the only ‘café’ at the markets, but it was so good I will definitely head straight there for my coffee next time. Sitting under the tree, sipping my coffee, gave me plenty of people watching time and there were plenty of people to watch!
These markets are both characterful and full of characters, yes that is yours truly with the chook-man, he assures me he is a legend (I think the hat helps). My only comment on this is that his eggs were great. These markets are full of variety; I brought my groceries for the week from a stall sheltered by a magnificent Moreton Bay Fig. This is the way to buy your fruit and vege, under the shade of a beautiful tree, no more sterile supermarket isles for me. There is a plethora of handmadies present at these markets, including wonderful leather goods, original prints and paper art, a diverse array of jewellery and more in-between. I was also pleased to see so many local food producers, much of it handmade of course!
I really enjoyed my long overdue return to the West End Markets and went home with an original design t-shirt, fruit and vege, a hand printed scarf, gluten free bread…the list goes on, trust me if your looking for it you can probably find it here. But I have to say it was getting pretty busy as we were leaving. I guess this is a testament to the role these markets play in the local community and is a vote in support of the ongoing social change towards shopping local and supporting local handmade artists and producers.
So why not celebrate spring and head down to the west end markets next Saturday?
Details:
Every Saturday 6am-2pm
Davies Park
Montague Road, West End
Visit the Davies Park Market West End website here.
Cleveland Village Farmers Markets
Beautiful sunshine, bay breezes and glimpses of Moreton Bay, these variety markets are set in the enviable location of Cleveland’s Bloomfield Street. Characterised by a tree-lined street topped with colourful tents, the Cleveland Village Farmers Markets are a combination of style, variety and quality.
Young and old converge on these markets for a relaxing Sunday morning stroll in the sun, the slower pace invites you to take your time to sample the homemade preserves, admire the traditional handcrafts and jewellery and converse with the friendly stall holders. While poking around, I met a lovely local couple who make their own dips and jams, an aspiring crafter who has just begun to create beautiful owl softies and sweet colourful jewellery and a very talented seamstress who lovingly crafts a range of vibrant girls clothes and accessories. I was overwhelmed by how friendly everyone was and how happy stall holders were to share their story; everyone was genuinely trying to provide a happy welcoming atmosphere.
Flanked by an array of great cafes, these markets make a great Sunday morning destination for families, couples, treasure hunters, fresh produce seekers and all in between. Hosting over 100 stalls you will be sure to find what you are looking for or maybe even something completely unexpected instead! Don’t forget to take advantage of the kids and adults activities, including a jumping castle (for the kids) and live entertainment. I for one, really enjoyed getting reacquainted with the Cleveland Village Farmers Markets, it was especially refreshing to see so many local producers, crafters and artists all in one spot.
Relaunched on the 11th of July 2010 the markets take place every Sunday between 7am and 1pm. If you are interested in hosting a stall you can find more information here; info@brisbanefarmersmarkets.com.au
So next Sunday morning grab the kids, your partner, your Nana or who ever it is you chose to wake up early on a Sunday and head down to Bloomfield St, Cleveland!
brisStyle Indie Designers Markets
Relaxing on the grass, soaking up the sun, enjoying scones and cream, sipping hot chocolate, enjoying the band and gearing myself up for some serious handmade treasure hunting… where else could I be? BrisStyle Indie Designers markets of course!
I always feel like I am embarking upon a great expedition into the creative unknown when I leave home with the brisStyle Indie Designers markets as my destination. Set in the beautiful grounds of St Augustine’s church on Racecourse Road, Hamilton, these markets are run twice yearly, incorporating the super creative Indie Designers Christmas market.
BrisStyle, a not for profit incorporated association representing over 150 Brisbane handmadies and artists has played an important role in the growth and promotion of Brisbane’s burgeoning handmade scene. Stallholders at these markets are made up entirely of the very talented brisStyle members. With this in mind the talented folk at brisStyle always manage to put on a knockout array of stalls with a focus on handmade quality and variety.
The markets, situated in the garden behind the church and the adjoining church hall, can supply just about any form of handmade delight your heart desires, from original and unique jewellery to cute baby singlets to handmade incense sticks. These beautiful markets really do have something for everyone and I always seem to leave with something I never expected to buy, but of course have fallen instantly in love with!
These markets are totally everyone friendly, families, kids, prams and even dogs (well at least in the garden). With plenty of room to spread out and enjoy the church garden there are always lots of browsing market goers and kids happily running around, creating a real sense of community, something that I believe plays an important part of what handmade means.
If you love hunting down the latest trends, general handmade goodness and supporting Indie business then you have to make it your mission to get to the next brisStyle Indie Designers market. Which incidentally, is fast approaching, will be held on Saturday December 10th from 9am-4pm, I hope I see you there!
You can find out more about brisStyle here.
Chandler Markets
These markets are practically an institution in my family; we have been coming to here in some form or another since I was a wee tacker and even now I often meet my brother and his family here for a catch up.
Week in week out, I love to wake up early to drive out to the Chandler Markets. There is always something new to see here, I always manage to think up some new excuse to justify waking up Mr Magpie or coercing one of my market mates to brave the early Sunday morning wake up call, to enjoy a bit of marketing and perhaps, even more importantly, a coffee and bacon and egg roll in the sun.
Nestled in the sprawling Sleeman Sports Complex, on Old Cleveland Rd, Chandler, and surrounded by lovely bush parkland the Chandler Markets can get seriously busy, in the all the years these markets have been operating they have grown from strength to strength and often host over 300 stalls.
These markets have something for everyone with stalls selling new clothes, pre loved clothes, plants and flowers, beautiful fruit and vegetables, jewellery, books, furniture and everything else in between. Some of my favourite stalls include a bookseller, a vintage jewellery stall and a characterful older couple who sell an eclectic array of vintage treasures. The vast variety of stalls means you can come time and again and always find something new, and as some regular stall holders only attend every second week, you have a perfect excuse to go back the following weekend!
I am very pleased to report that I have noticed an emergence of handmade creative types frequenting the Chandler Markets. When I was there last weekend I met a lovely lady selling funky handmade cushion covers, a gentleman selling beautiful copper art that he makes in his travelling studio attached to the back of his caravan and another talented chap selling his beautiful handmade jewellery. I am very excited to see if this handmade trend continues, in my humble opinion this tide of change can only improve the markets.
These markets are everyone friendly, young, old, families and even dogs are welcome (provided they are being carried or in a carrier), however the growing popularity of the markets can mean they do get crowded at times and patience is sometimes called for when hunting for a park.
This minor problem aside, I can’t recommend a trip to the Chandler Markets any more warmly, if you haven’t been already, its high time you set your Sunday morning alarm for some marketing Chandler style!
If you are interested in finding out more information about the regular stall holders or if you are interested in hosting a stall you can visit the Chandler Market website here.
Where: Sleeman Sports Centre, Old Cleveland Road, Chandler
When: every Sunday 6am-1pm
