Interstaters Travel Far and Wide To Sell To Canberrans at Handmade Markets

Canberra’s quarterly artisan markets, Handmade, attracted small businesses from all around Australia on the weekend of March 18-19 to sell to Canberrans.

Handmade pops up at Exhibition Park in Lyneham every three months, showcasing the best in hand crafted fashion, toys, homewares, art and food from up to 250 local and interstate designers and producers.

Why? With up to 30,000 in attendees from the ACT and surrounding areas, purveyors see Canberra as a leading niche for market-style shopping.

Handmade stall holder, Helen Walker, who makes toys under her business, Miss Ruby May, travelled from Melbourne because she values the support Canberrans give to the market.

“I’ve tried a few markets in Melbourne too and some smaller ones as well, but here everyone comes out and makes a day of it and it’s got a great vibe – it’s fantastic,” said Helen.

“People find out that you’re from Melbourne and then they’ll want to make orders and things, it just makes your business feel a little bigger,” said Helen.

Handmade was established in 2008 starting with 35 stalls and has managed to grow into a thriving event while still maintaining the focus on the small businesses.

Small business owner of toy store My Menagerie, Caitlin Perkins, said that Handmade is really worthwhile for her to travel from the Blue Mountains to sell.

“People like to touch and feel the toys. Online is one thing, but Handmade markets are better for me,” said Caitlin.

The next Handmade market is set to be on June 10-11, with consecutive ones in September and December.

By Ruby Becker