Canberra’s Handmade Markets

On the weekend stall holders came from near and far to sell their wonderfully unique and creative handmade products.

Organiser of the quarterly market, Julie Nichols, says that between 15 000 and 20 000 people attended the market in the National Convention Centre. When she started the market in 2008, they had 36 stalls, but it has now grown to 150 stalls. “I am a milliner and used to have my own stall in various markets,” she says, “After travelling around a bit I realised that Canberra doesn’t have anything like a handmade market, and I felt it needed one as people don’t really get to see these beautiful things unless they are placed in a gallery of some kind.”

Canberran Stacey de Grave was there selling cushion covers, bags and wall art she made through her business “Anastasia de Grave Designer Textiles”. She uses Merimekko fabric as well as some Australian designer fabric in her pieces. “After discovering Merimekko fabric and falling in love with it, I started off making a few pieces for friends. One said that I could do it as a business, so three years ago I set it up.” Like many other stall holders, Stacey’s business is part time. She balances her business with her job as a midwife as well as her three young boys at home.

Elizabeth Deane was also a stall holder selling her hand sewn hats. Elizabeth started her fulltime business “Genie of Hats” five years ago. Based in Sydney, she is about to open her first store in Bondi Junction. “Each piece we make is unique; we never make two of anything. Once I’ve made one, celebrex pills I’m really excited to move onto the next new and fresh design.”

This great little market is full of creativity and interesting products you wouldn’t find anywhere else.