Regular trips to my local markets have been one of the things I’ve missed the most during the pandemic. Thankfully, the famous Finders Keepers Markets are offering the opportunity to experience everything we love about markets from the comfort and safety of our own homes. The online event starts today (4 March) and continues until Sunday.
Elph Ceramics homewares
Unable to hold the markets in person throughout 2020, the Finders Keepers have drawn in tens of thousands of shoppers through their online marketplace. They have now added this dedicated market weekend to their calendar.
Breezy Bird Studio artwork
The Finders Keepers have filled their virtual aisles with your favourite brands, labels and businesses for you to peruse. Take advantage of the exclusive artist discounts and offers over the next four days.
More Than Ever textiles
After the unprecedented difficulty of last year, events like this are vital to not only get Australia’s vibrant create community back on their feet, but to allow them to thrive.
Turner + Turner timber homewares
If you’re aching to give your homewares a much needed refresh, The Finders Keepers will certainly have pieces to catch your eye. Visit the online marketplace from today until Sunday and take advantage of their event exclusive offers. Of course, you’ll also find fashion, accessories, gifts and more too!
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Finders Keepers returns to their spiritual home at Eveleigh’s Australian Technology Park from the 29th of April to the 1st of May. As Australia’s leading maker market, there will be a fantastic range of goods on sale.
Photo: Dave Kan
One of the most enchanting things about Finders Keepers is that you are literally surrounded by beautiful and unique products, with the creative minds behind them on hand to assist you or have a chat should you be interested.
Find homemade ceramics, hand poured and deliciously scented candles, original artworks and cushions and homewares suited for whatever room you’re decorating.
Studio Cockatoo. Photo: Bec Taylor
There is innovative and one-of-a-kind fashion, accompanied by a plethora of handmade jewellery stalls. Just as much as I enjoy browsing the clothes for sale, I love checking out the outfits stallholders and customers put together for inspiration. The whole market is imbued with creativity, not least the people in it!
Urban Cartel. Photo: Dave Kan
Artist Leah Bartholomew, the mind behind homewares label Beneath The Sun, is featuring fine art at Finders Keepers this year. She says it’s this variety and chance to meet customers and fellow designers that draws her to the market.
“Hands down my favourite thing about the marker is meeting everyone who supports my brand, and interacting with fellow designers. It is such a highly professional setup where we get to showcase our work in beautiful buildings and be surrounded my top quality work.”
Beau Wylie. Photo: Bec Taylor
It’s this opportunity to interact and share creatively that is making Shane Thompson, creator of leather goods label Afternoons With Albert, so excited to be participating in his debut Finders Keepers. He is excited to show customers the passion and authenticity that he puts into his work.
Angus and Celeste. Photo: Bec Taylor
Shane is just one of many first-time stallholders at the market this year. Finders Keepers ensures that approximately 30% of the 200-plus stallholders are brand new, meaning that new and exciting items being created by community members have a chance to show off their work.
This is part of the magic of Finders Keepers – designers and artists at different stages of development meet and feed of each other. According to market organisers, the shoppers and community itself also helps nurture this growth.
Photo: Dave Kan
So if you’re in the market for bespoke and handmade goods, or even if you’re not (I’m yet to come away from Finders Keepers empty-handed despite intentions otherwise!), check out Finders Keepers. I can guarantee you’ll come away happy and inspired!
For the first time, Adelaide residents will be able to experience the magic that is the Finders Keepers markets this winter.
Arguably the country’s biggest and best design market, Finders Keepers launched in Sydney in 2008 and currently runs in Melbourne and Brisbane and too.
“The design community in Adelaide have been super keen for us to head that way since we launched, so we’re incredibly excited to be able to host our inaugural event in South Australia, “ says co-founder Brooke Johnston.
Over 200 stalls are expected to set up in the historical Jubilee Pavilion at the Adelaide Showgrounds at Wayville from 12-to-14 August this year.
“We can’t wait to see what new and unique items the creative makers of Adelaide bring to our new annual event, and we’re sure that shoppers will be immensely impressed by what’s on offer,” says Brooke.
Applications for stallholders are currently open so if you’re the creator of original and creative work, independent designs or high quality handmade products, it’s the perfect forum in which to gain invaluable exposure and kick start your design business.
“We provide a limited number of debut spaces to fledgling artists and designers who’d like to road test their products with the public or are keen to enlist their business into the exciting world of Finders Keepers,” says the market’s communications and sponsorships manager, Angela D’Alton.
“Our market maintains a reputation as the best for designers launching their labels, for makers to meet their audience and to connect with the lovely, like-minded people of this community,” says Angela.
To find out more about applying for a stall at the event, or simply information about attending, click here for more.
Spring is finally here, and what better way to celebrate than at The Finders Keepers Spring Summer Markets?
The festival vibes and boutique fun will be returning to Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney over October, November and December, where they will showcase a vast array of independent designers, artists and musicians from all around Australia.
“We have been curating an exciting line-up of the best local designers from each state, some of which are new on the scene and some much loved favourites,” said Sarah Thornton, co-director of Finders Keepers. “Every year our community of emerging designers is growing, and it is a pleasure to be able to celebrate their work with a weekend of festivities, food, music and of course inspiring design.”
Whether it’s a moreish gourmet pizza from The Happy Camper pizza truck, or a decadent made-to-order dessert from St. Gerry, Melbournians won’t have to look hard to find a good time this October long weekend. Hosted at the Royal Exhibition Building, dog owners will find doggy beds worth showing off at Nice Digs, and jewellery lovers can expect handcrafted wooden beauties at Woodfolk.
This is merely the tip of the iceberg, with over 250 stalls offering everything from cutting edge fashion and artisan ceramics to organic coffee. Only $2 entry and free for kids under 12, there will be something for everyone at the Finders Keepers Spring Summer Market.
Brisbane will get a taste at the Old Museum from Saturday 7 to Sunday 8 of November, and Sydney will have to wait for the Australian Technology Park to host it Friday 11 to Sunday 13 December.
To view the full line-up of amazing designers, artists, musicians and food trucks that will be at the Melbourne markets keep be sure to check out the Finders Keepers blog.
Kara Rosenlund is awesome. If you don’t already know about her, you need to, so check out her new blog here immediately! The talented Brisbane-based stylist and props buyer (not to mention photographer) just had her divine home featured on The Design Files. Best of all (in my opinion), Kara has a Travelling Wares pop-up shop of vintage treasures in a gorgeous CARAVAN. That’s right! Frankie is a lovingly restored 1956 Franklin Caravan. You lucky Queenslanders can visit Frankie this Saturday (26 November 2011) at the Jan Power Farmers Markets at New Farm’s Powerhouse in Brisbane from 6am until 1pm. Jealous…
