Going to the markets is so exciting! It’s not something that I tended to venture out for but now that I’ve started I’m going to find it very hard to stop.
I seem to have transformed into a hoverer. There are so many creative things to see that it’s hard to avoid buying something from every stall. So I hover, internally debating with myself on the sensibilities of obtaining each item. More so, I like to take the time to look at people’s amazing creations.
There are many markers popping up just in time for Christmas and many regular markets. I decided to test one former, the Undercurrent Design Market held in the National Portrait Gallery (NPG) and one of the latter, the Old Bus Depot Markets (OBDM).
The Undercurrent markets showcased an array of contemporary Australian made design wares. There were ceramics, jewellery, glassware, textiles and many more.
For something different, I came across Alta Papercraft. Here, the artist Anna Trundle specialises in geometric papercraft artwork and makes wall art out of folded paper. You can even purchase do-it-yourself kits to keep the kids occupied and creating something fabulous.
Sustainable Stubbies up-cycles manufactured bottles into vases, jugs and tumblers. Using traditional hot glass techniques, the recycled glass bottles are manipulated and transformed into unique, collectable treasures.
There is nothing quite like this kind of setting for a market, as it was very intimate and comfortable to walk around and ponder the different wares on sale.
For something more regular, every Sunday the Old Bus Depot houses markets ranging from sweet and savoury food stalls to garden and home wares, jewellery and artworks.
Thomas Westra’s stall sells handcrafted, forged steel lizards. His functional home wares include; the loo lizard, hose hook lizard, flowerpot lizard, towel and candle holder lizards. The pointy tails are shaped much as you would clay and two eyes are indented giving each one has its own individual character. It’s quite a unique style that the artist brings to something so simple. I instantly wanted one of these but my landlord probably won’t look too kindly upon the holes I’d have to drill in the wall for some of them. There are also stand-alone options to choose from that will assist in avoiding the wrath of your landlord.
Similarly, I am dying to own a terrarium from Lily’s Garden Gifts. Unfortunately, I would be better suited to looking after a cactus – a mini version of which can also be found here!
Wombat Frames is a manufacturer of recycled and salvaged timbers to create unique multi photo frames. I’ve had some prints at home waiting for something to hold them in and I was instantly taken with the frames sold at Wombat’s. Some are made of plain wood and others are painted with an assortment of bright colours.
Mean Fish Design has a range of art of canvas inspired by Graphic novels and Comics of the 1950’s and Pop Art of the 1960’s.
Whilst there was some debate about the Old Bus Depot Markets in the call out, I enjoyed the breadth and variety they allowed. I like the fact that if I am constantly thinking about an item I wish I had bought, then I can easily go back the week after and it will probably still be there. They are well worthy of their award winning name.
Markets to look out for in the coming weeks:
Handmade Market
12 & 13 December, 10am – 4pm
EPIC, Exhibition Park
Hustle & Scout: Twilight Fashion Market
Little National Hotel
5 December, 3 – 8pm
21 National Cct, Barton
Harley Hall Markets
6 December, 10am – 3pm
Hall Village Showground
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