Finders Keepers is BAAACK! The most recent Spring/Summer market was one of the best I’ve attended. Finders Keepers Markets are held throughout the year in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. The markets are somewhat “juried” in that artists apply to participate and are chosen to participate. I met some new artists and delighted to catchup with previous favs.  Keep an eye on Finders Keepers website for 2018 dates. For a directory of artists in Melbourne for #SS17 click here.

“More of a festival than a market, the events combine design, art, good food, live music and a fun community spirit under one awesome roof in major city locations.  Our markets are a unique experience to shoppers with each visit, with new sellers being showcased at each event.  We have always sought out beautiful venues with historical significance to host our events, further reinforcing the sense of wonder to shoppers and stallholders alike.”

New finds:

The Naturalist Melbourne Louise Oosthuizen stall at Finders Keepers was like a mini museum of vintage lost andnow found items – silver, feathers, trophies, boxes, wood, metal, paper and more.  She sometimes combines vintage finds with succulents to create beautiful hard and soft greenery. This really caught my eye and glad to have them in my home. It is worth the time to really look at her shop and stall. Instagram Facebook 

 

 

Ellis – Laura Sullivan is a very talented creative who combines wood and resin to create timeless, casual jewelry worthy of any collection. Her pieces dress up a t-shirt; provide a fine finish off your LBD or perfect for work with a suit or sweater. Delighted to have a necklace and earrings for my collection. Instagram Facebook

“Ellis features a range of handmade jewellery, all created locally in Brunswick. From large statement necklaces to chunky rings and bangles, Ellis pieces are created in a a range of colours. Each Ellis piece is hand dyed, poured and finished by hand using locally sourced materials.”

 

 

Klei on Beach – I was delighted to meet Mark and family at Finders Keepers #SS17. The shapes that spoke to me were

hand formed and their glazes are unique – it provides both color and design interest on their pottery. Glad to have a piece in my collection now. All local and handmade. Instagram Facebook

“Klei on Beach is a small ceramic design and manufacturing business based in Melbourne.  We create original contemporary ceramics to help our customers decorate their home with everything from planters to plates.  All our pottery is lovingly handmade and decorated by a small family of Potters and Designers at our Mordialloc studio.”

 

Favorites I follow:

Plant by Packwood – Charlotte and Bayden live and love their terrariums and Bayden is an artist in selecting vesselsand plantlife. If you are in Melbourne and can stop by Rose Street Market, you’ll find Plant by Packwood there Wednesday through Sunday in a permanent space. And even better if you can take one of Bayden’s terrarium workshops – worth it! I have made my own and given a few Plant by Packwood terrariums as gifts – they do not disappoint! Instagram Facebook

 

Blacbrail Atelier – indigo is back at Finders Keepers and other markets around Australia. I am a devotee because she keeps reinventing her work – from rings and necklaces made of what looks like folded silver to embedding gems into the folds to creating silver gems and setting them in her unique silver settings. Earrings, necklaces and more. Every time she prepares for a market there are new ideas on display. Beyond her market appearances – you can always find Blac Braile at Rose Street Market on Saturday and Sunday. Instagram Also see my previous post on Blacbraile (I am obsessed.)

“Always looking to push the boundaries on design and wearability, indigo continues to evolve her techniques in order to recreate textures such as crumpled baking paper, folded paper or tin foil. More recent designs that mimic eroded concrete and aged paint. Each piece is a one off and all have an element of texture ranging from extremely subtle up to extremely heavy textures while all still taking on a minimalist approach.”

Two Threads – has been a favorite of mine since I met Sally and Karen at the Shirts and Skirts market at Abbotsford Convent. LOVE their pants and clothing redux of found materials. Their Spring/Summer collection does not disappoint with the right fabric weight and drape. You can find them on line, at markets and in the Design A Space in Fitzroy. Instagram Facebook