Get Ready – Finders Keepers is Returning in 2021!
- Words by Peppermint
Can you believe it?! The Finders Keepers markets are back in full-swing, baby! We’re so excited to be part of the 2021 seasons – on board as the proud media partner – and can’t wait to see all your bright, happy faces at the events.
First up in the Autumn/Winter season is Brisbane where the magic will happen at the Exhibition Building in Brisbane Showgrounds from 23 – 25 April. You’ll be able to say g’day to us (along with almost 100 other stall holders), pick up a special subscription offer and snap a shot in front of our fabulous floral photo wall. We’ll also have a small range of our latest sewing patterns for sale printed as A0 (to save you the hassle of sticky taping together a mountain of A4 pages from our digital sewing patterns). Come say hello to the team then get your fill of design, fashion, homewares and all the usual Finders Keepers goodness.
IMAGE: THE FINDERS KEEPERS BRISBANE SS19. PHOTO BY SAMEE LAPHAM.
After Brisbane, the markets head to Sydney and take over The Cutaway in Barangaroo Reserve from 7 – 9 May before finishing up in Melbourne at The Royal Exhibition Building in Carlton on 9 – 11 July!
Tickets are on sale now (just $5) for the Brisbane and Sydney markets (with only pre-purchased tickets available this year due to COVID restrictions). By simply buying a ticket, you’ll go in the running to win one of five subscriptions to Peppermint! What a steal. Head to the link here for all the details and book your session time today.
While events took a necessary back seat over the last year, due to you-know-what, and pivoting became the order of the day (we’ll be happy to never see that word ever again), nothing beats seeing lovely things in person, along with meeting the makers behind the talented brands. We’re super excited to be (cautiously!) seeing all our friends again, and can’t wait to help support all the small designers and businesses.
To get you excited about all things Finders Keepers and help you curate your shopping list, we caught up with five of the lovely stallholders ahead of the first event to learn a bit about what they do and why they love the markets!
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Claire Ritchie
Tell us a bit about what you make?
I design original patterns and artwork. I make linen wall hangings, kitchen towels and cushions all out of my Brisbane home studio. I also have a selection of giclee art prints, screen prints, gift cards and socks that are all produced in Australia.
Why do you love The Finders Keepers?
I love The Finders Keepers as it brings together customers, designers and makers who are all passionate about supporting locally made and designed products. It allows us to all mingle together under one roof providing opportunities to share, learn and celebrate so much talent!
What are you looking forward to most about returning to the markets in 2021?
I can’t wait to see my customers and fellow creatives face to face. Markets have always been such an uplifting experience for me as you’re energised by people’s love of what you do and walk away at the end of the three days feeling so pumped up. It really inspires you to keep going, and hopefully it inspires others to start their own business or creative venture too!
Why is the creative community so special?
Because they lift you up and cheer you on! They understand how hard it can be to sustain a creative business and you’re able to share these experiences and help each other out. That’s pretty special!
Renee Waters
Tell us a bit about what you make?
We make colourful porcelain jewellery with gold and platinum lustre. Our stoneware vessels, trinket dishes and slip cast vessels are partly made from the off cuts from our jewellery making process.
Why do you love The Finders Keepers?
Back in 2015 when we had a debut stall with Finders Keepers, it was such a successful event for us, we were approached by several boutique owners to set up wholesale accounts.
Participating in the events have enabled us to purchase equipment such as our kiln and set up our studio for production. We have met creative business owners from all over Australia and can ask them for advice and offer support to one another. We’ve been able to reach a much bigger audience via Finders Keepers both in-person and online. The events provide us with instant feedback on products.
What are you looking forward to most about returning to the markets in 2021?
The buzz of a live event! Checking out the latest fashion that customers and stall holders are wearing. Shopping for some handmade treats for myself! It will be an emotional and exciting time for stall holders and the Finders Keepers crew.
Why is the creative community so special?
Arts events are an important part of Australia’s culture and economy. It is vital that these events can keep going to foster new talent and keep creative businesses thriving. I have always wanted to have a creative business since I was in high school so to be a part of a much bigger creative community is an incredible bonus. We’re always inspired by creatives who are dedicated to their art practice and business life.
Big Bite Eco
Tell us a bit about what you make?
At Big Bite Eco we make eco-friendly kitchenwares that don’t cost the earth and offer up tips and tricks to live a more sustainable lifestyle. We think living a lil’ more sustainably is something we can all achieve and it doesn’t have to be an ‘all or nothing’ approach. It can be fun times and cute things all at the same time.
Why do you love The Finders Keepers?
Finders Keepers is great because it brings together so many amazing Australian creative businesses in one place. The vibes are always on point and it’s always such a fun weekend meeting new people – customers and other creators alike.
What are you looking forward to most about returning to the markets in 2021?
OMG! Being able to talk to people in person!!! So excited they’re letting us out of our houses and we’re allowed to travel and socialise again!
Why is the creative community so special?
It’s amazing to be part of a creative community as you can bounce ideas off each other. Every Finders Keepers event I’ve done I’ve always walked away with heaps of new friends and we continue to support each other long after the events.
Oddish
Tell us a bit about what you make?
Oddish is a slow fashion and jewellery label based on the Sunshine Coast. Every piece in the Oddish collection is made locally in small batches – the jewellery is handmade by me using traditional practices and I work closely with a seamstress who hand cuts and sews my garments.
Why do you love The Finders Keepers?
It’s been a doozy of a year, but through The Finders Keepers I have been able to connect with so many beautiful humans beyond my local area. Through the online events and marketplace, my brand has reached homes far and wide! I’ve laughed and shared stories with my customers over email and I feel so fortunate to have such a supportive creative community around me during the rollercoaster of managing my small business.
What are you looking forward to most about returning to the markets in 2021?
The Finders Keepers in-person, can-you-believe-it’s-really-happening event is an opportunity to not only share my sustainable ethos, but bond with people over those pursuits. There’s something a bit spesh about meeting someone you’ve never met and instantly knowing you’re on the same wavelength – and they get to take home a little slice of Oddish to continue that story with their circles.
Why is the creative community so special?
Knowing that you’re part of a community that is founded on sharing knowledge, propping others up and providing a platform to share your creative pursuits is really grounding. Having this enables me to feel more comfortable taking risks, push myself further and in doing so, carve my own path so I can continue to give back to the community that I’ve leant on. It’s truly the life blood of being a creative.
Lisa Hu
Tell us a bit about what you make?
I make ceramics, artworks and have just recently started printing patterns on textiles! My work is heavily inspired by nature, sustainability and organic shapes.
Why do you love The Finders Keepers?
I love going to the markets to meet other creatives and see their amazing creations! It is always such a hub of positive energy and talent, a source of inspiration and a great opportunity to meet makers IRL rather than through a screen!
What are you looking forward to most about returning to the markets in 2021?
This is the biggest market I will have ever done and it’s both daunting and exciting! I feel like after the last year of being somewhat cooped up I’m ready to connect with people again and show off everything I’ve been making.
Why is the creative community so special?
The creative community has proved to be more important to me than ever during COVID times, because it’s so tight-knit and easy to make friends who love the same things you do! Without the community I would never have the confidence or support to do what I do!
top image THE FINDERS KEEPERS BRISBANE SS19. PHOTO BY SAMEE LAPHAM.
The Finders Keepers is Australia’s largest curated marketplace of makers, designers and entrepreneurs. Online, and via their major market events, the Finders Keepers is where communities come together to shop, explore and discover the very best from designers, makers and entrepreneurs in our country.
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A Longer Table is exactly what it sounds like: one beautiful shared table inside the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (@Asrc1), piled with generous dishes inspired by this year’s hero cooks, Noha and Nige.
From 6 to 9pm on Wednesday, 25 March, this is what you can expect:
🍽 A three-course shared feast
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✨ A room full of good humans
Your ticket doesn’t just buy you a delicious dinner. It supports the ASRC’s vital work and helps create a fairer future for people seeking asylum.
Seats are limited, and long tables have a way of filling up quickly – head to @MelbFoodAndWine’s website to book now: feastforfreedom.org.au/mfwf
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