Melburnians, It’s Time to Get Prepped for the Ultimate Makers Market Day
The Finders Keepers Melbourne Design Market features almost 270 stalls and rolls around but twice a year. So, if you’re in the business of collecting mindful treasures and giving meaningful gifts, you’ll want to make the most of your day at the fair. Lucky for you, being the Type A bunch we are, we’ve already pulled together a game plan — including strategic snack stops.
So, details. The autumn/winter event runs from 11 to 13 July at the Royal Exhibition Building in the Carlton Gardens. General admission is $12, under-13s are free and, if you like to peruse in peace, there’s a low sensory hour from 9am on Sunday, 13 July. Outside that time, you can expect live music, bars and kid-friendly communal art. It truly is an extravaganza with a mind-blowing range of trinkets and food trucks, which is why we suggest you prep ahead. Let’s get ready together!
PHOTOS: SAMEE LAPHAM
The week before
Secure your ticket
Yes, you can buy tickets at the door, but if you pre-purchase an electronic ticket, you’ll skip the queue and breeze on through. (Pro tip: you’ll also save a couple of bucks.)
Build your wishlist
So many goodies, so little time! Well, you could upgrade to a multi-day ticket and spend three days browsing all the wonderful things (including the wares of some 50 new makers) but if you’re going to do it all in one day, it’s wise to do some pre-game planning and scan the maker profiles ahead of the event. This will help to cut through the overwhelm and make it easy to sort out your ‘to buy’ list (gifts for birthdays, Christmas, friends, just because…).
Make your own tote bag(s)
Sustainable packaging materials, like bags and boxes, can be super expensive, so do your fave makers (and the planet!) a favour and plan to take along some tote bags for your treasure haul (plus, of course, your reusable coffee cup and water bottle…). Even better: make your own swag bag using this super-easy Peppermint pattern.
The day before
Plan your outfit
Monochrome magic, technicolour joy… It doesn’t really matter what you wear, as long as you pick the comfiest shoes you own. Those boots are going to be doing some walking. And don’t forget your scarf and beanie (unless you have a little something from Bendigo Woollen Mills on your to-buy list).
Set your alarm
No pressure or anything, but the early bird gets the worm (or, ahem, future family heirloom). You want to give yourself plenty of time to scope out the stalls, get a sense of what you’re in for and then plan your approach. If you’re anything like us, you’ll probably do several laps of the venue before getting down to the serious business of purchasing.
Day zero – it’s go-time!
Fill that cup
So, you’ve arrived early, scanned your pre-purchased ticket and taken a deep breath… Get ready for your first reward: coffee or a hot bevvie from Coffee Supreme and BeanTo. Swing by and say hi to the folks at Blak Brews, too – the Finders Keepers AW25 Indigenous Program recipient, and winners of Gordon Ramsay’s Food Stars 2024. Their teas and coffees are all about “honouring our ancestors, celebrating native ingredients, and creating a cuppa that actually feels like home”.
Forgot your coffee cup? Take a gander at the ceramics stalls – Beansprout Studio, Ceramiká by Tássia Castello and Clumsy Clay are sure to offer beautiful mugs to add to your collection. (If you also forgot the tote bags, seek out Clingy, Tuukjet and Madbagss, which offer beautiful keepsake carry-alls that are sure to assuage your guilt.)
Fuelled up and ready to go? We usually tackle the aisles from right to left, going back and forth, and doing at least two laps before we start flashing our cash. Finders Keepers have a dedicated debut section for newbie creators, too – don’t forget to download the Market map from the Finders Keepers website to get a sense of where your fave creators are setting up shop!
Take a break
Did we mention how great the food is? This year’s Market introduces the Picnic Ground: an outdoor area filled with a curated lineup of food trucks. There are so many good options to keep you going throughout the day (see: wholesome ice-cream from Billy Van Creamy, Greek doughnuts from St.Gerrys and plant-based shawarma from Hamsa Hummus Bar). Once you’ve picked your treats, find a sunny spot to relax and share a meal. We suggest planning a few breaks throughout the day and maybe grabbing a lunchtime brew or drink from Molly Rose Brewing and Fin Wines. Don’t forget to explore ‘The Neighbourhood’ either: thoughtfully curated by Food for Everyone, this space within the The Finders Keepers market celebrates food, community, and creativity.
Of course, you can take the magic home, too: swing by the market’s foodie vendors for a bounty of pickles from Acide, sauces from Bippi, sweet treats from Cakehouse Collective and more sweet treats (you can’t ever have too many) from Mrs Browne Bakes.
The Day After
Whether you’re lying on the couch burrito-style or cooking up a storm with your market haul, take the time to revel in your finds. It’s about now that we usually realise we would like to keep some of the gifts we bought… Resist the temptation!
