The Finders Keepers Markets Are Swinging Back Into Melbourne Next Week
- Words by Peppermint
top image THE FINDERS KEEPERS MELBOURNE SS19 BY SAMEE LAPHAM.
Can you believe it?! The Finders Keepers markets are back in full-swing, baby! We’re so excited to be part of the 2022 seasons – on board again as the proud media partner – and can’t wait to see all you shiny, happy people at the events.
Next up in the season is the Melbourne/Naarm market which will return to the Royal Exhibition Building during NAIDOC Week from the 8–10 of July. You’ll be able to say g’day to us (along with over 200 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.
Tickets are on sale now (just $5) and when you buy 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.
This season, Finders Keepers is expanding its Indigenous Program with the support of Aboriginal Melbourne and City of Melbourne, welcoming 20 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander owned and operated businesses to the Melbourne/Naarm market.
To get you excited about all things Finders Keepers and help you curate your shopping list, we caught up with four of the incredible First Nations stallholders – read on to meet the creatives behind Yilam, Haus of Dizzy, Emma Stenhouse Art and Pop Wilder!
image THE FINDERS KEEPERS MELBOURNE SS19 BY SAMEE LAPHAM.
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YILAM
Tell us a bit about who you are and what you make…
Yilam is a 100% Aboriginal-owned and female-led business – founded by mother and daughter team Kaley and Jo. We offer a range of ethically and sustainably sourced camping equipment and immersive on-Country experiences for Mob and socially conscious campers.
What inspires your work?
Unfortunately, the camping industry currently leaves a lot of people out of the conversation. Our brand ethos is all about centring Aboriginal philosophies of interconnectedness, reciprocity and connecting to Country. Our mission is to empower all people, no matter their background, to feel welcome, confident and safe out bush! Underpinning this, and all we do in life and business, are the following three key values: caring for Country; ethical operations; and [being] inclusive and accessible. We’re here to change the way you think about camping!
Why is the creative community so special?
The creative community is so special because we are able to see the beauty in the everyday and are generally able to think outside of the box – leading to innovation, problem solving, more inclusive spaces and new ways of working.
What are you looking forward to most about the Melbourne/Naarm market?
The opportunity to spread the word about Yilam and what we’re about and to meet like minded people, who care for Country and believe in a brighter, more equitable and sustainable future for all.
HAUS OF DIZZY
Tell us a bit about who you are and what you make…
I create bold, playful, statement-making jewellery that celebrates and honours my Indigenous culture. I also love being inclusive of all my customers; I hope to have something for everyone to feel confident and empowered about who they are.
What inspires your work?
My work is inspired by ‘90s fashion and hip hop, my Indigenous culture, growing up as a little brown girl in the inner west suburbs of Sydney and being surrounded by creative friends.
Why is the creative community so special?
The creative community is so special because we all share the same interests and support each other. I love meeting other creatives and talking about all things arty!
What are you looking forward to most about the Melbourne/Naarm market?
I’m looking forward to catching up with the other stall holders and meeting all my wonderful customers.
EMMA STENHOUSE
Tell us a bit about who you are and what you make…
I’m a multifaceted creative and explore a diverse range of art, including painting, weaving, sewing, design and printmaking. I create artwork that uses traditional iconography in a contemporary manner. The stories are shared from my own experiences as an Indigenous woman.
What inspires your work?
My work is predominately inspired by nature, nature’s colour palette and beauty in the simplest of things – something I constantly delight in. I also love to share stories and connect with people through my art practice.
Why is the creative community so special?
We are a community of givers; our creativity is about cross-cultural exchange and connection. It’s been wonderful just meeting other creatives in the lead-up to the markets and discovering their work. It really is a privilege being involved in The Finders Keepers markets – I’m particularly excited as it’s my first time being on the other side, instead of visiting.
What are you looking forward to most about the Melbourne/Naarm market?
I’m most looking forward to being surrounded by other creatives, particularly my First Nations brothers and sisters who are showcasing the beauty of our culture.
POP WILDER
Tell us a bit about who you are and what you make…
We are Pop Wilder, a design-based, indoor plant studio in Melbourne led by a landscape architect and a psychologist with a background in horticulture. We love to help people benefit from all the amazing things that come with having indoor plants in your home by making it super accessible, providing fun engaging content and making your and your space look and FEEL good because with a nice space at home, we believe you will feel happier, safer and healthier.
What inspires your work?
We are inspired by the natural world. There is such a diverse dynamic in each natural space you encounter, whether it is an overgrown suburban train line or one of our incredible natural wonders here in Naarm. We are so inspired by the way so many species can come together to create these dynamic ecosystems in nature and truly believe that everyone can experience the sense of fullness and light that comes with being in nature by cultivating your space.
We are of course inspired deeply by our collective creative community, by the vibrant art world of now and the past, the fast-moving social media landscape and, in turn, how we communicate through this by photo or video, and our amazing team is forever inspiring each other!
Why is the creative community so special?
Every single person who has endeavoured with their art should be celebrated because they have spent their time growing their knowledge of their art, and the vulnerability you have to accept by sharing this sacred part of your soul is huge! Luckily with social media, creatives are encouraged to share and relish in their creativity and I think we are so lucky to be in this hotpot of creatives with new and interesting things going on constantly. Let’s face it, it’s the creatives that keep this world interesting and vibrant!
What are you looking forward to most about the Melbourne/Naarm market?
We were so, so lucky and so, so grateful that City of Melbourne sponsored our stall! As lovers of setting up spaces, we can’t wait to set up the stall and have a lush green moment. We can’t wait to meet our fellow creatives who are just such an incredible array of artists, makers and creatives. And, of course, we love having chats about plants so are looking forward to talking with all of our amazing customers who are coming through the space.
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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Pattern via the link in bio! 🪡
Photos: @KelleySheenan
Fabric: @Spoonflower
Model: MelaninGoddessEfon
“In the 1940’s, Norwegians made and wore red pointed hats with a tassel as a form of visual protest against Nazi occupation of their country. Within two years, the Nazis made these protest hats illegal and punishable by law to wear, make, or distribute. As purveyors of traditional craft, we felt it appropriate to revisit this design.”
Crafters have often been at the heart of many protest movements, often serving as a powerful means of political expression. @NeedleAndSkein, a yarn store in Minnesota, are helping to mobilise the craftivists of the world with a ‘Melt The Ice’ knitting pattern created by @Yarn_Cult (with a crochet pattern too), as a way of peaceful protest.
The proceeds from the $5 pattern will go to local immigrant aid organisations – or you can donate without buying the pattern.
Raise those needles, folks – art and craft can change the world. 🧶
Link in bio for the pattern.
Images: @Gather_Fiber @NeedleAndSkein @a2ina2 @KyraGiggles Sandi.204 @WhatTracyMakes AllieKnitsAway Auntabwi2
#MeltTheIce #Craftivism #Knitting #CraftForChange
TWO WEEKS TO GO! 🤩
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Only two more weeks until @Life_Instyle – Australia`s leading boutique retail trade show. If you own a store, don`t miss this event! Connect with designers, source exquisite – and mindful – products, and see firsthand why this is Australia’s go-to trade show for creatives and retailers alike. And it`s free! ✨️
Life Instyle – Sydney/Eora Country
14-17 February 2026
ICC, Darling Harbour
Photos: @Samsette
#LifeInstyle #SustainableShopping #SustainableShop #RetailTradeEvent
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This gorgeous green number was modelled (and made) by the fabulous Lisa of @Tricky.Pockets 🙌🏼
If you need a nudge, @ePrintOnline are offering Peppermint sewists a huge 🌟 30% off ALL A0 printing 🌟 when you purchase the Special Release Waratah Wrap Dress pattern – how generous is that?!
Head to the link in bio now 📞
*Not a real number in case that wasn`t clear 😂
#PeppermintWaratahWrapDress #PeppermintPatterns #SewingPattern #WrapDress #WrapDressPattern
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🔗 Link in bio of @ClothingTheGaps to read the full blog
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As the world careens towards AI seeping into our feeds, finds and even friend-zones, it`s becoming increasingly hard to ignore.
We just wanted to say that here at Peppermint, we are choosing to not print or publish AI-generated art, photos, words, videos or content.
Merriam-Webster’s human editors chose `slop` as the 2025 Word of the Year – they define it as “digital content of low quality that is produced usually in quantity by means of artificial intelligence.” The problem is, as AI increases in quality, it`s becoming more and more difficult to ascertain what`s real and what`s not.
Let`s be clear here, AI absolutely has its place in science, in climate modelling, in medical breakthroughs, in many places... but not in replacing the work of artists, writers and creatives.
Can we guarantee that everything we publish is AI-free? Honestly, not really. We know we are not using it to create content, but we are also relying on the artists, makers and contributors we work with, as well as our advertisers, to supply imagery, artwork or words created by humans. AI features are also creeping into programs and apps too, making it difficult to navigate. But we will do our best to avoid it and make a stand for the artists and creatives who have had their work stolen and used to train AI machines, and those who are now losing work as they are replaced by this energy-sapping, environment-destroying magic wand.
Could using it help our productivity and bottom line? Sure. And as a small business in a difficult landscape, that`s a hard one to turn down. We know other publishers who use AI to write stories, create recipes, produce photo shoots... but this one is important to us.
`Touch grass` was also a Merriam-Webster Word of the Year. We`ll happily stick with that as a theme, thanks very much. 🌿
