Forgive the tardiness of this post, but now that I have photos courtesy of my friend Asuma, I can blog about the 2011 Spring/Summer Finders Keepers Market!

The Finders Keepers Markets are a bi-annual event that showcases the work of emerging designers and artists from all around Australia & even New Zealand! Our first markets were held in December 2008 at CarriageWorks in Sydney. in 2009 we successfully launched our first interstate Markets in Brisbane and in 2010 we were proud to be also launching in Melbourne.

With a passion for bringing independent design to the forefront and encouraging the Australian emerging art & design scene, we’ve created markets that maintain a grass roots level however maintain to have work of high standards in both quality and innovative design. (Source: The Finders Keepers website)

I always enjoy going to the markets to see all the interesting wares of local designers and craftspeople. In the past I’ve gone by myself or with my boyfriend (who is not as keen on ‘shopping’ as I am), but this year I took along my friend Asuma (who moved here from Bangladesh to study Medicine), since I knew she would love the sort of things that were being sold at The Finders Keepers, and I’ve made it my mission to show her the cool, arty side of Sydney while she’s here.

Here are some photos that she managed to get of the markets on the Friday night:

One of the highlights of the night was stumbling upon this adorable presentation of cardboard props by dani m designs! I loved it so much that I actually asked them if I could have the cash register and since they were going to dispose of them on Saturday before they went back to Melbourne, they told me to swing by when the markets were closing on Saturday to pick it up! I’m not sure if you guys will ever see this blog entry, but if you do, thank you so much and you should know that it is currently sitting in my room on my workbench desk!

This year’s Finders Keepers Market also had some cool workshops by Rizzeria and Lomography Australia for people who were interesting in Rizzo printing and photography with Lomo cameras. I picked up some 100ISO slide film from them, and also got many compliments on my Lomo La Sardina Cubic throughout the night! And of course, In An Instant Photography was there and you could see everyone flocking to get some crazy Polaroid shots of themselves. It’s definitely not a proper visit to the Finders Keepers Market for me if I don’t get one! Here’s how Asuma and I looked all silly-ed up:

It was very nice to walk around observing all the interesting and quirky wares, but I really did enjoy chatting to some of the stallholders as well. I’m aiming to be able to make enough artworks and craft pieces next year so that I can start applying for a stall of my own at the markets. I think it would be an interesting experience just because of all the opportunities available to network with other artists, designers and craft enthusiasts. And of course, Asuma and I did not part ways from the markets empty-handed! Asuma bought herself an adorable DIY cross-stitch necklace from Delilah Devine. And here’s a photo of my wares below:

A Cut & Stitch Doll from TMOD, a Matryoshka craft panel from Kristen Doran and a super-adorable bow-tie from Marcello Neckwear (I should also mention that the gentleman who sold me the bow-tie was wearing the most awesome three-piece suit ever. What made it even more awesome was that he found it in an op shop for $10.00!)

I’m looking forward to the next lot of Sydney markets, as well as preparing my own application! *fingers crossed*