“Our Creative Community is Vital”: Welcome Spring with the Finders Keepers Markets in Brisbane

images AUTUMN/WINTER SEASON. PHOTOS BY SAMEE LAPHAM.

Hold on to your hats shoppers, the Finders Keepers markets are back for a bright and beautiful spring/summer season! With the smell of jasmine in the air and sunny skies, over 90 local and interstate makers will be blooming at the Brisbane Showgrounds from 2–4 September! 

We’ll be there with our latest issue, our best outfits and, as always, good chat! Swing by and document the day with a shot in front of our fabulous floral photo wall, grab a subscription special or a sewing pattern and then rest your weary market feet as you flick through a copy of Peppermint at the Read and Refresh Lounge.

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! Happy days! Head to the link here for all the details. 

To get you excited about all things Finders Keepers and help you curate your shopping list, we caught up with a few fantastic Brisbane stallholders! 

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Retritus

We’re thrilled to be joined at our space by Norton Fredericks from Retritus (you might recognise his pieces from our amazing Issue 51 cover). Norton will be selling some of his gorgeous wares and also spinning yarn live during the weekend! 

Tell us a bit about what you make…

I am a queer, Indigenous, sustainable fibre artist and workshop facilitator based on Bullongin Country, who specialises in felt-making and natural botanical dyes. I create wearable pieces, soft furnishings and large-scale tapestry art. I can also create custom work that utilises leftover floral arrangements from life events like weddings or funerals to create extra special memory cloth. 

What are you looking forward to most about the Brisbane market?

I am most looking forward to meeting new people and connecting with a broader audience. I have been creating new products, especially for this market, and I’m excited to see what people think of them! 

Why is the creative community so special?

The creative community is so special because we love to uplift and support each other. I love having deep conversations with other creatives about their practice. It’s so inspiring. 

Rose and Reggie 

Tell us a bit about what you make…

Hi, my name is Rose and I make clothing. Fun, bright and ethically made clothing!

What do you love about The Finders Keepers?

I love the people that attend Finders Keepers; both stall holders and customers. Everyone is so supportive, they all have such great style and it’s a big weekend filled with amazing conversations.

Connecting with the Finders Keepers community really fills up your cup and keeps you motivated to keep going.

What are you looking forward to most about the Brisbane market?

I can’t pick one thing, I love the whole weekend. I love the set-up, meeting new customers, eating great food, showing off our new styles and making new friends.

Why is the creative community so special?

Because they are so supportive. Sometimes it’s hard work being a creative. Connecting with the Finders Keepers community really fills up your cup and keeps you motivated to keep going.

Lauren Rogers

Tell us a bit about what you make… 

I am a proud Australian Ngarabal visual artist. My artistic vision and inspiration come from my adventures around the country. I like to use layers of fine dotting, linework, colour gradients and Aboriginal symbolism and iconography. I love bright colours that show extreme contrast and capture imagination. 

What do you love about The Finders Keepers? 

The Finders Keepers is a space for creatives to connect, learn and celebrate! I love that the Finders Keepers is leading a conscious shopping marketplace and that it embraces, celebrates and provides a platform for local artists to showcase their craft!

What are you looking forward to most about the Brisbane market? 

Meeting all the fabulous makers from across Brisbane, seeing their beautiful creations and feeling inspired! 

Why is the creative community so unique?

Art has been a part of human culture for many centuries. It has been used to express emotions, to communicate ideas and it has been a way to pass down knowledge from one generation to another. Our creative community is vital in continuing the story and keeping our imaginations running wild! 

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.