The Finders Keepers Market Is Coming To Melbourne And We Want All The Things
- Words by Emma Mulholland
Do you happen to fancy any (or all) of the following: caffeine, cookies, crafts, cocktails? And how do you feel about sitting for a super-cute three-minute portrait by Eleonora Arosio? Keen? Then you’d better get yourself to The Finders Keepers Autumn Winter Markets, which will be bringing all of life’s pleasures to the Royal Exhibition Building in Carlton, Melbourne, from July 12 to 14.
If you’ve ever been to The Finders Keepers, either in Sydney or Melbourne, you’ll know what to expect: sitting somewhere between a makers’ market and a festival, the clever FK organisers dial up the revelry with DJs, top eats, natural wines and craft brews (and if that’s not your jam, that’s ok! Sunday’s low-sensory hour from 9-10am offers perusing without the party vibes).
There are activities for little makers, too, including sensory play with Mikaela Egan, maker of Ochre Dough, non-toxic playdough infused with sweet-smelling lemon myrtle, quandong powder and strawberry gum. Mikaela is one of 50 new stallholders at the Melbourne market and, as a proud Muthi Muthi/Gunditjmara woman, she’s part of a growing mix of First Nations makers who are selling their wares at Finders Keepers.
Fancy a little window shopping? Here are three more Indigenous-owned businesses that might just have you parting with your hard-earned market moolah…
above KENITA LEE
Based in Gunaikurnai Country (Gippsland, Victoria), Aimee McCartney brings a contemporary (and very bright) eye to the art of her ancestors. Inspired by her Taungurung, Wotjobaluk, Wemba Wemba and Boon Wurrung heritage, Aimee’s artworks, homewares and accessories are full of meaningful details (as is her business name, which means “Your Sister” in Taungurung, a nod to her upbringing as the eldest of nine children). Of her work, Aimee says: “I hope to continue the sacred tradition of storytelling through art and to inspire people to connect and learn about First Nations’ culture, history, stories and language.”
Expect smiles all around when you have a pair of Ailsa Walsh’s Spirit Flyer sugar gliders hanging from your lobes. Crafted from cherry wood and resin, this cheeky duo is part of a gorgeous range of earrings that take their cue from Ailsa’s Lardil, Kullilli and Yuggera heritage. Many have special meanings, like the platypus pair, which represents a gentle spirit and friendship. The perfect gift for a BFF, we think.
If you know a strong woman (or happen to be one), then we suggest you take a look at Kenita-Lee McCartney’s “Matriarch” collection. White dots gathered throughout the paintings symbolise women who’ve led the way and who continue to guide us today. A Wemba Wemba, Wiradjuri, Wotjiboluk, Nari Nari and Boon Wurrung woman, Kenita-Lee draws on her diverse lineage and life’s many seasons for her work, which also includes decals, prints and corporate collabs.
THIS ARTICLE WAS CREATED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OUR GOOD FRIENDS AT THE FINDERS KEEPERS. MELBOURNE’S AUTUMN WINTER 2024 MARKET RUNS FROM 12 TO 14 JULY AT THE ROYAL EXHIBITION BUILDING AT CARLTON GARDENS. SINGLE-DAY TICKETS ARE $6 (PLUS BOOKING FEE); ENTRY IS FREE FOR KIDS UNDER 13.
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Look, I don’t want to make anyone panic but IT’S DECEMBER!!! If you’re planning to give homemade gifts, you’re going to have to act fast. …
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🌻 The Paddington 🌻
This is a much-loved staple, created for Issue 50 in 2021. We love seeing the #PeppermintPaddingtonTop continually popping up in our feeds!
How stunning is our model Elon MelaninGoddessEfon – she told us it was one of the first times she had been asked to come to a shoot with her natural hair. 🌻
We worked with South African patternmaker Sarah Steenkamp of @FrenchNavyNow_ to create this wardrobe essential – the perfect puff-sleeve blouse. Raglan sleeves make it the ultimate beginner sew, plus the gorgeous back buttons let you add your own personal twist.
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! 🤩
"The most important shift is moving from volume-led buying to value-led curation – choosing fewer, better products with strong ethics, considered production and meaningful stories. Retailers have real influence here: what you buy signals what you stand for. At Life Instyle, this means using the event to discover and invest in small-scale, planet-considerate brands that align with your values and your customer’s conscience. Consumers don’t need more things; they need better things, and retailers play a key role in selecting, contextualising, and championing why those products matter."
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
Calling all sewists! 📞
Have you made the Peppermint Waratah Wrap Dress yet? Call *1800 I NEED THIS NOW to get making!
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
8 Things to Know About January 26 - from @ClothingTheGaps:
Before you celebrate, take the time to learn the truth. January 26 is not a day of unity it’s a Day of Mourning and Survival for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
It marks the beginning of invasion, dispossession, and ongoing colonial violence. It’s time for truth-telling, not whitewashed history.
Stand in solidarity. Learn. Reflect. Act.
✊🏽 Blog written by Yorta Yorta woman Taneshia Atkinson.
🔗 Link in bio of @ClothingTheGaps to read the full blog
#ChangeTheDate #InvasionDay #SurvivalDay #AlwaysWasAlwaysWillBe #ClothingTheGaps
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. 🌿
