“An Electric Atmosphere”: Don’t Miss the Finders Keepers Market in Sydney This Weekend
top image THE FINDERS KEEPERS SYDNEY SS21 BY SAMEE LAPHAM.
Closing out a stunning autumn/winter season, The Finders Keepers market is hitting the harbour city this weekend, returning to The Cutaway, Barangaroo Reserve from the 29–31 July. Shop with local New South Wales and interstate makers, learn something new at workshops with MakerSpace & Co and Clay Sydney, snap a shot in front of our fabulous floral photo wall and rest your weary market feet as you flick through copies of Peppermint at the Read and Refresh Lounge. What more could you ask for on a Sydney weekend!?
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 dream! 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 four of the incredible Sydney stallholders!
image THE FINDERS KEEPERS SYDNEY SS21 BY SAMEE LAPHAM.
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Deadly Denim
Tell us a bit about what you make?
Sustainability is at the heart of Deadly Denim – we create one-off, recycled denim pieces and customise them with First Nations artwork. At The Finders Keepers stall you will find recycled denim shopping bags, jackets, skirts, dresses and jeans showcasing artwork by Bobbi Lockyer, Kiya Watt, Mikayla King, Leona McGrath, Cungelella Art, Babbarra Women’s Centre and Ikuntji Arts.
Why do you love The Finders Keepers?
I love the creative community that Brooke and Sarah have created! This will be my first market in person – we need one over on Nyungar country (south-west WA)! I also love that the Melbourne Finders Keepers had 20 First Nations-owned and led small businesses this year at the event.
What are you looking forward to most about the Sydney market?
I’m looking forward to visiting Gadigal Country, it will be my first time. Also to meet all of our Sydney-based followers, to meet other creatives and to share the message of changing our habits that support the fast-fashion industry and to buy from recycled and slow fashion labels instead.
Why is the creative community so special?
The creative community is so deadly. I love how supportive we are of each other and always love meeting other people working in creative industries and yarning about what they do and create.
Voluptuary Ceramics
Tell us a bit about what you make?
I make shapely vessels and dreamy pastel tableware for my ceramic brand Voluptuary. I love to play with objects that appear soft, gelatinous and jelly-like and turn them into joyous, functional, handmade objects that blend beauty with something visceral and emotive. If you find me at the market, you can expect a treasure trove of colourful porcelain tumblers, belly mugs, iridescent vases and sorbet-coloured serving ware.
Why do you love The Finders keepers?
The Finders Keepers is a market that really celebrates creativity. It’s a melting pot of talented and dedicated artists and makers showcasing the best work they have to offer. So much creativity in one space has an electric atmosphere. The food is always delectable and the drinks are just as tempting. It really is the perfect social outing and shopping directly from a creative small business fosters a joy like no other.
What are you looking forward to most about the Sydney market?
I think the inner child in me really sees markets as an opportunity to play shop. Decorating my stall to make it as pink and feel as magical as possible is one of my favourite parts of the whole event. I love admiring the other stallholders’ setups as much as I do their products. It really is an event worth visiting, ogling and shopping for your favourite finds.
Why is the creative community so special?
The Finders Keepers is definitely an event that draws in a wonderful community. Meeting so many new people and sharing my brand with them is what I look forward to the most. Nothing beats connecting in person and I am really grateful to be able to do so in such a beautiful venue, surrounded by so much creative energy! If you pop by the market please come and say hello, I’ll be at the pink and orange stall, dripping flowers and overly discussing the joy a handmade mug can bring you.
Scrubba Body
Tell us a bit about what you make?
We are all about ‘self-care’ and treating yourself. With bath and body products like body scrubs, soaks, soaps and oils along with face masks and lip balms. Also, soy candles to complete that at-home spa experience.
Why do you love The Finders Keepers?
There is such an amazing sense of community at every Finders Keepers market, from customers, organisers and other stallholders alike. Everyone is happy to be in such a vibrant and entertaining environment. Also, the organisers do an amazing job at curating an amazing group of high-quality stallholders and conveying that message so that customers know what to expect.
What are you looking forward to most about the Sydney market?
At the Sydney market, we get to catch up with a lot of our Sydney customers face-to-face, which is amazing and something we don’t get to do as often as we would like. Also, on a more selfish note, getting in a quick shop for myself with the other amazing stallholders and getting some sweet treats to take home!
Why is the creative community so special?
Talk to anyone in the creative community and you’ll be lucky to find one person that isn’t completely approachable, down-to-earth and super passionate about what they do. I am constantly in awe of some of the creations I see from this community and it shows that a lot of creatives are wired differently… which I think is awesome!
Alice’s Earth
Tell us a bit about what you make?
I hand-make fine jewellery using solid recycled metals and sustainably sourced stones. I also hand-make solid brass key-rings and wall hangings. My style is best described as line drawing with metal.
Why do you love The Finders Keepers?
The Finders Keepers has helped me grow my small business substantially over the past few years. From visiting as a customer in 2018 to debuting as a stall holder and opening my Samford shop in 2021.
What are you looking forward to most about the Sydney market?
I’ve never travelled interstate for work before so I’m really looking forward to this market and seeing more of Sydney. I’ve made small business friends and customer friends over the years who live down here so I’m excited to meet everyone in person. Also keen to discover some more small businesses.
Why is the creative community so special?
Everyone is like-minded and has an appreciation for each other’s work. It’s inspiring to follow and learn about other creatives.
