“An Electric Atmosphere”: Don’t Miss the Finders Keepers Market in Sydney This Weekend
- Words by Peppermint
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.
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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How much do you LOVE the Waratah Wrap Dress? A lot, it seems! 🪩
This fabulous gingham linen version was modelled (and made) by the talented Mel of @Melt.Stitches 🫶🏼
If you need more of a reason, @ePrintOnline are offering Peppermint peeps a huge 🌟 30% off ALL A0 printing 🌟 when you purchase the Special Release Waratah Wrap Dress pattern until 29 February – jump on it while you can!
Head to the link in bio now. 🪩
#PeppermintWaratahWrapDress #PeppermintPatterns #SewingPattern #WrapDress #WrapDressPattern
Fun, fabrics, florals and fab fashion fits by local sewists – what a way to spend a day!
The @LibertyFabrics Showcase hosted by @2GreenZebras and @Regent_Street_Fabrics in Brisbane/Meanjin was a spectacular event. We learned the history of the iconic Liberty Fabrics from two legends, Mary-Ann Dunkley (Head of Design) and Anna Buruma (Archive Director), browsed stalls bursting with Liberty delights and cheered on our local sewist pals on the runway with the @StyleArc Fashion Parade. A little biased shoutout to our Sewing Manager Laura who graced the catwalk with her gorgeous make (check the bag and shoes!). Well done to all involved. 👏🏼
Melbourne/Naarm – it’s your turn this weekend. We can’t wait to see what our Southern friends create for the event.
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#LibertyFabricsShowcase #RegentStreetFabrics #TwoGreenZebras #LibertyLondon #LibertyFabrics
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Incredible quilted art from Pam Brisse of @Pamdorra:
“Just sharing this intense quilting job, it’s almost done!
All I can think is people are HUNGRY for protest art. And for ICE to get the hell out of our cities. We won’t give up.”
#ProtestQuilt #StandWithMinnesota #Craftivism
Totes stylish 🥦
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With this beauty on your arm, you’ll be TOTE-ally ready for your next adventure!
The pattern is only $5 over on our website – link in bio!
#PeppermintMarketTote #PeppermintPatterns #MeMade #ShoppingTotePattern #BagPattern
Wrap dress wardrobe malfunction? Not with the Peppermint Waratah Wrap Dress pattern!
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Secret pjs all day everyday!
How sweet is this version of our Samford Set pattern - created in collab with Lindsey of @SewToGrow 😍
From @Claire.Creates.Clothes:
🟤🟣🟢 Colour spot blocking pregnancy friendly set 🟢🟣🟤
I wanted some #secretpyjamas that I can wear on the couch when I’m pregnant and after for breastfeeding, with a top that I can wear out of the house. Welcome the #PeppermintSamfordSet
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Special thanks to Laura at @peppermintmagazine for sending me the Samford set instructions, you motivated me to put the buttons on before the baby actually arrives! 😁
Pattern: @PeppermintMagazine Samford set top
Size: F
Fabric: Linens
#PeppermintPatterns #PyjamasAllDay
