Buy Blak This NAIDOC Week at the Melbourne Finders Keepers Market

above THE FINDERS KEEPERS MELBOURNE AW22 BY SAMEE LAPHAM

Melbourne friends, are you feeling the winter chill? Rug up and get down to The Finders Keepers market this weekend to enjoy the warm fuzzies that come from supporting small businesses! 

Over 270 makers will be filling the majestic Royal Exhibition Building in Carlton Gardens from Friday 7 July until Sunday 9 July. Tickets are on sale now (just $6) and when you buy a ticket, you’ll go in the running to win one of five subscriptions to Peppermint! Head to the link here for all the details. 

As the proud media partner of Finders Keepers, you’ll spot lots of Peppermint goodness all over the place. Head to the Read and Refresh Lounge to add a free back issue to your market tote or look out for us as you shop with a selection of debut stallholders: they’ll have copies of our latest issue to give to their first five customers. And, while the ceiling of the Royal Exhibition Building is a sight to behold, don’t forget to look down – you might see one of our fun flower decals that link you straight to our beloved sewing patterns! 

above THE FINDERS KEEPERS MELBOURNE AW22 BY SAMEE LAPHAM

Of course, this weekend also sees celebrations continue for NAIDOC Week and the market will feature some amazing First Nations talent. Finders Keepers has once again partnered with Aboriginal Melbourne and the City of Melbourne for the 2023 Indigenous Designer Lineup – supporting a range of First Nations businesses with a fully funded stall space. Check out the incredible lineup of makers here to plan your wishlist! 

We were lucky enough to catch up with a couple of the amazing makers from the Indigenous lineup – read on to meet the creatives behind Amber Days and Kenita.Lee.

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AMBER DAYS

Tell us a bit about what you make…

I’m an Aboriginal designer, nature protector, campaigner, mother and founder of ethical children’s wear label, Amber Days.

Amber Days is a 100% Aboriginal-owned children’s wear label inspired by the Australian bush, desert and sea. With the aim of having a minimal environmental impact and creating positive change in the fashion industry by supporting ethical manufacturers and fabric suppliers, Amber Days collaborates with a different female Aboriginal artist for each collection, to share stories through art – continuing culture as we have done for tens of thousands of years.

Why do you love The Finders Keepers?

Finders Keepers is one of my favourite weekends of the year. I love being among so many creatives and meeting my customers face-to-face. One of my fave parts now is the Aboriginal business space; it just feels like a huge get-together with community. 

Personally, I create a list of things over the year that I need and then shop at the Finders Keepers Market. I love purchasing from small businesses that are sustainable and ethical and what better way than to buy directly from the maker? 

It just feels like a huge get-together with community.

What can market-goers look forward to when they visit you at the Melbourne market?

We love being able to share the stories of our artwork with everyone and talk about the importance of taking care of Country and why that is important to us and the way we produce our clothing. To us, this means using organic fabric, printing with non-toxic dyes and also being plastic-free with our packaging and the way we live. We are also really excited to release a new baby tee and onesie at the market!

Why is the creative community so special?

The creative community is so special for so many reasons. It makes space to do things differently. It makes space to create a business for purpose, to tell a story through fashion and to celebrate. It’s just a joyous, inspiring space to be in. 

KENITA.LEE

Tell us a bit about what you make…

I am a proud Wemba Wemba, Wiradjuri, Wotjiboluk, Nari Nari and Boon Wurrung woman living on the stolen lands of the Wemba Wemba people. I’m a creative artist, making prints, blankets and picnic rugs from my art. 

Creating for me has always been my way to express emotions, experiences, healing and self-care. As an adult, I began expressing myself through various creative practices, including dance and weaving.

Keeping our traditions alive is so important to me. My pembemgguk (children) are growing up strong within their identity and culture, surrounded by art, culture and community. I like to paint in mostly vibrant colours to express myself but turn to a natural palette through different seasons in my life.

It’s so supportive, no matter where we come from.

Why do you love The Finders Keepers?

Finders Keepers is such an exciting event; I love that First Nations peoples are represented! 

Why is the creative community so special?

It’s so supportive, no matter where we come from, I love that about it!

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.