To market, to market...

Been awhile since my last posting - apologies but I got a private design job - yay! - with a tight deadline - boo! - all done and dusted so back to the meaty stuff...

Can you tell I like markets yet? My mate A clued me on on another goodie, the North Melbourne Market a couple of weeks ago and had to share some cool finds with you (thanks A!). The wonderful Thread Den peeps put it on and there is plenty of crafty goodness and vintage treasures to be discovered at the Lithuanian Club on Errol Street (quirky venue too). There are a couple more dates this year - check it out!

love rosie clarke

Sweet tea cosy - Love Rosie Clarke

I fell in love with Rosie's cute creations and have ordered some custom-coloured crochet bangles to be picked up at the October event (I will be there Rosie!). How sweet is the pineapple? Such a shame my blurry pic does it no justice. Rosie's website is in the works but in the meantime she will be at the next North Melbourne Market day!

Cool Pineapple! Crap photography!

Lavallier

These porcelain creations are just stunning, could not walk away without my own pretty porcelain bangle with the stunning red design you can just make out on the pendant in the pic- love! (I seem to be getting rather girly in my older years...)

Lavallier Pendant

All these items are handmade in Melbourne and can be purchased on their website, they are also developing some lovely homewares and candle holders which I'll be checking out at the next market fosho...


ena designs

I was bummed I did not have enough cash on me (was nearing the end of my sojourn) to get one of these sweater tops for the boys, how cool are they? It's OK though cause the fab thing is that ena designs are available at The Olive Grove, a shop that just happens to be at the end of my street ;)

ens designs funky clothes for kiddies

Not only they are the designs uber-cool, they are very feel-good products - sweat shop free, low impact, envro friendly and locally produced - what more could you ask for? You can grab ena design's wares at The Olive Grove or at the next market - yay!

Too cool for school

two layers of cells

These are some groovy lamps (yes lamps again, I know but I can't help it ;)

Lamps by two layers of cells

two layers of cells are a Melbourne company doing some fun stuff with lamps, I love the falling man design below...

The best thing about these lamps is you can get a 'Draw your Own' kit, great for kid's who are into decorating their rooms their way (and let's face it, I don't know a kid who wouldn't want to) great pressie for the budding artist and they are available online - score!

Sisters' Market day

Why have I not gone to one of these earlier??? Sisters' Market runs every 2 months from Brunswick Town Hall (also sometimes in St Kilda) and I finally got to one of them thanks to a tip-off from A - thanks A! Had seen them advertised periodically but never found out what they were - so glad I made it last Saturday!

The market consists of local designers and manufacturers selling their crafty goodness. Everything from retro lamps, funky jewellery to cool kids threads and yum aromatherapy candles. I only had an hour to get around this one (not to mention a strained wallet) which was a bummer - next time I come for a good long while and money to spend!

Some of my faves:

Retro Print Revival

Retro Print Revival's stall at Sisters' Market

Tamara Watts finds all those funky ceramic retro lamps everyone is coveting and pairs them up with these great original prints on her custom-made lampshades. How fab is this butterfly/bronze one? Wish I had a spot for it in my tiny house...

love love love!

 zee&me

zee&me's cute stall at Sisters' Market

Such cute prints on these tees for kids! And awesome designs for boys. So often I find all the best kid's clothes out there are for girls, boys get stuck with the 'Monster' ones so I was chuffed to see the gorgeous threads for boys by Rosemaree Russo and Melissa Serratore, local girls who have been doin what they do for a year now. And the feelgood factor is there too with all product sourced ethically and no cheap labour used. Bonus!

How cool is this Whale design for boys, too cute

Maxymoo Designs

Just loved these little canvases from Maxymoo, so perfect for little people's rooms, I could not buy any as I would have had to have them all and made an awesome collage on the wall of the boys' room. Actually, now I'm thinking...

Fab canvases from Maxymoo

Tracey Hanson has been hand-painting these little canvases for 5 years, and she also has two small boys (although they prob aren't so small now). As she explains on her site, because little people's worlds are already so busy, she wanted to design kid's art that goes back to the fundamentals, strong colour with bold graphics - and it works!

The Maxymoo stall, Sisters' Market

Wood hangings by Maxymoo

cherry stew

This one is mine!

I loved Madeleine Somers work, I so nearly bought this purple pic but just had no cashola (sorry Madeleine!) plus these are all very limited edition, she mentioned this was the last of the gorgeous purple linen she used - hope I can grab it at your next market! (hmm maybe I'll email you...)

cherry stew at Sisters' Market

Madeleine is a Melbourne girl who makes this fab clothing, quilts, cushions and accessories all with sweet prints and lsuh fabrics, I have a thing about bare trees so just love these designs - will definitely be back!

So sweet! Dress by cherry stew

So many more great stalls here, too many to mention and the fact that I had limited time meant a bit of rushing on my part - poo! But never fear, I shall return! (And just in time for xmas pressies people...)

PS the Bretzels were tasty too!