Tag Archives: Canberra markets

Shop early. Shop local.

Ever had this feeling? This year, shop early, shop local, shop Canberra Christmas markets.

If Santa has a mega tip for all of us, it’s to avoid stress this holiday season by getting your Christmas shopping done and dusted early. And in Canberra, there’s no shortage of opportunities to do just that with several Christmas markets rolling out this coming weekend—two of the biggest close to one another at Exhibition Park in Canberra (EPIC) with both offering plenty of opportunity to buy local and handmade (also free entry and free parking).

The Handmade Market, an institution and now in its tenth year, has more than 150 stalls, including many Canberra artisans and local designers. Interstate stallholders are only permitted at the market if what they sell is Australian made. This special Christmas Market, held 7 to 9 December, is on at the Budawang and Coorong Buildings at EPIC. Stallholders sell a wide range of quality products, including artwork, jewellery, fashion, crafts and items that celebrate this special time of year. Yummy food to enjoy during the holidays is also on hand.

Elegant Elves will be at the Canberra Christmas Market with unique wreathes, stockings and other fabulous Christmas decorations and gifts.

Also at EPIC is the Canberra Christmas Market, with more than 1,750 square metres of shopping, including Christmas decorations and gifts, artisan products, pressies for pets and festive food goodies, including gingerbread houses, cookies, cakes and puddings. Marketgoers will also find gifts that are perfect for stocking stuffers and other products sure to put a smile on your face. The market, which also runs the Canberra Fashion Market, Three Sixty Market and the Canberra Kids Market has been going strong for five years. It’s on at the Fitzroy Pavilion at EPIC from 8 to 9 December.

The little ones in your life will look gorgeous in the outfits created with love by Handmade by Charley.

The Bus Depot Markets has festive items at all weekend markets from now until Santa arrives. It’s every Saturday and Sunday before Christmas.

Have a laff in the loo with toilet paper covers celebrating Santa’s arrival, available at the Canberra Christmas Market.

We vote a mighty big YES for shopping local, to support our local economy and support local makers who pour their hearts and souls into creating gorgeous items. We also vote a mighty big YES for avoiding the chaos that starts to build the minute the calendar hits 1 December. And we vote a mighty big YES for heading to one-stop shopping opportunities that have all your Christmas needs covered.

Happy shopping everyone. And happy holidays.

Think pre-loved

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Pela’Studio will sell a gorgeous range of hats by Mich Dulce

Some people shudder at the thought of shopping at second-hand markets or in op shops. They truly do shudder.

If you fall into that category, consider a shift in the way you think. Instead of ‘second hand’, think ‘pre-loved’ and see markets as an opportunity to explore, have a bit of fun and be part of the circular economy.

Cathie Wall, who runs several markets under the ‘Canberra Markets’ banner, says it’s amazing what quality items and big brand labels pop up, including Coach, Kate Spade, Anne Klein, MIMCO, Gucci and more.

‘We regularly see high fashion, and some new items even have the original tags attached to them,’ says Cathie. ‘Many stallholders focus on selling new or quality pre-loved pieces they no longer want or wear because they’ve changed shape, style of lifestyle. It’s not about getting rid of junk.

Tomorrow, the 360 Fashion Market is a chance to see what you can uncover.

Dinu Bodiciu hats have been worn by Lady Gaga. Visit Pela’Studio for a selection

Pela’Studio will be at 360 selling new hats perfect for racing season, and at great prices. Pieces designed by two well-known milliners will be for sale, including Mich Dulce whose creations have been worn by Lady Gaga and Georgia May Jagger. Each is made from ethical Philippine raw materials with traditional European millinery techniques. Pela’Studio will also sell pieces by milliner Dinu Bodiciu. Bodiciu, from Singapore, who is listed along the top milliners in the world. Pela’Studio will also sell super stylish shoes from the likes of T&F Slack Shoemakers from London and WXY from Taiwan.

‘Some stallholders are one-time sellers at our markets,’ says Cathie. ‘They’ve decluttered and are selling fashion items to make a bit of money. Others sell as a regular hobby and some sell clothing, jewellery, shoes, bags and accessories for a living.’

Chic to Chic Boutique with a chic jacket

While many stallholders are from Canberra, others come from interstate, including Chic to Chic Boutique from Albury, who returns to the 360 Fashion Market for the second time with some super stylish pieces across many styles.

For the first time, Canberra’s That Old Dog will be at the market, having sniffed out some quality high-fashion men’s wear that doesn’t cost the Earth, including brands like Ralph Lauren and Dolce and Gabbana.

That Old Dog sniffs out the good stuff

360 Fashion Market always has great retro and vintage fashion for men and women. Ducky Shincracker returns with fabulous finds. Recycology returns with amazing vintage, all carefully curated. Romance Revisited has a stall for the first time.

360 Fashion Market is on this Sunday, 10 am to 3pm, The Fitters Workshop, Kingston. Free entry. Plenty of parking.

Other pre-loved markets operated by Cathie include the Canberra Fashion Market (24 Nov) and the Canberra Kids Market (17 Nov).

It’s in the Bag!

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… with Kerri-Anne Anderson—by Aine Dowling

The Three Sixty Fashion Market is an explosion of treasure—it’s like the genie popped out of the bottle and showered the building with a blaze of colour and design—from op-shop to vintage and exclusive designer fashion right through to gorgeous delicate jewellery and accessories. At their last market we caught up with the lovely Kerri-Anne Anderson who makes a gorgeous range of bags, totes, purses, clutches and wallets—sustainable, ethical, and what’s more, all made and designed in Canberra.

Kerri-Anne totes will fit your tablet, iPad or Kindle with room to spare

The bags are made from scraps and off-cuts that Kerri-Anne has collected over the years, though some new material does appear from time-to-time. The quality of the bags is amazing and all the bags are unique—one of a kind, so you’re getting something really individual. So what does it take to make these lovely items?

Kerri-Anne shoulder/crossbody bags

“The average bag takes about five or six hours to cut,” says Kerri-Anne, “plus about another 15 to 20 hours on top of that as the bags are made as a single design from three different colours. I also make bags to order as well as fulfilling requests for different straps or extra pockets. My bags are one of a kind so no two are the same.

“I’ve always loved handbags and since learning to sew they’ve been my favourite item to make. I studied Fashion Design and Production in Melbourne and the course taught me all the skills I needed to take handbag from design to the finished product, but it’s difficult to get a job in the industry so I decided to make my own handbag label instead. I enjoy the challenge of mixing fashion, functionality, and useability.”

Kerri-Anne clutch bags

Kerri-Anne’s bags range from brightly coloured and pattern mixes, to very trendy (and corporate) monochrome, and serviceable denim, with a terrific men’s/unisex range. “I originally started out making bags that I would personally use, but have since branched out in both theme and colour palette. I guess my target market is anyone who enjoys stylish fashion and likes to match their bags, or even make a statement that allows them to stand out.”

You can find Kerri-Anne at the Three Sixty Fashion Market (next market is 22 November), and on Facebook, Etsy, and Instagram.

They do say a handbag reflects your personality, so check out Kerri-Anne’s designs—you’ll find one just for you!

A Final Stroll down Portobello Road

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