Sydney's The Finders Keepers market June 2013 - my favourites

My friend Anni and I spent a wonderful afternoon wandering around the Sydney The Finders Keepers market today. I caught up with lots of old friends and made a few new ones. There was a fangirl moment with Emily Green, some snatched hugs from QLD friends and I made some great new discoveries too.

The new venue at Australian Technology Park was perfect - a hip industrial-chic setting with plenty of room between stands. There was the requisite be-bearded musician on stage, food trucks, potted fir trees, and a serious amount of talented, creative people selling their wares.

I fell head-over-heels in love with everything in the Beattie Lanser-for-Harvest Textiles collaboration (and in fact anything at all from Harvest Textiles). The melted icecream jumpsuit had my name written all over it. One day...

Then there was the just-like-a-string-of-marshmallows necklace by BOXY that looked good enough to eat...

Emily Green's new polymer clay egg-shaped drop earrings are hot, hot hot. I'd never be able to pick just one...

And I loved everything from new-comers Fable Baby and Super Trooper Studio. In fact, they were so amazing that I'm going to dedicate posts to each of them. Watch this space!

Minyaka Design Winter 2012 Collection

I'm starting to dream of warm, cosy nights by the fire (if we had one), autumn colours, wool, flannel and sheepskin, and of course hot chocolate. Doesn't this lovely collection by Bondville sponsor Minyaka Design for Winter 2012 fit the bill! These clothes for kids age 1 to 4 are stylish *and* warm - and that's not an easy brief.

These pieces in chocolate brown, grey and burgundy red are made from organic cotton, bamboo and hemp, ticking the sustainable textiles box. I can't resist those dandy suspender pants and the two-tone pinny dress.

The Minyaka Design newborn range has also expanded to include a gift set with organic cotton wrap top, mittens and socks - great for the eco-conscious new Mum.

The collection will be making its way to to the Minyaka Design online store soon. In the meantime, if you are keen to get your mitts on the new range, the Winter 2012 Collection will be launched next weekend at the Melbourne The Finders Keepers market:

Royal Exhibition Building

9 Nicolson Street, Carlton, VIC

Fri 20 April 2012, 6-10pm

Sat 21 April 2012, 10am-5pm

Entry is free

More info at www.thefinderskeeper.com 

Read more about Australian label Minyaka Design here on Bondville.

Images: Minyaka Design

Sir Tom accessories

Yes it's Father's Day just around the corner, but that doesn't mean you can't treat yourself too. Why not pick up an edgy-cool clutch just for you by Sydney indie accessories label Sir Tom.

The Sir Tom range of accessories and homewares includes limited edition clutch purses, medium purses, coin purses and cushion covers. The purses and cushions are made with original fabric designs reated by Sir Tom designer Anne using a combination of traditional screenprints and digital printing.

The fabric designs are quirky and head-turning. Jodie uses illustration and photography to create images of the things around her (many of them uniquely Australian - love the bottle brush and banksia designs). My favourite is the lemon and grey triangle deco clutch (top) whichI know will stand the test of time. And that cushion above showcasing waves crashing near Icebergs at Bondi is bang-on-the-money. I'm sure some of those surf-loving Fathers out there would approve too.

You'll also find designs for kids made by Jodie using vintage fabrics and original Sir Tom fabric designs (see dress above) at Sir Tom Baby.

Look for Sir Tom accessories and homewares in the Etsy store and keep up-to-date on designs via Facebook.

Images: Sir Tom

The Lowercase Bed Linen for kids

I had a lovely morning at The Finders Keepers market at the Carriageworks in Sydney this morning - finding beautiful products with my friend Jamie who has been visiting from the US, catching up with old friends (hi Alischa, Sarah and Kylie!) and being a fangirl, meeting some of my favourite artists (yes that's you Catherine and Cat!).

One product I had to share with you is the lovely bed linen for kids by Sydney husband-and-wife team The Lowercase. These guys have their finger on the button and create really interesting room decor and paper products products as well as distribute all manner of goodies including Heico lamps, Little Lamb freckle rugs and blabla cushions.

It's the bed linen that really caught my eye. It's original, interesting, cool, and great to touch with embroidery on 100% cotton. Designs include swans, foxes and tigers, making them great for both boys' and girls' rooms.

You can find The Lowercase bed linen and other goodies in the online store as well as at stockists across Australia and New Zealand.

Images: The Lowercase

Events: Brisbane Mathilda's Market and Finders Keepers

I had a great time at both the Brisbane Mathilda's Market and The Finders Keepers market, trawling for new designers, catching up with friends and checking out the gorgeous new wares on show. If only my SLR hadn't died and gone to camera-heaven this week. I'm sure you can use your imagination...
I started the day at Mathilda's Market at City Hall which was packed with familes, children, prams, babies in carriers and protruding tummies. Some special highlights:
* Seeing the incredible Momie et Enfant pieces for girls up-close. Divine! See the Bondville profile on Momie et Enfant here.
* Scoring a half price pettiskirt (don't tell Sophie, it's for Christmas)
* Drooling over new prints from Tsk Tsk.
* Admiring the gorgeous handcrafted threads and publishing designs from Kidiki from Kallangur, QLD.
* Loving the handmade soft toys from Honey Bunch Designs.
* Being bowled over by the exquisite quality of Suzy Allen's clothes and accessories for girls.

Then it was off to the first Brisbane The Finders Keepers market at the Old Museum - a fantastic venue full of character off-set by lovely gardens and live music/food. The crowd was cooler than cool, and the market buzzed with activity. I have to admit that I spent most of my time chatting to friends, behind their stalls, and it was great to hear that many had sold out of items. GREAT photos of the event on Mark Lobo's Facebook Album here. Some things that caught my eye:
* The incredible ceramic jewellery by my friend Kim Wallace. I knew that there was a line in the works, but was really excited to see Kim's vision realised in beautiful flat lace-impression pendants strung on string and chain. See the Bondville profile on Kim Wallace here.
* Mishy Lane's cool photographic calendars sold out completely by Sunday morning - hot property! See the Bondville profile on Mishy Lane here.
* Very sweet hand-embroidered tissue covers from Edward & Lily with the same cartoon animal styling that I covet in my Edward & Lily brooch.
* Lovely ceramic button magnets from Little Jane St to coordinate with the stationery line. See the Bondville profile on Little Jane St here.
* Frankie magazine Afternoon Tea books are back in stock (hooray!) so I stocked up for Christmas at the Frankie stand.
* My friends Danielle and Ellie are close to securing an outlet for their fabric/craft supply business Selvedge House in Brisbane, stocking many of my favourite Australian-designed textiles. Yay! More details coming soon.

I have a couple of other special things to show you from the markets this week. Stay tuned.