Finders Keepers This Weekend

Burn the calendar and ready your tote bags, the spring/summer edition of The Finders Keepers markets is going down this weekend. And you’re going to need the full three days to get through it all.

Australia’s longest-running arts and design market has been representing the artisan wares scene for ten years now. And judging by the year on year expansion, they’re representing it pretty bloody well.

Besides seeking to “encourage creativity, to connect, inspire and empower the creative community”, Finder Keepers is like Burning Man for market-goer’s. The massive three-day event will showcase over 250 independent art and design stalls, complemented with a barrage of live music (Bridget Hustwaite, Amarina Waters, BATTS, Jim Lawrie etc.) and lively food options (Lao Taco Co, Miss Fleur, Nem N’ Nem Food Truck, PachaManca etc.).

If you’re a natural peruse’r with a keen eye for design and you’re down to rummage, Finders Keepers is right up your artisan alley.

We’ve looked through the Finders Keepers’ line-up and picked a few favourites from what is Australia’s biggest artisan markets:

Heyy Dream Swim

Psychedelic swimwear designed and created by Tanayah and Lauren – a couple of creative besties based in Geelong. Think polka dotted one pieces, zebra and croc boob prints, trip-inspired patterns and illustrations that toe the line of cute and arty.

Soap Club

Guilt-free soap. I know what you’re thinking – we’re supposed to feel guilty about scrubbing, now? Well these soaps contain no synthetic detergents, no PEG, no artificial fragrances, no formaldehyde releasing preservatives, no parabens or petroleum derived ingredients. And maybe most importantly, they are palm oil free.

Re-sawn

Due to the nature of the materials, each of these recycled timber creations are unique. Check out the Tigris Hanging Planter.

The Club of Odd Volumes

In addition to being a outlet for artists to slap their art on homewares, The Club of Odd Volumes are quite the bedding-smiths. To say the doona and pillow covers in their Club bedding range are vibrant is an understatement.

Finders Keepers runs from October 20-22 at The Royal Exhibition Building, 9 Nicholson Street, Carlton.

words by niall roeder.