“Another Craft Fair?”
That’s right! During November/ December I attended 3: the Deloraine Craft Fair, Maker’s Nest in Hobart, (click links for those posts) and now Launceston’s “Tassie Makers and Creators Christmas Festival”. I’m writing them up in reverse order because, well, life is busy!
I don’t think I’ve been to so many Craft Fairs/Markets in the space of a month in my life!
I couldn’t miss the one in my home town, especially as I’d travelled for the others.
I feel like I should mention at this point that I’m not paid to go to, photograph or write about these, it’s just that I love handcrafts. I dabble in a few myself, having been taught by my grandmothers, and studied woodwork and metalwork in high school, as well as art. My current favourite is quilting.
I did go along to this expecting to feel a bit bored, after all the amazing crafts I had recently seen.
As is often the case, I was wrong!
This was a relatively small market (compared to the behemoth that is the Deloraine Craft Fair), at the Launceston Conference Centre. It was organised by Launceston’s very community-minded Christian Radio station: Way FM. (Not to be confused in any way with Canberra’s 1Way FM.) Consequently, the atmosphere was calm and friendly, many of the stall holders chatting to each other between customers.
Every Makers Market is different, even when some of the stall holders attend more than one. There were also different crafts. Tasmanians are clearly full of creativity! These were the highlights for me, which I ma sharing so that you can enjoy them too.
Fabric Crafts
There were many stalls offering fabric crafts: clothes, toys etc. One stall was selling adorable fabric platypii. (Multiple platypus) I had made similar platypii out of flannelette in 2014, for the many toddlers and babies in our family at that time, stitching their name on each one. I had made my own pattern, and I don’t remember why I decided on a platypus, perhaps because I wanted them to be unique/ memorable, and it’s an Australian animal. The parents of the recipients had no idea how many hours they took, but I hope they were loved. I very nearly took a photo to send them, captioning it “Look, someone is selling these now!”, but didn’t.
These were some of mine:
Why don’t I photograph the Fabric craft and other people’s Photos?
The main reason that I don’t take photos of others’ photography & fabric items is that it’s relatively simple for someone to reproduce it from a photo, and I know how hard it is to make the original. This is also why I almost always ask the stallholder if I can take photos and share them, apart from just being polite. Sometimes it’s not possible, eg the stallholder has too many customers to interrupt them, or they are on a break and I don’t find them later.
I like giving publicity to the amazing things I see – everyone should have an opportunity to share the fabulousness! If it gets the Maker more business: great! – but at the same time, I know there are plenty of people on the internet who would copy without any qualms. So: I am careful.
Photography
There were a couple of highly skilled photographers, effortlessly demonstrating to me the difference between the breathtaking professionalism of their photos and my amateurish attempts. Yet they were both encouraging to talk to.
Liam Preece Photography had some breathtaking artwork to hang as a focal point for any room. Hang a few and have a gallery. Some of them almost seemed 3D, as though you could reach through the frame and touch the landscape. Just amazing. Check out his website.
Jamie Mackrill of Culture of Creatives had photos as well as ceramic coasters, some with photos, and some with beautiful glazed patterns.
He was just delightful to talk to, and we chatted about his travels taking photos, some of which are of overseas landscapes. He recently started using a drone to take beautiful aerial photos of beaches, that make me want to jump in the water.
I’ve since discovered that his website includes interviews with creative people around the world successfully making a living from their work. If you like reading about real people’s experiences,(plus great photos to look at) have a look!
You Rock Fellas
One stall was held by a pair of very enterprising young brothers, with their dad reading a book nearby. They had made jewellery and items from polished stones. They also had some marketing skills! They politely called out to me until they had my attention, as I had glanced, probably nodded and raised my eyebrows in approval, and kept walking. Once I had stopped and said hello, they were quick to develop rapport, with the confidence of much older people, which was quite astonishing in a couple of boys probably still in Primary (Elementary) School. They asked me what my favourite colour was, then directed me to stones they thought might suit me. They were actually quite spot on, but I already have two stone necklaces (one is an obsidian arrowhead, which fans of “A Song of Ice and Fire” will appreciate) and I don’t change my jewellery often enough to need more. The boys are hoping to make enough sales to buy their own rock polisher and expand their business. You might like one of their creations.
These stone necklaces reminded me of Melissa Camilleri Anicich’s project where she made jewelery for her students, with encouraging words attached, and it became a business: Compliment Inc.
Plants as Pets
There were several stalls selling plants and plant paraphernalia. The most unusual of these were the Fuzzles! These are a small terrarium that grows into a ball of moss, carefully created by Angela Zuj of Witchwood.
There are multiple styles in two types: the open ones you can lavish with the love of watering. So much fun to watch the Fuzzle grow from your care.
The sealed units are their own ecosystem requiring no human intervention. Perfect for people who like to grow living things, but can’t remember to water them, and also for those who travel.
You can see more on Instagram @Witchwood2239a and Facebook
Repurposed Wine Bottles
I don’t drink wine but know plenty of people who do, so I found Flat Out Bottles to be functional, elegant and an excellent use of wine bottles. The designs are pressed into the heated glass using a mould. What a great recycling idea and beautiful, practical gift at the same time!
Goat Milk Soap
I have sensitive skin and a love of animals and cuteness, so Catherine’s Goat Milk Soap was one of my favourites.
I bought a cute sheep soap, but it’s too adorable to use, so I can’t yet tell you how marvellous it is on my skin. You can email Catherine at powerofme@live.com.au.
Macrame
I’ve seen a lot of macrame in the last year or so. It seems to have made a comeback, after hibernating since the 1980’s. At most stalls I have seen rainbows. This stall had things which are different.
El Macrame is two sisters creating beautiful macrame. They started macrame to decorate their home, and then had to find something to do with all the things they were creating. Now we get to see (and own) their meticulously created artwork.
Laser Engraved Wood
This was a popular genre this year, with stalls at all the Makers events I went to.
In Launceston, Sharee Brown’s “Laser Stuff Tasmania” has some beautiful laser-burned art on functional wooden pieces. These photos are just a small selection. You can email her at shareemelinda@gmail.com
Next?
I don’t expect that I will go to any more Maker’s Markets in the near future. I had been waiting to go to the Deloraine Craft Fair, as a special thing I had loved many years ago, where I bought unique items I still use. Makers Nest (Hobart) and the Launceston Makers and Creators Festival were bonuses! What wonderful bonuses they were too.
Then again, by the time I see the next one advertised, I will probably think: “Ooh! Gotta go to that!”
If you enjoy handcrafts, I hope that you can find a Market near you to (safely) attend. If not, there are the links in these posts to check out.
I’d love to hear about about your favourite craft in the comments.