Overview
Independent art and design festival Finders Keepers is back for another season. The twice-yearly fair is a calendar staple for those on the hunt for unique, quality wares. Plus, there's an added bonus: the market supports local and emerging artists. This year, the Melbourne event will run from Friday, October 19 to Sunday, October 21, and oh boy, is the lineup looking good.
With 270-plus vendors planning to set up shop in The Royal Exhibition Building, we wouldn't blame you for getting overwhelmed by all the choices. Rather than letting you walk around aimlessly, we have narrowed down the list to give you our top five favourite stalls. Make a beeline to these vendors to discover a bevy of bold, quirky and, in one case, tasty finds. And then you're free to explore the rest — truthfully, they're all stellar.
Samee Lapham.
GARDENING: THE LITTLE VEGGIE PATCH CO.
If you fancy yourself someone with a green thumb, or you would if you had the space, go and have a chat to the team at The Little Veggie Patch Co. Aiming to help budding gardeners, regardless of their living situations, the business created 'instant gardens', made to order from recycled fruit crates, which can easily fit into the pokiest of apartments. Design your own patch from the extensive range of heirloom seeds, including basil, beetroot, parsley and peas — or pick up one of the seasonal starter kits. There's also gardening tools, books and planting calendar posters if you need a little extra guidance. Think how much better dinner will taste when you use produce you grew yourself.
Samee Lapham.
QUIRKY JEWELLERY: CHLOE MCCOLL JEWELLERY
If your favourite part of visiting a local artisanal market is picking up pieces that are completely unique, Chloe McColl Jewellery will fit the brief. This range of jewellery takes inspiration from the label's home on the Mornington Peninsula coast, and each piece is handcrafted, meaning they all have their own individual touches and organic quality to them. Stop by the stall to find rings, earrings, cuffs and necklaces punctuated with ocean-toned gemstone clusters and textured gold and silver metal.
Mark Lobo.
SNAZZY ACCESSORIES: PEGGY AND FIN
Crazy things happen to our social calendars when spring kicks off: engagements, weddings, garden parties and even more weddings. Basically, the warm weather signals the arrival of occasions in which you're expected to don the glad-rags and, for most, it's inconceivable to buy an entirely new outfit every time. If we've learned anything from Tan on Queer Eye (aside from the 'French tuck'), accessorising is the secret, and this is where Peggy and Fin come in. The creative duo behind the brand creates cufflinks and wooden bow ties made from recycled timber, plus an extensive selection of fabric ties and pocket squares that'll help spruce up any spring wardrobe.
FUEL: GRANDMA'S GIRL
Shopping can be tough work and, given the monumental size of the markets, you'll definitely need to refuel at some point. When the tummy grumbles get a little too much, head to Grandma's Girl for a hearty feast that'll put the pep back in your step. We're talking cheesy, potato-filled pierogies doused in butter. These tasty little morsels are a twist on the traditional Eastern European delicacy with dashes of unexpected ingredients — think pine nuts, marinated feta and even figs. You'll be tempted to return for round two.
KITCHEN NEEDS: LITTLE BUMBLE
Living sustainably can be tricky: on one hand, you don't want to waste leftover food, but on the other, you're conscious of how much plastic pollution is created in doing so. Enter Little Bumble. This Gippsland-based brand sells beeswax food wraps, a great reusable replacement for the old cling film dispenser. The all-natural wraps are handcrafted using cotton, organic Australian beeswax, coconut and jojoba oils and pine resin. They're available in a variety of sizes and arty designs (so your fridge will look better as well) and can be washed and reused for up to 12 months. After that, you can order a top-up pack or make your own using Little Bumble's DIY kit.
For more information about the Melbourne Spring/Summer 2018 Finders Keepers market and for the full list of vendors, head to the website.
Top image: Samee Lapham.