Nothing heralds the coming of sunny spring days quite like some fresh retail therapy, especially when you’re supporting local artisans and mindful makers at Finders Keepers. The massive design and art market returns this year with more than 200 stalls from local and indie artists from around the country selling everything from slow fashion to homewares at the three-day Brisbane event.
You can expect to see some emerging designers returning to the spring edition of the markets, like skincare and wellbeing specialists Eunoia Soul Rituals and Brisbane ceramicists Paxxy&Flora, who specialise in intricate patterns and smooth glazing. New kids on the shopping block including Indigenous designers Flying Fox Fabrics, who are all about ethical hand-made textiles, and Chaboo, who are a collective of Aboriginal women making hand-painted wooden bowls, plates, trays and murals (also the recipients of Finders Keepers' Indigenous Program).
Some stallholders will be travelling interstate for the arty weekend of fun, like Melbourne’s Nelson Made, who are bringing funky heels and slides to the market mix, and bed linen bosses Mosey Me. And if you’re after some sweet smells this spring, grab a few waxy wonders from Drift Trading Co, more crafty candles from Ivy & Wood and delish all-natural body scrubs and ointments by Scrubba Body.
When it’s time to recharge, the food and drink vendors will have your back. Find little parcels of savoury happiness all the way from Argentina at Pipi Cucu Empanadas, or feast on fresh fruits, nuts, healthy grains and açaí mixtures all nestled in a fresh pineapple shell from healthy snack perveyour Tatty's Superfoods. You can get a caffeine boost from Pull’n Shots Coffee and find a gluten-free, vegan-friendly fried sugar hit in the form of (almost) healthy doughnuts from Gfreedonuts. There's also live music to accompany your meals the entire weekend.
Finders Keepers takes place in the Marquee at the Brisbane Showgrounds, and entry is just $5 (free for kidlets under 12). The event kicks off on Friday, November 8 at midday, running into late-night shopping till 9pm, then returns on the 9th and 10th from 9am-5pm.