The Finders Keepers Market

Finding inspiration at The Finders Keepers Market...

I had been really excited to go to The Finders Keepers Market in Melbourne they are only on twice a year and have some really special products. On the down side because the stalls are expensive and the selection process tough there a not a lot of bargains to be had but what is on sale is new and inspiring (mostly).
Some of my favourite find was a swimwear label called Siren Swimwear http://www.sirensswimwear.com/ which sell swimwear which is inspired from the 1950's and 60's. I loved the bathers but the prices were high and my post baby body wasn't going to fit to them. There was lots of great cloths on sale but I failed to see any clothes that went above size 18 and even that was thin on the ground (pardon the pun). Why oh why in a world with so many fatties (I include myself here) is there still so little interesting clothes on sale for us?
But I digress I found some really lovely ceramic Christmas decorations on sale from Paper Boat Press http://paperboatpress.com/.
I loved these as they feel special and unique which is some thing I look for from a product at a market. I know that they will make a

special gift this Christmas, my only disappointment was that I didn't get more as it will be hard to choice who to give them to. I always find it easier to justify spending money when it is for gifts or practical use, even though I am an artist/designer and understand the time and effort gone into making these beautiful teams I often really struggle with parting with my money perhaps because I am tight arse or because I am thrift...

One item I am always keep to get is cards because they are low cost so even when I am really watching my pennies i can still get a few, from markets they are often a bit more special, I like to have a good collection on hand so I can be one of those smug people who send out a card when its your birthday, you have a baby or something else wonderful happens I have also know to be a real suck and send a friend a card when I know life is a bit shitty just to cheer them up. So yesterday when I ran into friend who has set up a stationary company called Poppies For Grace http://www.poppiesforgrace.com/ I

picked up a few cards to add to my stash. But walking through the market i was a bit overwhelmed by all these clever, creative, brave folks putting themselves and there idea out there for people to either delight in or reject. And I thought I should stop being a gonna and start being a do-a so I am going to commit to design and produce a range of product that could be sold at a craft market after all that is what I studied for before I forgot my dreams to be practical and become a teacher so as they say watch this space. Why should it be other people but not me? I have loads or great ideas and what separates those people from me? They dared to take a chance and I get too scared of it not working that I don't take the chance. This is a longer term goal, I have lots of things I want to explore but the vision is there I am in the words of Big Kev (who remembers Big Kev?) I'm excited.