christmas markets

christmas markets seem to be a special thing. i don't know if people are just getting excited about the season, the opportunity to share with friends and family or something else, but they have a vibe of their very own. there are just two markets left for the year - friday november 28 and friday december 19 - and both promise to offer a full-house of stallholders and newly crafted wares. in any case, whether you are into celebrating christmas with ethically and locally handcrafted products or otherwise, it's a great way to end the year. a finale of sorts. it marks two years since we first established the little market at avid reader, and since then we have had almost twenty market evenings, all different and all wonderful in their own way. we would like to think that we have inspired crafters to get out of the living room, and shoppers to explore and buy locally made products. we hope you have enjoyed them if you've been coming along. and we also hope that if you would like to see more community projects like this, that you take the step towards being part of creating one in your own local area. happy crafting, and best wishes to you all for a great send off to the year.

spring markets galore!

well i don't know if you've heard about park(ing) day, but this year it's happening in brisbane in a big way. park(ing) day was established in san francisco to highlight both the lack of green space in the city and the amount of public space that is devoted to the motor car. on park(ing) day, we pay the meter, but instead of a car park, we create the kind of park we'd probably all like to see a bit more of. greenery, lounging space, creativity, community... the little market has decided to jump on board, and will be celebrating with other 'parker's' with some markets out the front of avid reader on september 19 from 4-8pm. there'll also be entertainment throughout the day, in the form of readings by avid's fiona, performance art, rickshaw rides and hopefully some live local music too... so, if you're out on the streets on friday september 19 at any time of day, you might like to celebrate park(ing) day with some games outside of the rumpus room, art appreciation outside of ugee's or being entertained and shopping it up with local craft out the front of avid. for more information, check out http://brisbaneparkingday.blogspot.com

we'll also be operating our usual monthly market out the back of avid on the last friday of the month - september 26 - from 5.30-8pm.

hope you can make it!

august at the little market

Yes, it is that time again nearly and we are all gearing up for an exciting night with more local artists and crafters. As each month passes I notice the character of the market grow just a little more. This month we will have some new stallholders who will bring their own flavour to the evening - along with some of the regulars who have enjoyed watching this community event evolve. It is so heartening as an artist to connect with others who have a such dedication to unique, hand made things, and to see the wider community coming together to appreciate and enjoy their efforts. On Friday the 29th of August do come along and meet the people behind the products, see what some of the creative community Brisbane really has to offer, enjoy some fantastic music and settle in with friends for a great night. We are starting at 5pm - in the courtyard out the back of Avid Reader Bookshop, 193 Boundary St West End Brisbane.

What a night!

Our June Market was our biggest yet and certainly was a hit!For a while we were nearly bursting at the seams, as the community poured in to the courtyard to support the many local artists and crafters. The music was once again most enjoyable - the kids especially enjoyed dancing. The July little market will be held on Friday July 25th and promise to be just as much fun.

Tomorrow is the night!

the little midwinter market is on tomorrow night at avid reader - the forecast is for clear skies for the next week so it is sure to be a lovely night spent with some lovely thing makers. The line up of stallholders is pretty exciting - Alex from Lunabloom with her delicious treats for the skin, Vicki from Violet Rose Designs and her gorgeous costume jewelery, Justine and her inspiring and beautiful upcycled creations, Rowena with an array of lovely things and myself (Michelle) from The Woolly Tree with yarn, felt and crocheted delights, to name just some! We will again have some very special musicians to entertain us out in the lush courtyard. We invite you to join us for the evening - meet the creators behind the creations, and enjoy a glass of wine with great company. 5:30pm onwards at Avid Reader Bookshop, 193 Boundary St West End.

the little midwinter market.

We are getting closer to that time again. And, because we canceled the May Market due to a dismal forecast of very heavy rain, this month's market should be buzzing! We are working on a wet weather venue (to be announced later) so rest assured the the little midwinter market will be on, rain, hail or (moon) shine. So put it in your diary, Friday 27th of June 5:30pm - 8pm at Avid Reader Bookshop, to come and see what lovely things we have been crafting for you.

off and rolling indeed!

Well we at the Little Market are very excited to be on the verge of our next market evening. It's the third market for this year and there has been lots of enthusiasm and creativity flying about. We have some fantastic new stalls - this month there will be plants and botanical creations, food, music, felted crafts, jewelry, organic skincare, upcycled creations and more. Come join us for a lovely evening...

2008 Little Markets are off and rolling!

On the 28th of March we kicked off The Little Market for 2008 with a fun and busy night despite the threatening rain. Below are some photos from the colourful night .

Yummy hand spun yarn and felt

A very cute customer!

lovely things

look good, feel good (and smell good too)

The next Little Market is on the 18th of April (not the 25th as it is a public holiday). Again we will have an eclectic bunch of crafters/artists selling their wares, perhaps some music and definitely lots of fun! Come along, have a glass of wine and support local people who make unique creations.

an intro...

Lovely Thing Makers is a loose collective of creatives who collaborate to bring the monthly handmade craft artist's market, the Little Market at Avid, into existence. You can find us on the last Friday of the month out the back of Avid Reader Bookstore from 5.30 - 8pm, with our handcrafted wares, live music and half decent wine...

Avid Reader can be found at 193 Boundary Street, West End, Brisbane. In between being a great venue for our monthly markets, Avid is a fantastic bookshop with a massive range of books, lovely folk & good coffee.