lovely thing makers

2010-02-17T18:46:00.003+10:00

well it could be a bit belated for well wishes for the new year, but really we're just in time for the beginning of the year of the tiger. perhaps we'll all be especially crafty this year - who knows? i hope so... we've got lots of regular stallholders and some new faces too for our first market of the year which will be on friday february 26 from 5.30-8pm out the back of the avid reader bookstore.

the little market at avid is back again for 2010, into our fourth year (which we're quite excited about!). and it looks as if perhaps this will be the year that the little market finally blooms with the whisper of markets inspired into being in new locations. but we'll keep you well posted on this front.

if you're not already on our mailing list and you'd like to keep updated send us an email at thelittlemarketatavid@gmail.com. we're also on facebook as Lovely Thing Makers if you'd like to befriend us or join our Little Market at Avid group.

full steam festivities

2009-12-15T00:20:00.003+10:00

well it's hot and steamy and us crafters have been crafting away in front of the fan and late into the cool of the night. our last little market for 2009 is nearly upon us and promises to be as lovely as our christmas markets always are - we have a few new stallholders joining us with their wares - liz izquerido with her ceramics, judy collins-haynes with the skirts she is making with a collective of migrant women, and angie andrews with her jewelry - and many returning regulars with everything from re-fashioned clothing, funky toys, functional homewares and other assorted oddments. there will be something for (just about) everyone at the markets, as well as a great opportunity for all of us to be transforming our consumer habits into ones that are much more sustainable - for people and the planet. see you friday evening from 5-8pm~

it's getting festive at the little market...

2009-11-30T22:51:00.004+10:00

Join us for the second last Little Market for 2009. There will be some new stallholders and some old with fabulous handmade trinkets and treasures for Christmas season gifts including felted creations, recycled, upcycled clothing, toys and homewares, organic skincare, jewelry, kids clothes and toys and hopefully a few suprises too. Drop into the Little Market this coming Friday evening, bring your friends, enjoy a glass of wine and get all your ethically produced handmade gifts - at one place!

October Little Market

2009-10-25T13:13:00.003+10:00

spritely spring markets

2009-09-22T21:23:00.003+10:00

Ahh... the Little Market swings around again and we're still excited about it, even after almost three years! And I've been thinking that while we do recognise that we are in the midst of a craft revolution and there are lots of happenings with crafting going on that just weren't before, I am still suprised that more people have not set up there own little markets. You know, markets that aren't about having to get up super early and make loads of cash and sell sell sell. Markets that can fit into a tiny space that's fortuitously available in the local area, that are about connecting with people and having a great night out and that create that 'otherness' I reckon we need way more of in our everyday - the dreaming of it into being. Anyhow - I reckon the Little Market is a lovely bit of otherness in the everyday, a celebration of crafting and creating and connecting and a few other nice things too... Hope to see you there x Rowena

August Little Market

2009-08-15T18:26:00.003+10:00

I looks like we are in the thick of the hand made revolution! And it doesn't look like stopping any time soon, or ever! As convenor of The little Market at Avid Reader I am lucky enough to regularly meet new makers and have a look at their wares. It is a great pleasure welcome those makers and their new and shared ideas to the Little Market family.
One of these new makers this year is Penny Bristol-Jones whose knitted toys feature on this months poster. Her infectious and effortless positivity show through in the personalities she gives her creations.
I hope to see you down at Avid Reader book shop on August 21 or any last Friday leading up to the silly season.

Cheers
Michael Swifte

Little Marketeers

2009-07-15T14:09:00.011+10:00

At our last little market we asked each of the talented stallholders to fill out a short questionnare about what they make and what inspires them. We'll endevour to update this with each new (or old) stallholder so stay tuned.

Penny Bristol-Jones - Noonoo and Friends

What's the first thing you remember making? (How old were you?)

Mud pies - 3

What do you make now?

Knitted toys, drawings, paintings

What's the favourite item you've made?

A long legged doll

Who'what inspires you?

Any women who have 'made it'

charpen1@bigpond.com

Angela Keele

What’s the first thing you remember making? (How old were you?)
Crotchet squares, 6 yrs old
What do you make now?
Felted hats, bags and more, beaded jewellery
What’s the favourite item you’ve made?
Al capone Hat
What’s your day job?
Credit Control Officer
andyappleknickerkeele@yahoo.com.au

Alexandra Westaway - Luna Bloom
What’s the first thing you remember making? (How old were you?)
Wonder woman outfit for my barbie! Age 7
What do you make now?
Natural body products, crystal window charms, astology charts
What’s the favourite item you’ve made?
Crystal dreamcatcher with malachite, lapis lazuli and silver feathers
Who/what inspires you?
My five year old daughter inspires me to see the beauty in the world and create with passion.
http://www.lunabloom.com/

Karen Molloy - Kidden Thiele
What’s the first thing you remember making? (How old were you?)
From about five years old I was making clothes for my Barbie with scraps of fabric from Mum’s sewing room.
What do you make now?
Anything that pops into my head, tote bags, adult clothes, children’s clothes, jewellery and homewares.
What’s the favourite item you’ve made?
Anchor bag, denim with red and white applique
Who/what inspires you?
I’m about to become an Aunty, so I am inspired to make children’s clothes. I have been pulling out the old Enid Bilchrist pattern books in preparation.
k_swifte@yahoo.com

Lynne Eisentrager - Twisted
What’s the first thing you remember making? (How old were you?)
Wrote a song using my toy piano - 8
What do you make now?
Jewellery using silver wire and beads.
What’s the favourite item you’ve made?
Choker with handmade silver wire beads, glass beads and jade ships
Favourite quote or song lyric: “If only they used their powers for niceness, instead of evil” Maxwell Smart
fishpaw@optusnet.com.au

Mandy Heritage
What’s the first thing you remember making? (How old were you?)
Bead necklace - 21
What do you make now?
Necklaces, bracelets etc
What’s the favourite item you’ve made?
A goldstone and azurite necklace
Who/what inspires you? Dalai Lama
mandyheritage@yahoo.com.au

Loni Mills - Lonstar
What’s the first thing you remember making? (How old were you?)
Around 6-7 I drew my teacher for a school paper. I included all her wrinkles (sorry Mrs Vaughn) What do you make now?
I paint, draw from life. I make books and cards.
What’s the favourite item you’ve made?
A wierd card
Favourite quote or song lyric:
Touch me with your naked hand
Touch me with your glove
And dance me to the end of Love – Leonard Cohen
lonimills@yahoo.com.au

Amanda Makepeace - MANDY-MOO
What’s the first thing you remember making? (How old were you?)
Mud-paint from dirt in the garden
What do you make now?
Pun-cards
What’s the favourite item you’ve made?
“You mooove me” sexy cow
Favourite quote or song lyric: Cows with guns
samandamail@optusnet.com

Rebecca Lewis - Little Brown Dog
What’s the first thing you remember making? (How old were you?)
A flamingo marionette from a pink sock, a tennis ball and I think the beak was from one of those plastic puppets you used to get at Pizza Hut with the kids meal deals. I must have been about 7 or 8 and I remember taking it to school for show and tell.
What do you make now?
All sorts, it really depends on what I feel like making when I wake up be it clothes, toys, cushion covers, slippers, whatever I find fits the fabric.
What’s the favourite item you’ve made?
It’s usually the last thing I made so my current favourite is a wrap skirt made from old woolen blankets with pockets in the shape of owls.
Favourite quote or song lyric: ‘it was as if the moon rising had said a single silver word: Peace’ Ray Bradbury
www.littlebrowndoggie.blogspot.com/

Rowena Shakes - Lillipilli
What’s the first thing you remember making? (How old were you?)
It was definitely cooking for me when I was younger - I didn't really get into other crafting til I was older and started making gifts for close friends...
What do you make now?
I make an odd assortment of things, mostly from fabric: organic wheat heat packs, kids pants and aprons, Steiner style felt toys, a bit of knitting if the urge takes me, recycled notebooks, quilts and some clothes from time to time, brooches and other oddments too...
What’s the favourite item you’ve made?
Most definitely the two quilts I've made for my daughter - one completely from recycled, vintage and found fabrics and the other from a blend of new and recycled. I tend to give away the things I make and love the most - sending them out into the world...
Who/what inspires you?

Well, not so surprisingly I’m incredibly inspired by crafting. Within our current society I see it very much as an act of social rebellion to reclaim our ability and interest in making what we need and use, a most important ingredient in the re-creating of the ecologically and socially sustainable world I want to be part of and part of bringing into being.

www.lillipilli.etsy.com

Brrrr! The Little midwinter Markets. Yay!

2009-06-18T17:43:00.003+10:00

A little market held on the cosy back deck of Avid Reader book shop in Brisbane's West End on the last Friday of each month. The market is put on by a loose collective of locals known as the Lovely Thing Makers.
Our stallholders have been really productive lately and we've had a lot of interest from prospective stallholders. So this months market will have plenty of fresh new creations. Possibly including hand made knickers!

The Little Market for May 09

2009-05-16T14:24:00.003+10:00

We are up to our third market for the year. This months market is looking really exciting. Some new makers are coming along so come and check us out on May 29.

This month the poster art is a resin and vintage kimono fabric pendant by Diana Maloney. I'm really enjoying being able to feature the creations of our excellent makers on our monthly posters.

My lovely sister Karen is coming along this month and I can't wait to see what she has made. I'm also looking forward to the creations inspired by visits to the Stitches and Craft show.

Michael

Second Little Market is nearly here.

2009-04-16T23:08:00.003+10:00

Hello Folks,

It's nearly time again. The second Little Market will soon be upon us.
There's been a few new ideas bouncing around about things we could do with the market (nothing too drastic). One idea I have is that we all get along to the Stitches and Craft Show and network like crazy!
We have a steady stream of new makers who are interested in coming down and checking out the market (my mum is one of them). It was good to see lots of fruity snacks on offer last time (thanks Rowena). I say keep the creative snacks coming!

Cheers

Michael

2009-03-14T16:00:00.002+10:00

I'm very much looking forward to a year of creative craftiness at The Little Market at Avid and I can't wait to see the new and lovely things that will be on offer. I think we are in very interesting times and my feeling is that people will appreciate handmade things more than ever.
I look froward to continuing Rowena's great work and hope to see our networks grow and our ideas and knowledge getting shared around.
I've attached the flyer for the next Little Market 27/3/09 along with the notes for stallholders document. The artwork on the flyer is the work of our own Becky Lewis. It would be nice to feature a different makers work each month. Let me know if you've any ideas.
Please remember to rsvp soon for this months market. So far we have 4 of the 11 places filled. I encourage you to visit our facebook identity Lovely Thing Makers or join our facebook group The Little Market at Avid. It woul be great to see lots of activity and info sharing there.
The next market is scheduled for Friday March 27 5.30-8pm

Cheers

Michael

christmas markets

2008-11-19T22:33:00.004+10:00

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!

2008-09-09T16:54:00.004+10:00

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

2008-08-21T08:54:00.002+10:00

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!

2008-07-15T12:53:00.000+10:00

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!

2008-06-26T14:44:00.000+10:00

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.

2008-06-18T07:52:00.000+10:00

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!

2008-05-23T11:40:00.000+10:00

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!

2008-04-03T14:49:00.000+10:00

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...

2008-01-10T23:27:00.001+10:00

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.