Weekend Aussie Handmade Markets

I’ve been announcing tons of US indie craft markets lately, but those of you Down Under have been sorely neglected. Here’s a roundup of some local weekend craft markets going on now. Most happen monthly. Watch for more later this week!
Eveleigh Markets’ Monthly Artisans’ Arts & Craft Market– first Sunday of each month, from 10:ooam to 4:00pm.

Eveleigh Market hosts an Artisans’ Art and Craft Market showcasing the very best individually designed local art, sculpture, design, ceramics, glass, craft and Indigenous artworks.

Kirribilli Art and Design Market – June 14, July 12, August 9, 9:00am to 3:00pm.

This makers’ market has a vibrant atmosphere. Artists, Craft Practitioners and Designers are all welcome to submit their work. Original Paintings, Glass, Ceramics, Fashion & Accessories, Homewares, Millinery and Fresh Flowers along with international food and great live music!

The Olive Tree Market – Saturday the 6th of June, 9:00am to3:00pm, ‘The Junction Public School’.

Over 80 regular stalls. showcase The market showcases Newcastle’s contemporary art, craft, design, photography, textiles, handmade toys and fashion directly from the artists. Local musicians play at each market and buskers are welcome to come and play on the day. Come along to the next market, find that unique gift, mingle amongst friends and artisans, drink good coffee, eat delicious food, buy organic bread and plants. Relax and watch the bustle of the markets go by…..

Cobbitty Craft Market – Saturday July 4th, 8:00am to 1:00pm. First Saturday of each month.

We are a craft market, with our stallholders selling a wide range of unusual and interesting hand-made goods, gifts and wares – from ceramics, woodwork, paintings and frames, to clothes and jewellery, unique furniture, gorgeous nick-knacks and trinkets, lovingly made soaps and body products, toys for the littlies, and a whole lot more – always something perfect for that special gift, important occasion, or just to spoil yourself, friends or family. We also sell a selection of gourmet fresh, baked, and carefully prepared foods and produce; and there are flowers, plants and seedlings as well.

As if Diwali weren’t colorful and fun enough, The Festival of Lights: A Lift-the-flap Diwali Celebration by Namita Moolani Mehra, illustrated by Darshika Varm, makes it even more fun to read about with flaps and things to lift and pull to see more information or details in the illustrations.

The book is a story about a family getting ready for Diwali and what happens on the different days of the five-day celebration. There’s cleaning, shopping, crafting, food preparation and getting the home altar ready for the big day.

It covers decorating the outside of the house with rangoli, diyas and lanterns, buying sweets to share with family and friends, the sights and scents of the mandir (home temple), getting dressed up in new fancy clothes, the story of Diwali and celebrations with relatives.

Flaps (there are more than 140 in all) give you vocabulary words for different foods and definitions, as well as fun things like what’s inside the shopping basket or where the cat is hanging out. They also help illuminate the story of Diwali, which is the triumph of good over evil as Lord Ram defeated the demon Ravana to save his wife, Sita.

This pretty and colorful book helps kids understand what Diwali is and how it is celebrated, regardless of whether they practice it at home. This would be a nice book to keep in a classroom (it’s rated for kids ages 3-7) or to have at home to teach kids about Diwali even if it’s not something you celebrate. Where I live there are a lot of people from India so we are probably exposed to Diwali more than some other regions of America, but it’s a nice holiday to know about wherever you live.

Combine with the book Diwali and check out some fun lantern crafts and printables for kids to round out your experience.

About the book: 24 pages, hardcover, published 2025 by Wide Eyed Editions. Suggested retail prices $22.99.

Have you read?