Viva Brisvegas: Markets

Brisbane has been coming over all crafty these last couple of months. Visitors (and locals) can expect to see statues and other permanent monuments around the city (think the Hopoate finger, light poles and other posts on bridges particularly the Goodwill Bridge) decked out in scarves, beanies and other knitted devices designed to keep our large metallic objects warm. The project is part of I Knit Brisbane, a community group of knitters, proudly wielding their knitting needles and balls of wool as they warm the world to knitting. The group has undertaken public knitting days in King George Square in order to bring knitting out of the aged care centres and direct to the masses.


I happened upon the knitters a few weeks ago at Brisbane's first set of brisStyle Indie Markets which is a community of Brisbane-dwelling, craft-minded folk who sell their wares on Etsy. And now they are bringing it to the streets. They sell amazing stuff, and they are having very regular twilight markets in the city's King George Square - upcoming dates: Friday July 30th, November 19th and December 17th from 5 to 9pm. There are also Mother & Child Markets and EcoMarkets at St Augustines Church in Hamilton. Definitely all worth a look.

Next up for Brisbane is the Finder's Keepers Markets, which will be on this weekend (i.e. 26th June) at the Old Brisbane Museum. It promises to be full of treasures, and it's the first time it has been to Brisbane (traditionally only on in Sydney and Melbourne). I think the growth of these types of markets is not only testament to the new trend towards home-made and recycled (i.e. pre-loved/vintage/second hand) as we continue to embrace eco-awareness and GFC-enforced purse-string tightening, but also testament to the growth we are seeing in Brisbane towards community-based events and activities. King George Square has moved leaps and bounds in terms of its use as a community facility since its renovation was unveiled late last year (to much criticism). Whether it is architecturally brilliant or not, it's a great space and it is being used abundantly and generously.

The Finders Keepers - Making It Happen from kodamapixel on Vimeo.