Wee Birdy

Sydney shopping: Finders Keepers market

Phew. I'm a bit puffed. We moved into our new place last weekend and I've been trying to conquer the seemingly expanding mountain of boxes (I think they're breeding) while dealing with a 27-week baby bump and an ever-growing list of utterly mad pregnancy maladies.

But I was so delighted to take a break on the weekend and finally delve into some Australian independent design, in the form of the brilliant Finders Keepers market at Eveleigh's CarriageWorks.

It was my first visit to CarriageWorks and my first real foray into Australian independent design since returning from London. And after covering so many design markets in London (including Bust) and seeing the best of UK talent, I wasn't really sure what to expect. After all, when I left Sydney in February 2007, there wasn't an awful lot happening with local design and craft, but the scene has really taken off since then.

And joy, oh joy, Finders Keepers was an absolute treat! I was not only impressed by the high standard of work but also the diverse and beautifully collated line-up of 75 exhibitors, spanning furniture, fashion, ceramics, textiles, jewellery and stationery. The carefully considered mix of designers offered a new surprise at every turn (my head was just about spinning), neatly avoiding the trap of 'samey-ness' that can sometimes plague design markets.

CarriageWorks itself is a wonderfully cavernous and light-filled industrial location to hold a busy Christmas design market on a humid Sydney weekend, complete with an excellent bar and cafe.

Here are some of my Finders Keepers highlights, with more posts to come over the week. Overseas readers can also purchase some great Australian design by clicking on the websites, which link through to contact details, blogs and online stores.


Super-sweet rabbit characters adorn The Storybook Rabbit's collection of vintage plates.


Loved the 'Noice' biscuit tea-towel at Materialistic's stall.


Sophisticated simplicity from Mr & Mrs White's range of homewares and furniture.


Charming handprinted stationery at Write to Me features adorable vintage motifs.




Cory Child's beautifully pleated fabric necklaces.


Loving Bride and Wolfe's Scandi-inspired circle wall shelves - perfect for collectables and displaying children's figurines.


Vintage fabric and a whimsical timber panel illustration combine to make a gorgeous and unique handbag at Oktoberdee.


The Missing Piece's handcrafted stools feature beautiful organic design and unexpected pops of colour.


The most splendid pre-loved vintage books have been repurposed as journals, photo albums, diaries and sketchbooks at Rebound Books.


'Scratchie' cards, advent calendars and beautiful graphics at TMOD.

Adorable handcrafted creatures (think pugs, owls and foxes) and whimsical embroidery at Cat Rabbit. (Nice website, too.)




Lox+Savvy's brilliant installation of a paper metropolis and eye-popping collection of stationery.

Finders Keepers markets are bi-annual events in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. Visit their website (and check out their brilliant blog) for more information about the next event.

For more photos, click here for my Flickr set.

Birdy (and Xmas) pick of the week

Just found some more Christmas stocking (and birdy) joy by way of South-east London design company Roddy & Ginger's range of homewares, bags and prints. Scandi and folksy-inspired birds and owls are hand screen-printed across a collection of the loveliest natural linen homewares, including tea-towels, cushions and Christmas stockings. Beautiful and affordable gift ideas!

From above, large Roddy the Owl Christmas stocking, £16, Bird Christmas stocking, £12, Happy birds cushions in teal and turquoise, £25 each, adult's apron in blue or pink, £20, owl cushion in yellow, £25, and pink bird cushion on white linen, £26, from Roddy & Ginger's online shop. 

You can also purchase from their Etsy shop, and read their blog here.

Wee Christmas finds: Gifts for romantics

My top picks of the best wee pretties around, starting at £10.

1. Charbonnel et Walker pink Marc De Champagne truffles (oh dear god, my favourites), £11.50, from Liberty (ships internationally).

2. D.L. & Co Le Pomme rose mini candle, £30, from Liberty (ships internationally).

3. Stella McCartney Knickers of the Week camisole, £65, from Net-a-Porter (this links to the UK store, so be sure to select your own country before purchasing).

4. Bourjois limited edition Paris-themed blush pots, AU$20, for Australian stockists call 1800 181 040 (available from Boots in the UK).

5. Guerlain Or Impérial Sublime Radiant Powder Face & Body, US$85, from Sephora.

6. Pink Rob Ryan journal, £12, from John Lewis (only ships within the UK).

7. MOR Lychee Flower Lip Delight, AU$14.95, from MOR. (UK readers can purchase MOR products from Space NK).

8. Strange Invisible Perfumes in Prima Ballerina, £120, from Content (ships internationally).

9. Day Birger et Mikkelsen pearly knitted open-ended necklace, £60, from Net-a-Porter (this links to the UK store, so be sure to select your own country before purchasing).

Wee find: Claudette cards

 

Loving the retro simplicity and the eco credentials of The Claudettes postcards, which are printed on 100 per cent recycled, uncoated board. I've already received one as a baby thank-you note, but they would also be perfect for party invitations or birth announcements. Or any occasion, really.

They're from wonderful Wee Birdy sponsor The Green Apple. Have a look for more fresh and fun eco-friendly and ethically-sourced gifts of the non-hair shirt variety. (Don't forget that you get 10 per cent discount with the code 'weebirdy'!)

Wee find: Andrea Garland's natural balms

A few months ago I was mooching around Greenwich market and stumbled across Andrea Garland’s range of natural balms in vintage tins, compacts and pill boxes.

I really like her organic lip balm made with sweet almond oil, cocoa butter, beeswax and vitamin E, but she also does a terrific sore muscle rub and a body balm. The best bit is that she does refills at a fraction of the original price - so you get to keep the original pretty tin.

These days you can find her at Brick Lane’s Upmarket and Liberty in London, but she’s also got an online store here.