market finds - fabric & paper

Here are the goodies I picked up at the Bowerbird Bazaar markets on the weekend. Last time, I bought prints from printspace, this time it was about fabrics and paper...

Fabric from Ink & Spindle. I thought they'd look great framed in white Ikea ribba frames. I couldn't go past this yellow (which looks mustard-y in the photo) which works really well contrasted against navy.

Fabric from Cloth Fabric. I picked up a few remnants I could turn into cushions. I'm not usually into pink (funny considering it features in my blog colours a fair bit!) but with chocolate, I think it's a winner!

Cards from Able & Game. I'm going to use these as birthday cards...they give Hallmark a run for their money, don't you think?



I can't wait to get stuck into these fabrics, handy considering I had my first sewing class last night. I seem to start things with the best of intentions but then when it comes down to it I tend to lose motivation. Maybe the idea appeals to me more than actually having to get off my butt and do it. I borrowed a sewing machine I had never set eyes on before, let alone used, so I didn't get to sew. Hopefully at the end of the 5 weeks I'll have something to show you!

bowerbird bazaar weekend

I was lucky enough to pop into Bowerbird Bazaar on the weekend. I was impressed, yet again! The stalls keep getting better, with lots of local art and design on offer.

Held in the Queens Theatre, an old and beautiful barn -

it's the oldest purpose-built theatre on mainland Australia!

The sea-shell timber light fitting is like a beautiful piece of art

Lovely vintage brooches and retro fabrics

Handmade lamps by 'Feed the Dog' - what a great name!

Tasmanian oak and bamboo chandeliers by 'Who Did That'

I bought a few goodies which I'll post about soon! I hope you all had a lovely weekend. Spring has finally arrived here which means beaches, ice creams and sun kissed faces. Bliss!

Dizzy Lizzy had her first beach visit on Sunday but I forgot to get photo evidence! oops

bowerbird bazaar

In Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne it’s The Finders Keepers market. In Adelaide it’s Bowerbird Bazaar – a market for designers and makers alike. Here I interview the founders of Bowerbird Bazaar - Jane Barwick & Rebekah Cichero (thanks ladies!) – to find out what’s going on in the Adelaide design scene…

How did Bowerbird Bazaar come about?

We were both exhibiting interstate (Jane – in-sync design and Rebekah - sprout design) and kept bumping into each other and talking about the fact that Adelaide really didn’t have a high-quality market for designer/makers. Rebekah called me one day and asked shall we organise one? And I said yes!

What was your motivation behind creating Bowerbird Bazaar?

We saw a gap in the market in Adelaide and a need for a selling place for South Australian designer/makers locally, as well as an opportunity for interstate designer/makers to tap into the Adelaide market. We wanted to create an opportunity to promote the makers and invite retailers and media to the event too.

What do you look for when choosing artists and designers to sell their wares at Bowerbird Bazaar?

The design base of the products, presentation, the professional approach to the design and business. Products need to be designed by the applicant and preferably made in Australia.

Do you have any advice for aspiring artists and designers looking to sell their products at local markets such as at Bowerbird Bazaar?

We provide stallholders with a lot of information and support, particularly to those who are emerging and have less experience in both wholesaling and retailing. Join mailing lists so you can be notified when applications open. Accompany an application with good photography. Treat your stall like a temporary shop front, i.e. merchandise well.

What would I expect to find there?

Beautiful products and the chance to meet the makers behind them… Everything from a rug for your floor, cushion for a chair, textiles, furniture, wall art, jewellery, glassware, ceramics, clothing, leather goods, stationery. Wonderful local gourmet food, wine, beer and coffee too! Over 80 stalls.

What has the response been like to Bowerbird Bazaar?

Overwhelmingly positive. There’s a hunger for good design and the venue, a wonderful historic gutted theatre in the CBD, has a character of its own. It’s a great shopping and socialising event. We had 6000 people through in March – and it was only our second event. Many local stallholders are now participating in events interstate.

And...where to from here for the Adelaide design scene?

There’s a large design and artistic scene in Adelaide that’s largely been underground. There’s now a strong platform for designers, makers and artists to promote that work directly to the public and retailers. Adelaide can only be acknowledged more and more as a design town – as a destination to find good design, as well as a place to come to and sell and promote Australian design to a design hungry market. There will be more and more South Australian Design seen interstate now too.

These are some of the great designs on offer - see more at their web site & blog.

The next Bowerbird Bazaar is being held next weekend from 8 - 10 October. If you're in Adelaide you should definitely check them out. I'll be there and hopefully I'll walk away with some goodies to talk about in a later post...