Creating 21st century heirlooms

Posted on 7 June, 2019

In a world where clicking “add to cart” is the norm, Canberra’s Handmade Market has become a welcome antidote for locals yearning for a more personal shopping experience.

After all, being able to touch, smell or taste a product before selecting it is quickly becoming a rarity—even more so, getting the chance to meet the vendor who spent hours creating it.

Since its beginnings in 2008, crowds of 20-30,000 flock to Handmade each time the quarterly event is run, filling their bags with homemade gifts, clothes, food, collectibles and homewares that can’t be found anywhere else. Rather than competing with buyers around the country online, shoppers can uncover a gem or find a unique piece at a bargain price.

Take Julian Suitor, a blacksmith who makes predominately iron homewares. Using ethically sourced materials, Julian creates his products forged from iron, often incorporating Australian timbers. His items range from simple coat hooks and fire irons, to 800-layer Damascus steel Chef knives.

Julian Suitor.

“I have a cathartic need to use my hands for a creative purpose,” Julian says.

“I am deeply passionate about the ancient craft of blacksmithing—creating unique items that can be used by people every day is incredibly satisfying.”

For Julian, Handmade is a place where people can see, shop and be assured that they are getting what they pay for, not only because they can feel the objects in their own hands, but more importantly because they are face to face with the very artisan that designed and produced the items.

“I believe this engagement is key to keeping a lost art alive,” he says.

“Long ago monetary exchange meant more than just a rudimentary business transaction—it was a form of recognition and appreciation from the buyer that goes beyond simple money.”

Crayon Chick.

Home décor and jewellery business Crayon Chick has appeared at Handmade since 2012, with owner Michelle Harvey reinterpreting traditional crafts through handmade designs as a way to “connect us to simpler times.”

“My work explores materials and techniques to showcase these time-honoured skills, crafts and decorative motifs,” Michelle says.

“The current range focuses on traditional and ancient rope knotting to create striking home decor and jewellery with simple, modernist design.  These classic techniques are interpreted in a sophisticated, contemporary way to highlight the intricate weave, artisan techniques and new technology.”

Michelle’s process is “very labour intensive,” incorporating traditional methods of knotting, weaving and sourcing local made rope and hand dying her own colour range.

For Michelle, the appeal of Handmade is “all about the connection.”

“People will always yearn to connect with something tangible,” she says.

Crayon Chick.

“Shopping Handmade gives you the opportunity to learn the story behind the product.  Knowing where and how your product is made, and who made it, adds to a more personally rewarding shopping experience.”

Those who peruse the stall of jewellery designer and silversmith Danica Moorcroft will see beautiful, delicate pieces of jewellery that bely the painstaking work behind them.

Inspired by the sea, Danica makes all of her jewellery from recycled sterling silver in her studio. Using a process called lost wax casting, she creates different textures that are unique to each piece.

Danica Moorcroft.

“From there, there is lots of saw-piercing, soldering, filing and polishing to create the finished piece,” she says.

“It’s difficult to gauge how long each piece takes to make as I like working on multiple pieces at once.”

Danica says the interaction with customers at Handmade often helps spur ideas for her next creations.

“Customers have such great ideas—chatting with them is the best part of my job,” she says.

“Also, I love helping customers to select their jewellery pieces—we have fun finding the perfect piece for them to wear or to give as a gift.”

the essentials

What: Handmade Market June 2019
When: 29 and 30 June, doors open at 10 am and close at 4 pm
Where: EPIC Exhibition Park
Entry: Free but donations to charity collectors are encouraged
Web: handmadecanberra.com.au

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