Handmade will hold its first in-person market for 2021 this month

Posted on 9 June, 2021

And what’s more, they have a new name.

As Catherine Carter wrote in her recent profile of Handmade’s Founder Julie Nichols, it’s certainly been a wild 15 months for the Handmade markets.

One of Canberra’s best-loved events, pre-COVID Handmade’s quarterly markets saw crowds spilling into Exhibition Park in Canberra (EPIC) for packed weekends full of handmade goodness, in stalls direct from the makers.

During COVID lockdown, Julie and her team pivoted to online markets—a move that saw market ‘visitation’ skyrocket and allowed makers to reach new audiences—even internationally.

“Many of our stallholders export extensively—in some cases 70 per cent of their business comes from international sales,” said Julie.

It was because of these new audiences that Julie and the team have chosen to rebrand as ‘Handmade Australia’.

Julie Nicols.

“The name Handmade Canberra just didn’t quite fit us the way it did back in 2008,” explains Julie.

“While we will always have a strong emphasis on local artists and producers, our market has grown to incorporate makers from all corners of the country—so it is a natural progression to now call ourselves Handmade Australia.”

Now, the success of Canberra’s COVID regulations means that there’s another natural progression able to happen—a move back to in-person markets.

The first in-person Handmade Market will take place across the weekend of 25-27 June at EPIC and will feature 270 stalls. Needless to say, Julie and her team are thrilled.

“We are so happy to support these makers and promote handmade Australian goods in any way we can. Getting back to a real-life, in-person market is a huge step towards some normality in the current climate and is so very exciting for us all.”

Naturally, the markets will be COVID-sensible, with Handmade working closely with the ACT Government.

While entry is free, patrons are encouraged to book a ticket via Eventbrite browse to alleviate waiting times.

Attendees will also need to download the Check In CBR app and check-in on arrival.