Meet the makers behind the 2024 Undercurrent Design Market

Posted on 12 November, 2024

Counting down the days to the 2024 Undercurrent Design Market?

With just one week to go, there are plenty of reasons to be excited about this must-attend event – like the fact it’s now calling The Vault at Dairy Road home.

Running from Friday 22 until Sunday 24 November, the Undercurrent Design Market is Canberra’s annual celebration of makers, designers and creatives. With a 15-year legacy of showcasing the best in Australian craft, fashion, jewellery, accessories, art and design, it’s become one of the most anticipated shopping events on our calendar.

So, what can you expect this year? With 60 stall holders making their way to The Vault, the answer is plenty. From the new kids on the block to the makers who have been there from the beginning, here are six designers you need to know about ahead of the 2024 market.

Looking for more? Make sure to check out the Makers page to see who else will be there on the day.

The new kids on the block

Maybe you’ve seen their work before or maybe they’re a fresh discovery – either way, after this market, these three Undercurrent newbies will be household names.

Elke Kramer, Studio Elke

For Elke Kramer of Studio Elke, 2024’s market represents her Undercurrent debut. Designing and creating objects and ornaments to decorate both your body and home, she says she’s heard great things about the market.

“I’m new to the region, so I am excited to see what other makers are doing and meet new people,” she says.

“I love The Vault – it’s such a brutal, striking space that elevates any event it holds.”

So, what will you find at her stall? From thoughtfully unique and consciously made jewellery to vases, jewellery boxes and more, there will be plenty to discover.

“I’d love to see Undercurrent continuing to support, showcase and nurture the design community within Canberra.”

Monique van Nieuwland, One Of A Kind

Studying Visual-Textiles and M(Phil) at the ANU School of Art and Design, Monique van Nieuwland is a homegrown talent with an eye for colours, structures and textures.

After visiting Undercurrent as a customer over the years, Monique is excited to be a 2024 stallholder.

“It always offers high-quality handcrafted products, and I wondered if my work would fit in. I enjoy contact with a discerning public, talking about my work process and making people enthusiastic about handweaving, “she says.

Currently selling a range of scarves in wool, linen and silk, hand towels, coasters, cross-body bags for mobile phones and handwoven greeting cards, no two items she creates are the same. And she’s thrilled to sell them at Undercurrent.

“Hand weaving is challenging and engaging. It gives me the chance to ‘play’ with colours, structures, textures and how they can be applied to different uses,” she says.

“I love seeing my woven items worn and used by people.”

Robyn Booth, Robyn Booth Ceramics

A ceramic artist working from her home-based studio in rural New South Wales, Robyn Booth of Robyn Booth Ceramics has been selling her creations for five years. And while you might recognise her ceramics from the Canberra Potters Christmas Fair as well as several group exhibitions, this is the first time she will be showcasing her work at Undercurrent.

“I was the recipient of Canberra Potters Curatoreum Professional Development Award in 2023 giving me a place in this year’s Undercurrent Design Market,” she explains.

“I am both excited and nervous about the scale of the market. I greatly appreciate this opportunity. It is a step I may not have taken without the award.”

Working towards a sustainable ceramic practice, using solar energy for her firings, she says the marker is a unique “opportunity for the public to be aware of the rich world of our regional artists and makers and for the creatives to showcase their unique handmade wares.”

“It is wonderful to see Undercurrent and similar markets showcasing quality handmade items. If my experience with previous markets is similar, Undercurrent Design Market will be a great opportunity for interaction between makers and the public, discussions about process and positive feedback,” she says.

The OG’s

They’ve been a part of Undercurrent since it first began, and after 15 years, their loyalty to this market is unwavering. It’s time these creatives reintroduced themselves.

Simon King, All The Kings Men

Making bags and accessories from leather and canvas in Melbourne for 20 years, Simon from All The Kings Men is no stranger to design markets.

Attending every Undercurrent since its inception in 2009, he’s become a significant part of the event.
“The most striking thing about Undercurrent, from the start, to now – and all those exhibiting would agree with this – is how lovely a market it [Undercurrent] is,” says Simon.

“The people are always really up for it, and they not only appreciate what they see, they also ‘get it’. Honestly it is the market we all look forward to,”

Passionate about honouring the heritage of quality craftsmanship, over the years Simon has watched Undercurrent – and the makers – evolve. One of his favourite memories? The first day of the 2023 Undercurrent Design Market.

“I had told Rich to look after himself and to consider stopping doing them – probably for my own cynical reasons. And then on the first day, the loyal Canberra peeps came in big numbers and happily bought and supported all of us. It was a great reminder to me – and us all – just how important these things are, and how much fun.”

Emma Kidson, Emma Kidson Jewellery

Emma Kidson of Emma Kidson Jewellery has been running her own jewellery practice for 16 years.
Handcrafting every piece in her Wagga Wagga studio, she has been selling her collections of jewellery (which are inspired by Japanese aesthetics, Australian flora and succulent gardens) at Undercurrent since 2010.

“I was introduced to Rich from The Curatoeum by a fellow creator, textile designer Amy Kerr. I was very excited to have my work on display in the shop and to exhibit at the market. That excitement was centred around the prestigious location, and also the very high calibre of the other creators involved,” she says.

“Over the years the market has gone from strength to strength, building a reputation as Canberra’s highest-quality artisan market. It’s an event that people mark in their diaries a whole year in advance!”

Emma says her favourite memories of the market are of the people she’s met over the years.
“There are clients that greet me year after year and have become genuine friends, and fellow stallholders who tempt me to spend all my profits on their beautiful creations!” she says.

“In my sixteen years of attending markets, it is one of the few I still participate in annually, because it never fails to be a wonderful event.”

Katy Robinson, Captain Robbo Adventure Pants

For 15 years, Katy Robinson has been selling hand-printed leggings as a part of her business Captain Robbo Adventure Pants. But it was in 2010 that she discovered the Undercurrent Design Market – and she’s attended every year since.

“I am apparently one of the longest-running and returning traders, and it’s an honour,” she says.
“It’s always great seeing the regular traders as well as meeting some new ones each year!”

Constantly playing with new prints in her studio in Melbourne, Katy is passionate about working with natural Australian fibres and eco-friendly, water-based inks.

Stocked in limited locations out of Australia as well as trading through her store on High Street Northcote, she says that being a part of markets like Undercurrent is a unique opportunity for creatives to connect with the local community.

“I think they are great as they showcase makers and designers from all around Australia and encourage people to buy from an independent maker something unique and special that has been thoughtfully crafted and not mass produced.”

Feature image: Christopher Morris.