The ACT will reach another post-lockdown milestone this weekend with the first in-person Handmade Market held in over two years.  

The market will finally return to the Budawang Pavilion at EPIC, open from 10am to 4pm this Saturday 30 April and Sunday 1 May.

“Handmade is a local business success story. Previously the Handmade Market happened once per quarter,” said Tara Cheyne, Minister for Business. The last in-person market was held in December 2019.

“During last year’s lockdown, Handmade created an online market — and their team of makers found new customers all over the world.

“We want Canberrans to choose local, to eat local, to shop local and to style local.”

More than 220 Australian designers and producers will be returning to the Handmade Market this weekend.

Handmade Canberra managing director Julie Nichols said “our Australian makers have done it tough over the last two years… Getting back to a real-life, in-person market is a huge step towards some normality”.

“I have loved supporting makers through the Handmade Online Markets, but nothing beats being able to see and feel the handmade products with your own hands,” said long-time Handmade Market customer, Carole.

“There is just something so special about holding a handmade product, while talking directly to the person who has made it.”

This weekend, the market is coming back in full swing, offering all the Australian and local, interesting and unusual products that Canberrans have been missing.

The gourmet food hall will be creating a feast for the senses, welcoming an array of vendors including the Cannoli Brothers, Chimmi, La Bancarella, La Empanada, Let’s Do Yum Cha, Little Wu Chinese Street Food, Mellabella Gelato, Scott’s food vans, Yiannos Catering, and Super Bao.

Shoppers can explore the isles and find fresh produce, jams, condiments, artisan biscuits, award winning cheeses, handmade pasta, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.

Market goers will be spoiled for choice with the large range of jewellery, clothing, homewares, candles, and body products. Check below for our Mother’s Day last-minute gift guide.

Entry to the Handmade Market is free, however a gold coin donation to the door greeters from GIVIT is encouraged.

“Please come and support our Australian makers this weekend,” said Ms Nichols. “Show them some love and let them know that they have been missed.”

Looking for a last-minute Mother’s Day gift? The Handmade vendors have you covered with presents to suit any mum’s tastes. Here are a few of our favourites in the line-up for this weekend.

For the Gallery mum

• Belinda Doyle Art creates resin art and homewares that capture the natural beauty of the ocean, perfect for mums who love to have the finer things around the house.  
• artomobile’s quirky coloured prints are for anyone who falls in love with the lines of classic cars.

For the retro mum

• BassCase upcycles vintage suitcases and speakers to make high quality Bluetooth suitcase stereos.
• Hey Laidy handcrafts guitar straps, camera straps, bag straps and belts in vintage-inspired designs using hemp webbing and vintage jacquard ribbon.
• Pinkoasis creates 1960s-inspired kiss lock clutches in unique retro and modern fusion prints.

For the sweet mum

• Edible Favours sells Canberra-made smooth creamy handmade fudge in over 20 flavours.
• Mixed Bag offers some of the best sticky chai blends in the ACT.

For the brainy mum

• Gundaroo Puzzler produces gorgeous 3D wooden puzzles that are dying to be displayed, once they’ve been figured out.

For the whimsical mum

• LilliBean Designs’ mixed media original artworks feature big-eyed characters and mythical creatures, all of which have their own backstory, bringing a bit of whimsy into the everyday.
• Sparkle*Liscious food-related accessories are pure quirky fun.

For the skincare mum

• Nature Lab Skincare is inspired by creator Vaana’s son’s struggles with eczema, catering to the most sensitive of skin types.

For the fantasy mum

• Wild Hunt themed candles are inspired by fantasy, folklore, and RPG gaming, creating a multi-sensory backdrop for engaging in high adventure.

For the fashionable mum

• Amy Creative makes Polymer Clay earrings and jewellery in bold, bright, and unapologetic colours.  
• Tigalf’s feminine and eclectic jewellery designs are a hit at festivals and fashion markets.
• Focus Folding’s unique origami earrings and necklaces are teeny tiny works of art.

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