This weekend just past, I had the delightful chance to experience a new market event as somewhat of a guest of honour.
Err. Well, no, not really. Hehe. More of a serial pest than a guest of honour.
But Nuffnang and Piccadilly Market had come together to allow 10 bloggers (including yours truly) to check out what is a new-to-the-area artisan market now being held in Williamstown. Being a local yokel, I said yes to the invitation (twice, I was so chuffed) and scampered across to Williamstown to see what it was all about. And I was so glad I braved the bright but chilly weather. The morning included a lovely, yummy breakfast and then a fun scavenger hunt which took us all around the market to look at all the pretty things!
Check out the video to get an idea of what it’s like:
A lovely lady by the name of Janina Lear has been running the market out of Deakin Uni in Geelong for the past four years and this was the first time the market had been held in Melbourne – and I’d have to say it was a crazy success from what I could tell.
There was around 60 stall-holders for this market, all beautifully arranged in the ballroom and function room of the Williamstown Town Hall. There is a clear focus on quality and original hand-made artisan clothes, jewellery, toys, decor and homeware, food and more. If trash ‘n treasure markets aren’t really your cup of tea, this little gem might be just the ticket.
As I said in the beginning, we were supposed to be doing a scavenger hunt, but to be honest, I got so completely distracted with all the pretty things that I forgot to go in search of what was on the list (even though I stumbled across a few by accident). And sadly, my reluctance to enter the modern age and get a smartphone so I can play with Instagram truly bit me in the bum this day – there were prizes up for grabs for the best Instagram picture of the morning and I couldn’t complete! WAH!
To top the morning off, the folks at the market had very kindly contributed to the biggest goodie bags I think I have ever seen for us all. Everything from fudge by The Fudgeman, pompom garlands from Dear Mabel, gorgeous steampunk necklaces from Run Wild Horses, bags from Saquito, lip balms from Bellalu, earrings from Gabby, soy candles from Love & Light and so much more.
You can find all of the stall holders links, including many more not mentioned right here.
Thank you, Janina and Nuffnang for arranging our gathering. Even though I am a small-fry, non-professional blogger, I had a fantastic time and can’t wait to get down to Geelong to see the Piccadilly there too.
Piccadilly Market is on again in Geelong on August 3rd and in Williamstown on November 9th!
Here’s a MASSIVE photobomb of some of my favourite bits from the market.
Piccadilly is held in the gorgeous ballroom of the Williamstown Town Hall
Williamstown Town Hall is a beautiful building and I confess in the 17 years that I have lived in the area, I’ve never gone inside!
Breakfast! (Omnomnom!) And our little scavenger hunt sheets.
Quiche, yoghurt, fruit and chocolate. That’s my kinda breakfast!
The beautiful scented soy candles from Love & Light.
Things that make you go “Mmmmm…”
Seagals gorgeous little stand was filled with crafty, colourful odds and ends such as Scrabble tile bookmarks and hand-made gift tags.
Too much colourful fun. Loved the Seagals stand.
Fell head over heels for these TEEEEEEEEENY-tiny little street lamps from My Fairy World. Perfect for a wee fairy garden.
Actually, I fell in love with EVERYTHING at My Fairy World.
My favourite print from Copenhagen Delights – this was a gorgeous little smock dress/top for a little girl.
The clothes from Copenhagen Delights almost made me want to have kids to wear them. I’ll have to borrow my friends’ children, I think.
Can you believe this is dog food? I was like “YES! COOKIES!” and then “Awww, maaaan!”
Fabulous doggy treats from Pooches on Pakington.
Some of the printed gift tags from Dear Mabel.
Dear Mabel had a gorgeous array of handmade decorations.
Apple Pie soap, anyone? (Oh, HELLS yes.)
Yummy soaps from Tubtime Treats.
Little Puddles had the most adorable stand that was filled with a plethora of goodies in cotton-candy colours
Little Puddles was definitely one of my favourite stalls – so colourful and sweet!
Possibly some of the best smelling lip balms I’ve ever tried.
Everyone needs Bellalu lip balm in their lives. We scored a jar of the watermelon one in our goodie bags and… well, I died.
A handful of my favourites from Gabby – Handmade Resin Jewellery.
Beautiful pendants from gabby.
Another sweet stand filled with quirky shelf toys, prints and jewellery.
I wasn’t the only blogger drooling over these bags from Sophie Taylor. Fell in love with that pale mint one!
Gorgeous knitted clothes and hand-made jewellery from Lauren & Angie.
Got one of these beautiful vinyl bags from Saquito in our gift bags – SCORE!
I need that sausage dog cushion in my life. Lilly Pilly Designs
Some of my favourite designs from Miss Moi Jewellery.
I FOUND STEAMPUNK!
I get super-excited when I see anything assemblage like the jewellery from Run Wild Horses.
