Northcote’s Suitcase Rummage Market

What it is: The idea behind the market is that stall holders sell out of their suitcase, to create a very chilled out picnic ambiance.

Where it is: Northcote Uniting Church, 251 High St, Northcote, VIC

Hours of Operation: every second Saturday of the month, from 11am – 4pm (check out the official website for any changes to the schedule)

What you’ll find: Clothes, clothes, and more clothes. Plus shoes, jewellery, furniture, and brick-a-brack. Half the stalls are typically creative types selling their creations, while the other half are those selling their secondhand wares. No food stalls are allowed, however there is a small sandwhich shop nearby & busy High street has many shops to sell you food.

Why I love it: It has a very chilled out vibe, plus there are comfy chairs outside the stall area where you can just relax with your friends. It is also on bustling High St, so while the market is relatively small, you can get your shopping fix from quirky stores nearby.

The delightful Anna from Sabiha Jewellery

Sabiha Jewellery

While the doors open to the stal holders at 10 am, it does not get very busy, and as such it is not vital that you arrive earlier than 11am, when the doors to the public open.

My advice for getting the most out of this suitcase rummage market:

• even though it is a little awkward, do take the time to sit infront of each suitcase and RUMMAGE! It is hard to display items in a suitcase, so you never know what treasures you’ll find!
• buy lunch on High St and come back and eat it on the chairs just outside the stall area – very comfy chairs await your behind 🙂
• it is an indoor market, so while it is super children friendly, maybe don’t bring your dog to this one.
• it’s free to attend as a shopper, but stall holders pay a $25 registration fee (well in advance)

Let me know how you go!

Abbotsford Convent’s Supper Market

Stalls at the Abbotsford ‘Supper’ Market

What it is: The Supper Market is a free family friendly affair (dogs included) focusing mainly on food.

Where it is: The Abbotsford Convent at 1 Heliers St., Abbotsford, Victoria.

Hours of Operation: Friday evening from 6pm – 10pm, all throughout summer (till March 1, 2013) – ONLY ONE FRIDAY LEFT!!

What you’ll find: Permanent restaurants & temporary stalls selling food and drinks from many different countries, plus some stalls selling clothes, accessories, soap etc… But please note this market is mostly a food market. There are also live bands and plenty of space to hang out, whether it’s in front of the band, or other grass areas around the convent.

Why I had an awesome time: I brought along my best friend and we browsed the stalls, sat in the park, stuffed our faces with vegetarian paella and yummy sangria while enjoying the amazing view of the night sky and convent backdrop.

Sangria stall at Abbotsford Supper Market

Winkie Vintage clothes stall at Abbotsford Supper Market

 

 

Chai Stall at Abbotsford Supper Market

What is there for kids? There was a stall for face painting that looked tempting enough for me, and a few big trees that some kids were climbing on. Plus there is lots of grass to run around on towards the back of the convent, where someone was playing fetch with their dog.

Kids’ Face Painting Stall at Abbotsford Supper Market

Tips for enjoying this market:

• Parking is tough if you arrive late, so either get there early, bring $6 in coins to park in the parking lot opposite the convent, or bike ride there.
• Bring insect repellent, especially if you plan on sitting in the grass after dark.
• Bring some friends & enjoy!

Let me know how you go, and if you have any other tips for this market.

 

 

MarketFinds Goes to Zurich, Switzerland

The past month has seen me use up my entire annual leave, as well as be one week in the negative, to prance around Poland & Switzerland. Whilst I have had an incredible adventure, I have been feeling rather guilty of neglecting my baby – this blog. So as a thank you for your patience, I wanted to share with you some photos from a market in Zurich that I just happened to stumble upon one fine Swiss morning.

Market in Zurich

The first thing you notice when going to a market in Europe is that antiques are far more common, and you can get some REALLY old stuff! Switzerland is expensive in general, so market shopping is the way to go in this country. This particular market is sometimes a farmers food market.

Sweet little dress in a Zurich market

There was an abundance of interesting musical instruments & books:

Musical Instrument in a market in Zurich

Platen Book in a market in Zurich

Musical Instrument in a market in Zurich

And vintage jewellery galore:

Vintage Jewellery at a Market in Zurich

And others:

So that was my Swiss market experience – I would highly recommend you check it out if you are in the area, and I will endeavour to update this post with specific details of this place once my jetlag has left me & I have properly unpacked & found my notebook with all the details. Until next time, it’s good to be back!

For the Love of Trinkets

Since I was a little girl, I have adored the thought of receiving presents.  It is not the actual item that I get excited about, but the endless possibilities of what the actual gift could be. I love markets for a very similar reason – there is an element of mystery to what you may discover. This blog is to entice you to venture out to the wonderful world of markets, in the hope that you too will encounter their charm.

Wooden Easter eggs from Camberwell markets