We always love visiting the Gold Coast’s original boutique creative markets, The Village Markets, because there’s a surprise around every corner.
On our last visit to TVM Burleigh there were an abundance of food trucks and stalls – tons to eat and lots of handmade creative goodies for sale from up-and-coming designers. A bit left of centre, you can pick up a special handmade gift or piece of clothing here that has not been seen elsewhere on the coast.
That’s exactly what we do on our visit. There’s time too to have a chat to creators.
Two stalls in particular take our fancy: Brown Paper Lemon – pen and ink line hand drawn sea creatures featured on pillowcases and wall decals, the work of art of local graphic designer Nikki Hernan, and Antique Soul – Japanese-inspired hand-coloured vintage photos.
“The photos go through thirteen steps to age them. It’s all done by hand,” owner Vanessa Worthington tells us. “I also design the packaging for these soaps, which a friend makes, and hand dye these wooden bangles.” They’re gorgeous wares, so individual, but how did she get started doing something so boutique?
“I threw in my corporate job, deciding to do something that made me happy,” she tells me.
Her comments echo the founding of The Village Markets, started by Gold Coast entrepreneurs Marissa Bowden and Sarah Schoeller after both were made redundant from marketing jobs in the lead up to the GFC. Now with well over 100 stalls, there’s a great mix of arts, creatives, clothing, jewellery, cushions and candles, live music and gourmet food – a unique market that’s been a launching pad for so much creative talent!
The Village Markets, Burleigh Heads State School, 1750 Lower Gold Coast Highway, Burleigh Heads – 1st & 3rd Sunday of each month, 8am -1pm.
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