Artisan Market

Melbourne ceramic artist Andi Senior brings together ceramics, printmaking, painting and music in a multidisciplinary practice inspired by nature, ritual and storytelling. Mostly self-taught, her hand-built ceramic works blend ancient influences with contemporary ideas, exploring identity, culture and our connection to the natural world.

Among her best-loved creations is the playful Pony Collection – a growing family of ceramic horses and other charming animals, each handmade using traditional techniques. No two pieces are exactly the same, with every sculpture embracing the beauty of slow making and individuality. 

Alongside creating her own work, Andi also shares her skills through ceramics workshops, inviting others to discover the joy of making by hand.

www.andisenior.com

@andiceramics

Lea Oldjohn is the founder and designer of two connected but distinct brands, Cordê Couture and Cordê Macramé, where traditional knotting techniques are transformed into sculptural fashion, accessories, homewares and one-of-a-kind artworks.

After more than two years of research and experimentation, Lea discovered that knotting could become far more than a traditional craft. Every piece is created by hand using carefully developed techniques that turn simple cord into sculptural forms, with a focus on craftsmanship, sustainability and timeless design.

While Cordê Couture showcases elegant hand-knotted garments, Cordê Macramé expands that vision into handcrafted accessories, homewares and artworks. The collection includes bags, bowls, coasters, lighting cords, hanging ropes and intricate wall pieces that combine knotwork with natural found objects. Each piece celebrates texture, form and the beauty of handmade design.

Sustainability is central to the brand, with Lea working primarily with braided recycled cord made from fast-fashion textile waste, alongside locally produced cotton rope whenever possible. Every creation reflects her commitment to thoughtful craftsmanship, Australian-made materials and transforming everyday objects into functional works of art.

@corde.macrame  cordemacrame.com

Crafty Betty is the creative practice of Melbourne-based ceramic artist Betty Ma, whose work is shaped by curiosity, process and a deep connection to making.

After beginning on the pottery wheel in 2019, Betty’s interest quickly grew from a hobby into a full-time practice during the lockdown years. Since launching in 2021, her work has developed into an open-ended exploration of material and form, grounded in a belief that creativity should remain fluid and evolving.

Her pieces reflect a dialogue between maker and material — each one shaped by experimentation and a willingness to follow where the process leads. While ceramics sit at the centre, the spirit of Crafty Betty extends across different mediums, unified by a hands-on, thoughtful approach.

Sustainability is considered throughout her practice, from mindful material choices to small-scale, local production. At its heart, the brand is about creating objects that feel personal and lived with — work that moves beyond the gallery and into everyday moments.

Follow Betty at @craftybetty21

Jelly Originals is a Melbourne-based upcycling project built on one idea: rebirth. Each piece is one of one, reworked from thrifted garments and discarded fabrics, given a new life with attitude and intention.

What began as a response to the rise of fast fashion has grown into something louder — a creative practice that treats clothing as something to play with, push and transform. Nothing is off limits. Every garment carries its own energy, shaped by chaos, instinct and a refusal to follow the usual rules.

Using the ankh as a symbol of renewal, Jelly Originals turns second-hand finds into pieces that feel entirely new. It’s not just about reducing waste, but about reimagining what clothing can be — expressive, unapologetic and made to be worn your way.

Custom pieces are part of the process too, inviting you to choose a base, share a mood or idea, and let it evolve into something uniquely yours.

Follow Jelly Originals at @jellyoriginals

Manta Organics is a Melbourne-based brand rethinking the line between makeup and skincare. Handmade in small batches, each product is created with a simple idea in mind — that beauty should feel good on the skin, not work against it. The concealer-foundations and bronzer come in a range of shades to help you deal with your particular skin concerns.

Founded by Claire after her own experience with hormonal imbalances, the brand grew from a desire to better understand what goes into everyday beauty products. Through her research, she found that many formulas contain ingredients that can disrupt the body. What started as a personal project soon became something to share, encouraging others to feel more confident in what they use on their skin.

At Manta Organics, less is more. The focus is on gentle, non-toxic ingredients that support calm, clear skin without complicated routines. It’s makeup designed for expression rather than perfection — soft, natural formulas that feel as good as they look.

Follow Manta Organics at @manta.organics

Melbourne designer-maker Meg Smith creates thoughtful accessories, including belts, headbands and bags, using the same low-waste fabric layouts as her garments. Made to order in The Patch, each piece reflects her love of storytelling, Victorian-inspired design and slow, ethical craftsmanship that is built to last.

megsmithmakes.com

@megsmithmakes

There’s something special about pieces that are made slowly and by hand. Melbourne ceramic artist Michelle Cooper, the creator behind Mikella Ceramics, began working with clay in 2023 as a creative escape from burnout and quickly fell in love with the process.

Since launching her first market stall in January 2026, she’s been crafting unique functional and decorative pieces including mugs, sake cups, vases, earrings and trinket dishes — all inspired by textures, patterns, nature and cultures from around the world.

Through Mikella Ceramics, Michelle hopes to bring a little everyday joy into people’s homes with handcrafted treasures made to be used, loved and kept. She also works consciously by reclaiming clay where possible, sourcing locally, and donating 10% of market sales to threatened species conservation through the Foundation for Australia’s Most Endangered.

Follow Mikella Ceramics at @mikellaceramics

Monarch Jewellery is a Melbourne-based label by stylist and chainmail artist Raine, reworking traditional ideas of adornment into something more fluid and inclusive. Launched in late 2025, the brand draws on a background in styling, embroidery and knitwear, with a clear influence from medieval dress and layered, maximalist forms.

Each piece is handmade in stainless steel, designed to move with the body — soft in feel, but grounded in strength. Chainmail, once used as protection, is reimagined here as expressive armour. Crystals are often woven through the work, adding colour and a quiet sense of intention.

At its core, Monarch Jewellery challenges the idea of who jewellery is for. The name itself speaks to a genderless identity, with pieces made to be worn, shared and styled across wardrobes without limitation.

Durability and care are built into the process. Pieces are modular, repairable and made to last, with materials sourced locally where possible. It’s a slower, more considered way of making — one that values longevity over trend.

Follow Monarch Jewellery at @monarchjewellery__

Natalie Bikicki Designs is an award-winning Australian millinery and accessories brand founded by Melbourne designer Natalie Bikicki in 2012. With a background in millinery, fashion design, fashion illustration and fine art, Natalie creates handcrafted headwear and accessories that combine traditional craftsmanship with contemporary design.

Inspired by nature, sculpture, fashion history and colour, the brand is known for feminine, artistic pieces featuring sculptural forms, beautiful materials and intricate detailing. Every design is handcrafted in small quantities, with an emphasis on quality, longevity and timeless style rather than fast fashion.

Looking ahead, Natalie aims to continue growing the brand as a recognised Australian luxury label while collaborating with premium brands and creating memorable wearable works of art that celebrate individuality and special occasions.

@nataliebikicki

www.nataliebikickidesigns.com

Round The Bend was founded by Vanessa McKendry in the UK in 2014 and is now based in Melbourne. Inspired by a conversation with her dad, who joked that she was “round the bend” for thinking anyone would buy bent cutlery, Vanessa turned an unusual idea into a distinctive jewellery brand, transforming antique silver and silver-plated sugar tongs into one-of-a-kind bracelets.

Vanessa carefully sources English antique cutlery, often dating each piece through its hallmarks so customers can discover the history behind their jewellery. She also enjoys giving treasured family silver a new life, creating wearable keepsakes that can be passed from one generation to the next.

Although she has considered moving online, Vanessa still loves meeting people at markets and events, where every conversation is just as rewarding as the jewellery she creates.

@roundthebend_vintage

Sense Products is a Melbourne-based skincare brand centred on simplicity, care and a deep respect for natural ingredients. Founded by Vesna Dolic, who brings over 25 years of experience, the brand grew from a personal hobby into an ethically minded practice focused on thoughtful, small-scale making.

Working primarily with olive oil, Sense creates handmade soaps and balms designed to gently support everyday skin health. Each product is crafted using plant-based oils, butters and botanical extracts, chosen for their natural properties and the way they nourish and protect the skin.

There’s a quiet intention behind the name — a reminder of the five senses and the way skincare can connect to how we feel, not just how we look. With a focus on locally sourced Australian ingredients and chemical-free formulations, Sense offers products that feel simple, honest and easy to use.

Follow Sense at @senseproductsau

Founded by Anna-Maria Rice in late 2025, Solace & Smoke is a handmade candle and homewares brand based in Victoria’s Macedon Ranges. Every piece is designed and handcrafted by Anna-Maria in small batches, reflecting a commitment to quality, simplicity and timeless design.

Inspired by nature, architecture and organic textures, the brand creates sculptural candles and homewares that bring calm, warmth and character to everyday living. Sustainability is central to Solace & Smoke, with refillable candles, recyclable packaging where possible, and products designed to be enjoyed for years rather than replaced. Whether found at local Victorian markets or online, every piece celebrates slow craftsmanship and thoughtful design, transforming simple moments at home into lasting rituals.

@solaceandsmoke solaceandsmoke.com

The Essentials Lab, based in Kew, Melbourne, approaches fragrance and beauty with a focus on simplicity and intention. Built around the idea of “the bare essentials”, the brand creates plant-based products designed to support everyday moments — whether that’s starting the day, slowing down, or heading out for the evening.

Their range moves across home fragrances, body mists, perfumes, oils and skincare, all formulated with essential oils and botanicals to gently shift mood and atmosphere. There’s a quiet focus on how scent can shape a space, not just for individuals but for businesses too, with bespoke, white-label room fragrances tailored to reflect a brand’s identity.

From nourishing hand and body care to light, wearable scents, each product is made to feel considered, functional and easy to live with — bringing a sense of calm, clarity or energy into daily routines.

Follow The Essentials Lab at @theessentialslab

Totally Bon is a Melbourne-based candle studio bringing together scent, design and atmosphere in a quiet, considered way. Founded by Stevie — also known as Mr Bon — the brand reflects his background in minimalist design, shaped by early memories of London and travels across Europe.

Each candle is developed from concept through to final form, with Stevie overseeing everything from fragrance to visual identity. The result is a collection that feels cohesive, refined and easy to live with — classic amber glass, soft flickers of light, and scents that settle gently into a space.

Hand-poured in small batches using vegan-friendly soy wax, the candles are designed to balance performance with care. Fragrances combine essential oils with carefully developed blends to create depth and consistency, while remaining non-toxic and cruelty-free.

Follow Totally Bon at @totallybon

TvTherapy Jewellery is the creative project of Noah, a Melbourne-based designer exploring jewellery as a form of self-expression and experimentation.

Launched in February 2025, the brand began in a simple, personal way — bending cutlery from a kitchen drawer into rings for friends. What started as small, handmade pieces has grown into an evolving practice that questions what jewellery can be, and where it can exist on the body.

Working primarily with recycled materials sourced from op shops, Noah transforms everyday objects into wearable forms that extend beyond traditional ideas of adornment. Pieces are often shaped “to form”, designed to sit across unexpected areas like the jaw, hands or forearms, bringing a streetwear sensibility into sculptural jewellery.

Sustainability sits at the core of the process, with each material reused thoughtfully and waste kept to a minimum. Just as important is accessibility — creating work that feels open to everyone, while still offering one-off pieces for those wanting something more personal.

Follow TvTherapy Jewellery at @tvtherapy_jewellery

Velvet Slipperz is a Melbourne-based label by Ellie, a multidisciplinary artist working across textiles, ceramics and digital mediums. What began as a return to sewing — after years of making as a child — has grown into a thoughtful upcycled fashion practice grounded in experimentation and self-expression.

Her pieces draw on grunge, punk and dive bar energy, with each garment shaped by what’s available — offcuts, scraps and secondhand materials reworked into something entirely new. It’s a process that embraces imperfection and individuality, where no two pieces are the same.

At the heart of the brand is a simple intention: to reduce textile waste and make sustainable fashion feel accessible. By repurposing what already exists, Ellie creates clothing that is both considered and wearable, without losing its edge.

Each piece is made locally in Melbourne, with custom work available — an open invitation to create something personal, one garment at a time.

Follow Velvet Slipperz at @velvetslipperz

Web of Life is a creative candle making workshop designed as a fun, hands-on activity for all ages. Led by Sonia-Marie, the studio offers a relaxed space to explore candle and mould soap making, with a wide choice of colours, fragrances and moulds to experiment with.

After years in structured roles, Sonia-Marie returned to creativity to build something that brings balance and joy — not just for herself, but for others too. Each session is beginner-friendly and open to anyone looking to slow down, try something new and enjoy the process of making.

Using 100% soy wax and mostly recycled vessels, the workshops focus on thoughtful, low-waste creation. From classic scented candles to beeswax tapers and playful dessert-inspired designs, every piece is made by hand and taken home as something personal and meaningful.

Inspired by her grandmother’s words to “go out into life and weave your web”, Web of Life is about creating something to feel proud of — whether it’s a quiet moment of making or a shared experience at a birthday, hen’s day or special gathering.

Follow Web of Life at @web_of_life_bayswater

In a world of fast fashion and faceless online shopping, Blinged stands apart — proving that handmade still matters, and that you don’t have to be royalty to feel like a princess.

Victoria Pajouhesh fled Russia as a refugee in 1978, later becoming a lawyer — but it was her lifelong love of craft and creativity that led her to launch Blinged in early 2018. Based in Australia, Victoria personally designs, customises, and handcrafts each piece, creating one-of-a-kind items for both children and adults.

Her designs have appeared in Vogue, earned ‘Best Street Style’ at the Melbourne Cup, and featured in French fashion magazine Moevir. A proud ambassador for the Treasure Chest Charity, Victoria is committed to giving back.

Talented designer and milliner Victoria Paige is the creator behind this elegant millinery and accessory brand.

Victoria says she has “always loved the idea of having a brand that celebrates how unique we all are, and I create for people who enjoy wearing something beautiful just because we can, the fearless people who love to experiment with fashion and who aren’t afraid to stand out”.

Aurelia Paige has an aesthetic that resonates with those of us of the romantic persuasion.

Designed and handcrafted in Collingwood by local artisan Kizzi, each creation is made using the ancient lost wax casting technique — a tradition dating back over 3,000 years.

With a focus on recycled precious metals and ethically sourced gemstones, Have Mercy’s designs embrace an organic, raw beauty that is both unique and meaningful. Every piece is also waterproof, making it perfect for everyday wear.

Inspired by nature, nostalgia and femininity, Zerafima creates timeless fashion for the wanderers and free spirits. Designed in Australia, each collection features natural materials and a neutral colour palette drawn from the landscape.

The Freya Saddle Bag is one of Zerafima’s signature pieces — crafted from quality pebble leather with gold buckles, a tassel fastening, and thick canvas lining. Refined, relaxed and romantic, it’s a bag that carries you effortlessly from coast to country and beyond.

Texcoco Collective brings together sustainability and style through eco-luxe handbags made from innovative vegan cactus leather. Each piece is handcrafted in Mexico by skilled artisans using traditional techniques, supporting local communities and preserving cultural heritage.

Founded by Monique Montfroy, the brand is rooted in deep respect for the environment and a commitment to doing fashion differently. Every bag is a conscious choice — stylish, functional, and designed to last.

After a long career in the corporate world, Corey has returned to her first love — making practical, thoughtful products that make everyday life a little easier.

Enter the ComboClip — a clever, stylish solution for keeping your hat and other belongings close at hand. Born from the need to stay sun smart without losing hats along the way, it easily attaches to bags, backpacks, belt loops and more. Available in a range of colours and styles, it’s a simple tool with endless uses.

Each pair is a little work of wearable art. Handmade in Melbourne, these limited-edition, non-pierced earrings, ear cuffs, and hairpins are crafted from semiprecious gemstones, Czech fire-polished crystals, and pressed glass beads.

Her signature ear cuffs and unique ‘ear hook’ styles elegantly balance over the top of the ear, offering a bold, statement-making twist on conventional earrings. Every pair is one of a kind — no repeats, no mass production.