An array of stall holders converged in Bendigo at The Creators Market to showcase the best of their handmade and homemade products.
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The Creators Market organiser Megan Luscombe started the event in 2015 as a way to support Australian small businesses.
“It is an opportunity to have a room filled with little businesses who are trying their best to make it within a very competitive industry,” Ms Luscombe said.
Annie and Shane Brereton are the founders of Salvage Merchants, a business focused on repurposing scrap items and revamping them into homewares.
“This is our passion,” Mr Brereton said.
“We were both in the glazing industry and both quit our jobs at the end of last year as neither of us were getting fulfillment out of our work and wanted to do something that we could do together.
“We love finding, fixing and repurposing things.
With the new business at the forefront of their daily lives, repurposing and reusing things has almost become a religion for the pair.
“We live and breathe it now, it was something we had been thinking about in our own lives for a while,” Mrs Brereton said.
Hello Hemi owner Liv Harris spent the majority of her life living in Bendigo before relocating to Geelong, but is back in central Victoria showcasing her handmade jewellery and accessories at the market.
“I’ve always loved being creative and I did have a business years ago and when my children came along I had to put it aside, but I felt that something was missing so now I’m back into it,” Mr Harris said.
Mrs Harris sees her stall as much more than a market stand, but more like another one of her children.
“The name Hello Hemi came from the fact I always wanted a little girl, but I had two little boys… so Hemi is what we would’ve called our little girl,” Mrs Harris laughed.
Balls for your mind owner Fiona Stone from Woodend was at the market to show visitors the magic and benefits of juggling.
Ms Stone has been making, selling and teaching juggling for 18 years.
“Years ago my partner came back from England and said juggling was going off there, so we learned how to make juggling balls and it all started from there,” Ms Stone said.
Ms Stone said juggling helped with hand-eye coordination and brain function.
“Juggling is great for everyone, young and old as it helps keep the brain active,” Ms Stone said.
The Creators Market was held at the Bendigo Stadium and travels to different towns throughout Victoria.
