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Locally made arts and crafts, bought direct from the people that made them (and in time for Christmas) turned last year’s inaugural Estuary Arts Centre Makers Market into a roaring success with more than 6000 visitors.
This year the pre-Christmas Makers Market will be held on November 25, providing something to do in Ōrewa ahead of the Santa Parade.
The outdoor market, alongside the arts centre and Ōrewa Estuary, will have more than 30 art and craft stalls, buskers and food trucks, while inside the art centre there will be ‘have-a-go’ art sessions and demonstrations by artists and tutors.
In the galleries there will be the annual Cash and Carry under $500 exhibition – this allows you to purchase an artwork and take it away the same day.
Among the stall holders is Michelle Impey of Ōrewa, who makes contemporary and functional work such as mugs and bowls, on her potter’s wheel.
She works fulltime as Save the Kiwi chief executive and says pottery has always fascinated her. As well as making her own, it is her go-to purchase when travelling.
“It’s heavy and breakable, so not ideal for travel, but seeing those pieces in my home brings me joy,” she says.
Creative pair Jeremy and Rachel Trotter of Ruff Tūporo in Stillwater repurpose and rework NZ wood into usable wood art. It began, Rachel says, as a result of 25 years in the sawmill industry and working with a local woodworker.
“Jeremy has always taken a keen interest in finding things that were unused, broken or unwanted and transforming them into something that has the potential to become a great piece of workable art,” she says.
The original products that the couple will bring to the market include candleholders, brisket boards, chopping blocks and wood art.
The market is on Saturday, November 25 from 11am-4pm. More info, see What’s On.
