This is such a busy time of year, and if you’re like me, there just isn’t enough hours in the day to get everything done. I’ve always aspired to make personalised Christmas gifts but I find that each year I’m a little busier and I just run out of time.
So it got me to thinking, what’s the next best thing? Buying handmade {and local}! It’s still a gift made with love and you’re supporting local small businesses and artists. It’s win/win.
There are many independent makers and artists out there ready with the perfect gift for your loved one. You can find a huge range of different handmade wares if you know where to look. Things like photographs, paintings, clothing, quilts, soaps and beauty products, jewellery, toys, handbags, books, toys, just to name a few.
In Bendigo and surrounds we’re lucky, we have some great opportunities to hunt for those perfect handmade gifts.
Local Shops
- Bob boutique – 17 Williamson Street Bendigo
- Tribe – 227 Barker Street Castlemaine
- Uniquely Bendigo – Bendigo Visitor Centre 54 – 67 Pall Mall Bendigo
- Made in Common – 402a Hargreaves Street Bendigo
- Unique options – 141 Charleston Road Bendigo
Pop up shops
- Bendigo Makers Crib featuring 19 local designers – Monday 14 Dec – Sunday 20 Dec – 9am – 6.30pm – The Schaller Studio (Bendigo Hospital grounds)
Local handmade markets
- Trove Makers Market – Sunday 13 December
- Moonlight Market – Saturday 5 December
- Handmade Market – Saturday 12 December
- Castlemaine Artists Market – Friday 18 December
There are regular markets that host makers as well …
- Bendigo Showgrounds Market – on each Sunday at the Bendigo Show Grounds
- Wesley Hill Market – Wesley Hill Castlemaine
Galleries that sell local & handmade works
- Bendigo Art Gallery Shop – View Street Bendigo
- Bendigo Pottery – 146 Midland Highway Epsom
- Falkner Gallery – 35 Templeton Street Castlemain
- Little Sister Gallery – 69 Mollison Street Malmsbury
Local online shopping
We know it can sometimes be difficult to get out to the shops (especially if you have a baby or toddler!) – online shopping can be another great option.
Retail outlets
Bob Boutique // Uniquely Bendigo // Bendigo Pottery
Individual makers & artists
There are many individual makers and artists offering online shops. These are the ones we know about… (if you know of any more, email the business name and link to events@atchristmas.com.au)
JLee Homewares & Accessories // Talking red (kids clothes) // Saff & Sassi (jewellery) // The bear and the whale (kids clothes) // Mills Road (candles) // Hattie loves Lil (kids clothes) // Hey Buster Clothing // Autumn Melody (jewellery)
Online groups
Online Marketplaces
There are a couple of other big online handmade marketplaces Etsy and Madeit.com.au.
Madeit.com.au
Madeit is an Australian only handmade marketplace, there are a huge range of handmade items all made here in our wonderful country.
Check out the site for a massive range of handmade goodies, and some clever gift buying guides.
Etsy
Etsy is an international online marketplace for handmade, vintage and other goodies. One of the great features is that you can filter your search and focus on local makers. Check out Etsy for some amazing handmade gifts. I’ve heard that Esty is resellers as well as makers, you can still find some beautiful things.
Local makers to check out
I’ll keep adding to this list
Portable projects – clothings + jewellery // The Bonster Inc – jewellery // Jax Fancy – fabric + wooden toys // Mainely mosaics – mosaic artwork + jewellery // Tootypegs – clothing + accessories for babies and children // Hole in the bucket – fabric dolls + accessories for children // Drummond Bodycare – natural body care // Fiso & Lottie – timber serving boards (Ballarat) // Vereker Stone – marble decor // Her Handmade (food & beverages) // Henry of Harcourt (cider) // s.cate designs (jewellery)
If you don’t have time to make something yourself, buy handmade and support our local small businesses and artists.
From the traditional to the quirky, there is a handmade gift just right for everyone.
Are you shopping handmade this year? Where’s your favourite place to buy?
If you know of a shop in Bendigo or surrounds that stocks handmade items, drop me an email to events@atbendigo.com.au.
Note: Details are accurate at time of publishing. This is not an endorsement of included shops, markets, online shops/markets. This article is for information purposes only. If there are any errors included please contact us and include the error and a link to this article.