A vendor waits for customers at an accessory stall at the Handmade Market Canberra in Exhibition Park in Canberra, Australia, April 30, 2022. (Photo by Chu Chen/Xinhua)
Organizers hope the event, which was canceled in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 restrictions, could continue to grow and connect people through handmade products in the Australian capital.
CANBERRA, May 2 (Xinhua) -- From colorful ceramics to street food of various flavors, the handmade market was back to the Australian capital after two and a half years.
The market, recognized as one of Canberra's most popular events which was canceled in 2020 and 2021 due to restrictions following the COVID-19 pandemic, was held on Saturday and Sunday with about 250 stall-holders this time.
"Really very emotional," Handmade Managing Director Julie Nichols told Xinhua. "We're really excited that it's back. The support has been overwhelming."
Budawang Pavilion of the Exhibition Park in Canberra became packed with people on Saturday, in which the gourmet food hall was teeming with scents of barbecue and pancake. In other halls, visitors were busy choosing their favorite clothes and artworks, chatting with stall-holders from time to time.
"I have loved supporting makers through the handmade online markets, but nothing beats being able to see and feel the handmade products with your own hands," long-time handmade market customer Carole said. "There is just something so special about holding a handmade product while talking directly to the person who has made it."
A man views a pottery product at the Handmade Market Canberra in Exhibition Park in Canberra, Australia, April 30, 2022. (Photo by Chu Chen/Xinhua)
Louise Martiensen came from her LouiseM Studio in Sydney about 280 km away. In her stall visitors were picking up ceramic plates with floral patterns or watercolor dishes.
"I'm really glad to be back at the handmade market in Canberra," she said. "Really missed it."
She told Xinhua that a big part of her business was being able to sell at markets. "You can sell online, but it's not quite the same as being able to come out to the markets and talk to people and have them see the work and pick it up and feel it and touch it."
Martiensen began coming to the handmade market in Canberra about six years ago. "There's just such a nice vibe in the air and it's so good to be able to re-connect with everyone," said the 34-year-old artisan. "It's good to see so many people in the room again. I know a lot of us are wearing masks now and being careful, but it does feel like life is coming back a little bit to normal."
Wu Jiawen's food stall the "Little Wu Jianbing" selling Chinese pancakes saw a long queue of customers at noon. While talking with Xinhua, she was still busy cooking with two stoves.
A woman watches a hand-made dinosaur-themed products at the Handmade Market in Exhibition Park in Canberra, Australia, April 30, 2022. (Photo by Chu Chen/Xinhua)
"I had been looking forward to the re-opening of the market for quite some time," said the Chinese stall-holder.
Now with her own restaurant in the Dickson area, which is recognized as Canberra's China Town, Wu said she actually started her business in the market.
In the past, the handmade market opened four times a year, and she came almost each time. "I have a special feeling about this market," she said.
Maybe because Saturday was the first day after the market reopened, Wu's business was so good that she had already sold several dozen of pancakes before noon.
Julie Nichols, the 54-year-old organizer, was happy to see people like Martiensen and Wu back.
"We have 600 small businesses registered with us and these types of events and markets are what keep them going, like it's their bread and butter," she said, adding that the COVID-19 pandemic has had very a big impact on the small businesses.
A woman views pottery products at the Handmade Market in Exhibition Park in Canberra, Australia, April 30, 2022. (Photo by Chu Chen/Xinhua)
The last time the market opened was in December 2019, after which they made three attempts. Once the organizer and businesses had announced the re-opening, but canceled it at the last minute.
This was their fourth go, and they took several measures to help people stay safe. Visitors were asked to check in using the Canberra-safe app, and hand sanitizers were placed in different corners of the market.
Tara Cheyne, minister for business in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), hailed the market as a "local business success story."
"Previously the handmade market happened once per quarter and provided a great platform for local and regional makers to come together," she said in a statement. "This weekend Canberrans have a great opportunity to support local and regional makers at the handmade market in person."
Nichols said she hoped that the market could continue to grow. "So that we can support and keep doing what we do, which is connecting people who love handmade products to people who make handmade products." ■
