The Big Design Market

If there's one thing that a Melbourne Summer is full of (apart from old men wearing too tight budgie smugglers on St Kilda Beach and teeny boppers cramming up cinemas) it's design markets. And every year without fail the mother of all markets, The Big Design Market, graces us with its presence and fills us up with enough designy goodness to last a whole year. How considerate. And when we're all becoming desperate for those last minute Christmas pressies for Great Uncles who drink too much whisky and Aunties who have weird cat obsessions, this years Big Design Market's timing was quite impeccable.

Beginning on December 6th the Market ran across three huge days that brought together a massive collection of Australian an International designers crammed into the Royal Exhibition Building. Brimming with jewellery, ceramics, homewares, stationary, accessories and kid's products, this market is filled with more talent than you can poke a stick at. It's a great opportunity to pick up new products from established designers, such as the eclectic jewellery from Emily Green, and check out the great work being done by emerging artists, like the graphic contemporary clothing from Polli. There were glasses from Bailey Nelson (approved by Collingwood Hipsters), quirky terrariums from the Petite Green or, my personal favourite,  the distinctive feature jewellery from Stannard Inc. 

I myself managed to cross of most of my Christmas shopping in just one afternoon here, allowing me to avoid the crowds and faint sweaty smells that department stores get around this jolly season. Presents were sourced and purchased for the spoilt cousin who already has everything, the nerdy brother who has his eyes somehow superglued to the computer screen, the picky mother who enjoys gardening and the best friend who's present must be amazeness wrapped up. I have to say, I left licking my lips like a satisfied Cheshire Cat. And if all that shopping made you thirsty there were places to grab food, coffee and, to ease the pain of your credit card expenditure, alcohol!

If you missed it this year, don't stress too much, I'm sure your loved ones will pretend to enjoy your second rate gifts, but next year make sure you head down to what is Australia's biggest and best design market. There was something to satisfy everyone in this warehouse of awesomeness this year and I'm sure 2014 will be no different. It truly is everything I could hope and dream of in a market. Well, almost. To my deepest sorrow there were no unicorn rides available...but i'm sure next year they'll sort out that little issue.