shop handmade canberra

The independent design scene in Canberra consistently rumbles, but perhaps not as audibly as it does in our larger, and assumed cooler, cities. The recently opened Shop Handmade however, is turning some curious eyes towards the nation's capital.

Established by the avid women behind Canberra's popular Handmade Market, Shop Handmade labels itself a designer collective; a retail space offering indie designers a unique opportunity to sell their creations. Shop Handmade showcases both local and interstate makers in a dynamic retail environment right at the heart of Canberra's CBD. The two-fold brilliance of the shop is it offers designers a much needed retail space to have their work seen, and allows the public daily tangible access to these independent products, something that was previously limited in Canberra. (Two already existing but petite places of note however are the Hive Gallery in Braddon and the Craft ACT gallery shop).

Utilising a rent-this-space system, there is an ever-rotating collection of handmade products on display at Shop Handmade. At any one time there will be work from around 80 individual designers available, meaning the breadth and variety of treasures is superb. Products range from recycled lamps and hand-printed textiles to customisable cookies, and are made using intriguing techniques such as letterpress or silver-smithing. Each designer that sells their wares is selected through a detailed application and interview process, aiming to ensure integrity of the items being sold. Another endearing quality of the store is the mix of established makers and debut designers being shown simultaneously. Admired products previously seen floating around can be found here, or sensational new talent can be discovered.

The ambience of Shop Handmade is sweet and pretty. The space purposefully acts as a blank canvas, (and a glossy one at that), to appropriately feature the product designs. Small details such as wall-papered panels and cute little cupboards give the store a fanciful feel, and this dewy glow fuels a desire to seek out some raw and challenging products in contrast. Importantly, Shop Handmade is welcoming and one can either take a thorough and satisfying investigation into each shelf, cubicle, hanger and cabinet, or engage the help of the knowledgeable staff to pinpoint an exact item or designer. Overall, the unwavering dedication to independent art and design that Shop Handmade revolves around means it is an alluring concept to be involved in, whether a shopper, a maker, or both.

Shop Handmade is located at 20 Allara Street, City Walk Blvd Canberra, and open:
Mon - Thu 9.30am to 5.00pm
Fri - 9.30am to late-ish
Saturday - 9.30am to 2.00pm

To take a virtual look inside visit the blog at www.shophandmadecanberra.blogspot.com. (This also provides information on applying to retail).

Enquiries can be made by emailing shop@handmademarket.com.au or phoning: 02 6156 3274.

All images courtesy of Shop Handmade.