A charming collection of signed prints, greeting cards and a new range of jewellery by Claire Cimbora from Schmooks

Iggy & Lou Lou and benconservato, two of the Australian indie labels participating in the Indie Avalanche of Prizes, a joint project by indie art & design and The Finders Keepers.

The next Sydney Finders Keepers Markets is fast approaching! On Friday & Saturday (4th & 5th December 2009), Carriageworks will once again come alive with a crazy array of art, design & craft products. You'll be able to do all your Christmas shopping at once!

YOUR CHANCE TO WIN INDIE... BIG TIME!

Announcing: indie art & design and The Finders Keepers have joined forces to give you the chance to win the BEST CHRISTMAS PRESENT EVER with the INDIE AVALANCHE OF PRIZES!

Cover art by Kevin Tran, featured on the gorgeous booklet of labels accompanying tickets in the Indie Avalanche of Prizes, a joint project by indie art & design and The Finders Keepers.

In fact, we have assembled 3 different indie gift hampers valued at over AUD $1200 each! The gifts have been provided by 24 of our favourite indie labels, and for $5, a ticket can be yours! $2 from each ticket purchased will be donated to Oxfam, and with every ticket, you'll also receive a very special booklet we've had printed, featuring artwork by Kevin Tran (who created the December Markets flyer) on the front cover, and images from each participating label inside!

Sarah Rothe and feedthedog, two of the Australian indie labels participating in the Indie Avalanche of Prizes, a joint project by indie art & design and The Finders Keepers.

The incredible Indie Avalanche of Prizes will be on display at the event, where you'll be able to meet us in person! Artists & designers have given us some of their favourite pieces, including an original painting by benconservato, a 'PaperCuts Small Fan Pendant' by Sarah Rothe, a very special hand printed and embroidered cusion by feedthedog, gorgeous ceramic pendants by Iggy & Lou Lou, a sterling silver 'lovebirds' pendant by a skulk of foxes, exquisite feathered head bands by South for the Summer and many more gifts from Nikki Catalano, edward & lilly, Bonnie Poplar, little white dish, Trove, Simone Walsh, Umbrella Prints, Little Jane St, Non-Fiction, Mainichi, Made by White, Saffron Craig, Lark, geritom71, Duckcloth, Gaye Abandon, me and amber and Chimney House Shoes.

South for the Summer and a skulk of foxes, two of the Australian indie labels participating in the Indie Avalanche of Prizes, a joint project by indie art & design and The Finders Keepers.

Stay tuned as we'll be revealing more later in the week! To enter in the draw & grab your chance at winning the best Christmas-gift-to-self you could dream of, come and visit us at the Non-Fiction/indie art & design stall! We'd love to say hello, and hope to see you soon...

Our thanks to D&O Printing, Artarmon, for their generous sponsorship!

Flyer for The Finders Keepers designer markets at the Old Museum in Brisbane.
We always look forward to seeing whose artwork appears on the Finders Keepers flyer... This incredibly delicate fauna & flora girl was drawn by Brisbane artist Courtney Brims. (Her web site is to-die-for!)

The Finders Keepers markets are heading north, with the first Brisbane markets planned for Saturday 31st October and Sunday 1st November.

The markets have been hugely successful in Sydney, and now independent Brisbane makers will have a chance to showcase their designs locally! Indies from interstate will also have the chance to expose their talents to an eager Brisbane audience.

Applications are about to close (Friday 11th Sept - that's tomorrow!), so if you're interested in a stall, get along to www.thefinderskeepers.com where it is easy to apply online.

The Finders Keepers are always looking for fresh, new talent to keep the markets interesting & diverse, and encourage applications from makers who produce creative, original work, have a commitment to developing their label, and have a professional approach and uniqueness in the marketplace.