I’d been really looking forward to my first trip to Magnolia Square, a temporary market in Malvern Town Hall full of beautiful handmade things. Evidently, all of Melbourne’s yummy mummies had the same idea and it could easily have been mistaken for a pram convention. I felt like I was missing an accessory!
To get you in the cutesy mood, at the entrance Crabapple Cupcakes had a delectable stall of cupcakes. Unfortunately their pretty coatings were undone by a sub-par cupcake (I tried two, in the interests of research) – much too solid for my liking. Even Little Cupcakes were better.
If I had a baby or more babies to buy for then I would have gone nuts inside. As it was, there were lots of merchants worth noting, either for their products and/or their beautifully decorated stalls:
Ellani Petite – cute hair bows made of French and English ribbon and pretty fabric-covered button hair ties.
Adorning AL - a new online business run by two girls which sells stick wall mirrors in cute shapes. Perfect for kids’ rooms, although I was tempted by the tree mirror for myself ($49.95). But after the debacle with the ghost clock I’m too scared to buy decorative homewares without RM’s approval anymore!
Little Nest – Samantha Firestone’s former day job was to make furniture for hotels. When she had kids, she couldn’t find any funky furniture that she liked, so she decided to make her own kid-sized designer replica furniture, from Arne Jacobsen’s Egg Chair to Eames’ Vitra loungechair and footstool. One day I could buy a Le Corbusier for mini-me to match my adult sized Le Petit Comfort!
Maggie & Sparrow – colourful handmade quilts and animal mobiles, plus a stall reminiscent of a fairy dreamland.
Gertie and Me – Handmade toys for young and the young-at-heart. I couldn’t resist the adorable toy daschund ($20) but RM didn’t like him. What do you think? They were also selling a set of three large nesting baskets lined with white cotton waffle fabric for the bargain price of $25, but unfortunately I couldn’t think of a use for them.
Michel’s Fine Biscuit Co – They also sell at the Farmers Markets at my local farmers markets at Collingwood Children’s Farm, which means I can continue a ready supply of these oh-so-moreish fruit and nut cream-filled buttery biscuits ($12).
Pastry Lounge – tempting little tartlets with savoury and sweet fillings ($3). Their delicious poached plum and limoncello tartlet contained a crumby almond shortbread with baked vanilla plums, but the piece de resistance was the baked rhubarb and cream tartlets with a fluffy orange and cardamon scented cheesecake. Gorgeous! They sell at various farmers markets but unfortunately not near me.
Sambellina - Pretty partywear stationary, although what really caught my eye was the adorable tea party table-setting.
Milk - My brush with fame! As well as being tall, slim, beautiful and friendly, Lindy Klim is the business woman behind a range of organic baby products. Her husband, the famous ex-swimmer Michael Klim, developed the men’s range also known as Milk.
The market continues until Saturday. Get ready to gush!
thanks for the post. I wish I was there – maybe I’ll make the xmas one. I love love love the children’s furniture from littlenest and maggie and sparrow animal mobiles
Hi KatieQ, I’m defnitely going to get along to the next market for some funky Christmas gifts, especially for all my friends’ little ones. And it’s a much more pleasant way to do your Christmas shopping than battling the crowds in a shopping centre.
I bought a Tshirt – label ‘Monday’ at this year’s market at Malvern 2009 does anyone know how I can contact the sellers??
Hi Mandy
I think your best bet might be to email Magnolia Square directly (just follow the hyperlink on the post) and describe the stall and Tshirt. Good luck!
Jetsetting Joyce