Winter market returns from hibernation

AFTER a year out in the cold, the Ballarat Design Exchange Winter Market is ready to make its comeback, with around 60 designers and small businesses from all over Victoria invited to make an appearance.

The curated event accepts stallholders by application only, ensuring the quality and variety of items for sale are kept to a top-notch standard.

Organiser Lyndelle Flintoft said while it’s a challenge to “pull any event off at the moment”, it’s fantastic to “get something running.”

“For all the stallholders, they’re so used to their events being canceled. So it’s really great for them to be able to have somewhere to show their product (once again),” she said.

“Most of them do this for a living – they’re professionals, and they make amazing products. They’re the top of the range of talents.

“And it’s just great for the community to have an event that they can come out to be a part of as well.”

Ms Flintoft said that, given the events of the past 12 months or so, the market’s focus on locally made items is something that is expected to resonate even more with visitors.

“COVID has been a catalyst and people are really aware where things are coming from now, and I think that’s brilliant,” she said.

“We should all be supporting Australian made and ethically produced products.”

The Ballarat Design Exchange Winter Market takes place at the Ballarat Mining Exchange, Lydiard Street North on Saturday, 10 July between 4pm and 9.30pm and Sunday, 11 July from 10am to 3pm.

For more info visit thedesignexchange.com.au.