Creative Christmas
CAN YOU BELIEVE Christmas is just around the corner? Luckily, there’s no need to panic about your Chrissy shopping this year – Tactile Arts have your gift needs sorted at their mega two-day annual Christmas Craft Fair!
Head down to the Darwin Convention Centre and spend a relaxing day or two in air-conditioned comfort perusing the abundance of Top End creativity on display.
With over 100 stalls offering funky prints, fabrics, ceramics, jewellery, clothing, homewares, Christmas decorations and more, you’re sure to find a special something for that special someone on your gift list.
This year also sees some exciting new developments at the fair, including an exclusive Friday night VIP shopping event night – with a bar and canapés – for those lucky enough to get an invitation.
There’s also plenty of fun activities designed to get everyone in the crafty Christmas spirit, with a designated space for kids and teens to get stuck into making their own handmade goodies.
“Expect the kids to be able to get involved in mobile making with some festive themes, ornaments for the Christmas tree and possibly some Christmas cards. It’ll be a very fun, creative environment,” says Tactile Arts General Manager Tessa Duke.
You’re also treated to unique insights into the creative process behind the works on display, with some inspirational artist demonstrations.
“We wanted to take this opportunity to make the event really engaging … for people to be able to see what it is like for someone to actually create the work that they’re purchasing from the stalls,” says Duke.
A record four Aboriginal art centres are also joining the fair this year, including Inkuntji Artists, Anindilyakwa Arts and Merrepen Arts. Be sure to pick up some stunning screen-printed fabrics, traditional woven baskets or beautiful pandanus earrings for your friends and fam – and maybe yourself!
Some other special pieces to keep an eye out for this year include high quality glass plates, platters and jewellery by Glass of Fire’s Christine Stewart, gorgeous botanical polymer earrings by Felicity Shute – aka Ruby Tuesday Designs – and cute crocheted cacti, flamingos and gingerbread men by Julianne Gifford of Juli’s Handmade Stuff.
With a chill-out zone to sit down and have a bite to eat, and a selfie station so you can snap your memories of the day to take home with you, Tactile Arts’ Christmas Craft Fair is so much more than just Christmas shopping – it’s a creative feast for the senses.
Tactile Arts Christmas Craft Fair
WHEN SAT 20 & SUN 21 NOV | 9AM-3PM
AT DARWIN CONVENTION CENTRE
COST $5 | $8 WEEKEND PASS | FREE U16
INFO tactilearts.org.au
Header & thumbnail: Ruby Tuesday Designs
Top: Juli's Handmade Stuff
Bottom: Glass of Fire
