Crafts of love
2011-01-30 10:00
On the first Saturday of every month, Durban comes alive with a plethora of art, craft and beautiful things at the I Heart Market.
This trendy artisan market provides a platform for local designers and foodies to showcase their work, and is a brilliant opportunity to purchase fresh and inspired hand-crafted and locally sourced products.
The I Heart Market is run by The Joy Team, Anna Savage and Saki Butler, who combine their talents in fashion and food to create this popular market.
The market began in 2008 as a scattering of quaint craft, book and vintage stalls on the pavement outside the St Mary’s Church Hall in Windermere Road.
After expanding into the church hall, the market continued to gain popularity and last March moved to larger premises.
The new home of I Heart Market is at the grand old colonial DLI Hall in the middle of Greyville Racecourse, surrounded by palm trees, lawns, a bowling green and loads of parking.
The market is a hub of all things creative and fashionable, and has a huge dose of quality, colour and vibe.
And the quirky ambience and mix of vendors attract a range of shoppers, not just the hipsters of Durban.
The 50-plus stalls fill the hall and spill out into the open-air corridors, courtyard and garden.
The vibrant space is filled with an eclectic assortment of wares and you’ll need plenty of time to scour the stalls.
Among the delights are small vintage treasures, pretty dresses, beautiful artworks, antiques, handbags, delightful stationery, unusual jewellery, adorable soft toys as well as many more out-of-the-ordinary odds and ends.
You can enjoy a delicious breakfast or lunch with coffee while you shop and purchase takeaway treats such as preserves, cupcakes, fresh veggies, hormone-free meats, and mountains more.
Some of my personal favourites include the retro kitchenalia from Mint, tiny ceramic heart and animal brooches in delicious colours from Token, vintage children’s books and puzzles beautifully packaged by Hey Cherry, stunning recycled paper-crafted flowers from Freshly Found and vintage scrabble broaches by Moxie Made. Follow your heart down to the market and spoil yourself with heaps of gorgeous goodies and sweet treats made with love.
» The next I Heart Market is on Saturday at the DLI Hall, 5 DLI Avenue, Greyville.
Open from 8.30am to 1pm.
Contact thejoyteam@gmail.com or visit iheartmarket.blogspot.com
- City Press