30 Years of Tropical Craft
HO, HO, HOW’S that Christmas shopping going? Save some pennies for the end of the month… The Green Ant Christmas Craft Fair returns to the Royal Darwin Showgrounds, celebrating 30 years of supporting Top End artists, designers and makers!
With around 150 stalls brimming with everything from preserves to photography, jewellery, children’s toys, funky textiles and more, it’s the perfect place to finish off a spot of Christmas shopping.
Held over two days in the air-conditioned comfort of the Foskey Pavilion and Rotary Hall, you’re sure to find a truly unique pressie made with love.
“If you do your shopping at the craft fair, you can send gifts all over Australia and you know the people you send them to aren’t going to be able to buy that in the local shop,” says Boo, one of the organisers of the fair, also a local fabric designer.
Started by local potter Di Whittaker 31 years ago, the fair – formerly known as the Marrara Christmas Craft Fair – has gone from strength to strength, outgrowing Marrara Indoor Stadium, necessitating the need for a larger venue.
This year, some exciting goodies to keep an eye out for include brightly coloured fine art prints, greeting cards, fabrics and Babushka dolls by Marita Albers, and quirky sculptures inspired by iconic Top End critters such as bin chickens – aka the white ibis – and geckos by Simone Porrovecchio.
“Simone does fantastic, cute but macabre sculptures … some very quirky Top End inspired stuff,” says Boo.
You can also expect a truly dazzling array of earrings, as well as delectable treats, such as handmade chocolates with local nuts, fruits, ginger, berries and other toppings from Charlotte’s Web Darwin Chocolate Factory. Yummo!
But for the organisers, the real buzz comes from supporting local makers who are passionate about what they do.
“I love getting to know all the makers and providing an opportunity for makers to reach audiences and find new customers.”
Green Ant Christmas Craft Fair
WHEN SAT 27 – SUN 28 NOV 9AM-4PM
AT DARWIN SHOWGROUNDS
COST $2 | FREE CHILD
INFO greenantcraftfair.com
Thumbnail & header: Marita Albers
