Current Issue #488

Bowerbird Bazaar and the sustainable market

Bowerbird Bazaar and the sustainable market

Sustainability is a common thread among the designers featuring in Bowerbird in November.

Adelaide’s unmissable biannual event  is built on creative collaboration which supports Australian artists, designers and makers – it’s where heartfelt passion for producing artisan-made goods meets the market.

The global demand for natural resources is insatiable due to the continued growth in population and global economy. Environmental protection is becoming an increasing priority for many and the future of humanity relies on understanding the importance of preserving Earth’s utilities, making sustainability a growing focus for the art and design industry.

Father daughter team, Kristal Ruchs and Peter Spencer are the creative duo behind Winestains, handcrafting unique and modern homeware designs from recycled wine barrels in their Barossa Valley backyard. Their goal is to leave a lighter footprint by reversing the trend of consumption and reducing their use of new timber by salvaging and repurposing wine barrels.

“We live in such a throw-away society and there is so much wastage because of it. Salvaging these old wine barrels and turning them into something useful and beautiful gives us so much joy and minimises the impact on our environment and the use of new timbers,” Ms Ruchs told The Adelaide Review.

In addition to this sustainable reuse, for every design sold one tree is planted to reduce deforestation through their affiliation with trees.org.

Jacek Kowalski and Wayne Oliveri are two men with a passion for interior design and a love for nature, so when the two joined forces, WajaCreations was born.

Together they take sustainable materials like recycled timber, reusable moulds and plants, and repurpose them to create bespoke craft pieces with personality. Pieces include succulents, cacti and indoor plants.

What started as a hobby for the pair three years ago in Sydney soon turned into a bespoke passion, taking them and their goods to markets across Australia.

“As we have grown we not only attend markets in Melbourne, but have begun to venture to Adelaide, Canberra and Sydney – allowing us to build up regular clients, followers and friends,” said Mr Kowalski.

Winestains and WajaCreations are just two of the many sustainable designers to be found at Bowerbird this year. Macrame DIY kits from Knot Modern, artisan knives hand forged from discarded items from Dogboy Knives and luxurious soft wardrobe essentials from Naked Bamboo are among the many stalls that will be plying their artisans wares at the Showgrounds this month.

Bowerbird Design Market 
Adelaide Showground
Friday, November 23 – 4pm-9pm
Saturday, November 24 – 10am – 5pm
Sunday, November 25 – 10am – 5pm

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