Preserve the planet with Fancy Work

Mosman Markets

Why making things yourself is joyously cool again:
I love markets!!   Richard Glover does too. His article, 'Preserve the Planet with Fancy Work'  in Spectrum, March 9-10 2019 has inspired this post.

'Joyously cool' - resonates with me.  I'm a serial artisan, beginning on my first day of  Kindergarten when I created the  "Best pig the teacher had ever seen!"  I can still recall the musky aroma of the pink plasticine.   Since then I've dabbled in many crafts; pottery, silkscreening, weaving and now writing, so I'm familiar with the enormous satisfaction of the creative process.  

Richard speaks about: "A small southern Tablelands town of Taralga's, 133rd annual Agricultural Show - where you can enter your jams and preserves, your homebrew, or even your 'Fancy Work', a category that embraces everything from beanie to best cushion.

There's also a poetry competition, a gardening festival, a cooking contest plus the 'Dog Jump'.

Apparently, according to Richard Glover,  "Making your own stuff is suddenly the new thing."  He questions why things have turned around after a few decades of a somewhat throwaway society attitude gradually evolved to the extent where it seemed eccentric to darn our socks or try to fix things.

His idea is that the turning point is a revulsion with the waste of the throw-out world we created.  A new generation sees the art of making, fixing and growing as part of the central project of their lives ie the effort to save the planet.  Observing his son showing interest and competence in growing and fixing etc, Glover expresses cheerful admiration while admitting that 'Being good with your hands' somehow skipped a generation for some.

The Easter Show showcases the amazing handicrafts and produce although this year, apparently the fewer displays demonstrate that the country is in drought.

Mosman Market is a quality art and craft market with approx 140 art and craft stalls, with gourmet food, musical entertainment, and a lively atmosphere, showing that there are still many city folk who "are good with their hands".

The Mosman Market is held on the first Saturday of the month from 8am to 3pm on the Mosman Square ; Village Green at Spit Junction.

There is no January Market. There is an EasterFeast Night Market held in March, a WinterFeast Night Market held in July, an OctoberFeast Night Market held in October and an Evening Christmas Market held in December.