It’s rare these days to find something exquisite that is truly handmade – individually crafted by hand with lots of love and attention. The works of Metalsmith, Paula Chavez, are made in this way and are definitely worth a look on your next visit to the market.

Hailing originally from the US, Paula is a lawyer by profession but after arriving in Australia two years ago following seven years in Europe, she now prefers to spend her time creating beautiful works using her skills in metal work and gilding. Her jewellery range including rings, earrings, cuffs, bracelets, pendants and necklaces, mostly made from silver, have proved very popular since she began as permanent stallholder earlier this year. She gets lots of repeat customers looking for original silversmith pieces and her iconic ring – made from silver or gold and including gorgeous embossed flowers and leaves with stones like garnets, citrine and white topaz – sells very well. Paula has also just branched out into producing gilded home wares including clocks and candlesticks.

You can meet Paula and browse and buy from her collection each Sunday at the markets.

Winsome Millane just loves Australian animals which is where she gets inspiration for her creations for Wilhelmina Moggs Handmade Australian Toys.

Catering mainly for children, Winsome creates a wide range of bright and colourful hand and finger puppets, soft toys, masks and tails for childrens dress-ups, as well as eye-catching hats featuring chickens of every colour. The designs are based on Australian animals and birds and her range also includes African animals such as giraffes, lions, zebras and cheetahs.

All her products are made from felt, synthetic furs and feathers and will brighten any child’s bedroom and create a sense of fun and play.

Based in Canberra, Winsome has been a part of the markets since 1998 and attends every single Sunday that the markets operate. She designs and makes every toy herself, with a little help from her ‘market tester’ Australian Kelpie dog ‘Jacka’, and sells all her products exclusively at the markets.

Marja-Leena Montonen is new to the Canberra region, and new to our markets, but she’s definitely not new to creating amazing artwork.

Taking up painting at the mere age of nine months old, she’s always loved art. And it shows in her range of original, vibrant works which impart a sense of fun and whimsy. Born in Sweden of Finnish parents, Marja-Leena moved to Australia with her Australian born husband in 2008.

Having only recently located to Yass, she’s had many different jobs over the years but, having always kept her hand in her art, is turning to it full time.  In the past her pictures have been used for puzzles in the USA, mobile phone accessories in Japan, cards for Hallmark and Christmas cards for UNICEF, and she’s also received many other accolades.

We’re delighted that Marja-Leena has just started at the markets with her range proving popular amongst market-goers who have been admiring her original paintings, canvas prints, posters, hand painted bags and very popular greeting cards.

Hilde Botten and Pieter Bouwman are a husband and wife team creating interesting and unusual stainless steel wind mobiles.

Based in Sydney, Botten and Bouwman’s Geo Mobiles move in the wind and create a beautiful display of movement and reflection. The mobiles are precision made from Marine grade stainless steel and come in three interesting shapes – circle, square and teardrop, and range in price starting from $59 each. Having started at the markets around five months ago, Hilde and Pieter will continue to be market regulars with their Geo Mobiles and will be at the 2011 Christmas Markets on Sundays only before Christmas.