Brisk trade and a strong crowd were the order of the day at Saturday’s Scone Homegrown + Handmade Christmas Market.

Kerv café in Liverpool Street Scone hosted the popular quarterly market. More than 45 stallholders displayed a variety of wares that are sure to fill many a Christmas stocking and grace all number of dining tables across the festive season.

POWER FM broadcasted live from the markets and the radio commentators did a fantastic job in raising awareness of the Magic Garden project and associated market raffle and silent auction; proceeds from which will assist in creating a safe sensory playground at Scone Public School for children with special needs.  The Magic Garden total fundraising efforts has nearly reached $100,000 and requires about $50,000 to complete the project.  Anyone wanting to donate to the Magic Garden Project please contact Alicia Pittman 0427 451 988.  If you are a builder / paver / landscaper or signwriter you may wish to assist with the construction works required to complete this project.

A cool summer handmade creations fashion parade was held during the day and $200 in market money draws found its way into the shopping bags of a number of lucky market-goers.

“The temperature was certainly warm but the turnout from both stallholders and buyers was fantastic,” said Amelia Wilkinson, director of the EVENT storeroom and organiser of the Scone Homegrown + Handmade Market. “Stall holders spoke very positively of their overall sales and popular items were gone very early in the day! All of the Alexander Downs Christmas Hams were sold by 9am so they arranged another load from their premises at Merriwa to service the demand of market goers."

Thank you to the Kerv Cafe management, John + Taka, and staff for being the host venue for the quarterly Scone Homegrown + Handmade in 2012.  A big thank you to our market staff Danielle, Kylie & Fiona for their constant smiles and assistance and our delightful facepainter Sophie. 
 
Merry Christmas to all our many market goers & stallholders.

Sunny skies welcomed bumper crowds at Saturday's Scone Homegrown + Handmade Market.

A variety of new stallholders showcased their wares and extended trading hours assisted in stallholders recording strong sales for the day

Market EFTPOS facilities were again on offer with market organiser, the EVENT Storeroom's Amelia Wilkinson, reporting that the convenience of EFTPOS greatly assisted sales.

"The Spring market introduced a Spring Handmade Creations Fashion Parade with all items on the catwalk available for sale at the markets," reports Amelia. "It was great to see this select showcase of the design talent from our region. Thank you to the Scone Grammar School for loaning the stage and to our keen junior models. Parade organiser Wendy Bennett and compere Mary Spora did a fabulous job and we certainly appreciated their involvement."

The EVENT storeroom ran two Market Money Competitions during the day with two $50 draws made for lucky market goers and the winner of the Upper Hunter Hamper valued at $70 was Jodie Stafford.

"Don't forget to get in early and order your Christmas Hampers from Meredith Bowman at Upper Hunter Hampers!" advises Amelia.

Market visitors would have spotted Andrea Idstein and her team from the Murrurundi Frontier Festival who came dressed in period costume to promote the festival celebrations which will be held on 20 October. The market also saw volunteers selling raffle tickets in aid of the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service. The Raffle will be drawn by country music artist + multiple golden guitar winner, Adam Harvey, at the Agriplex Group Westpac Rescue Helicopter Fundraising Ball on Saturday 27 October at the Scone Golf Club. If you didn't get your tickets on Saturday please call into Agriplex Group in Kelly Street, Scone to purchase them - tickets are $2 each or three for $5.

"The Spring market had a more balanced market with the offerings for sale however we are still keen to see more locally grown produce and boys attire and toys for the next quarterly market," commented Amelia.

The Christmas Market scheduled for Saturday 15 December is already shaping as a huge affair and promises Christmas shoppers an ideal opportunity to fill their baskets.

"The Scone Homegrown + Handmade market would not be possible without the efforts of John, Taka and the staff of Kerv Cafe as well as the EVENT storeroom Market staff: Dannielle, Kylie, Emily and Fiona - we certainly look forward to working with them again in December," said Amelia.

For information regarding the December market or to book a stall please contact Amelia Wilkinson on 0400 099 761 or info@theeventstoreroom.com.au. You can also find the Scone Homegrown + Handmade Market on Facebook.

It's time to celebrate Spring! The seasonal flowers are in bloom, the mercury is rising, and the skies are blue ... what better way to spend a few hours on Saturday then to attend the popular Scone Homegrown + Handmade market.

Mark it in the diary - this Saturday the 15 September at Kerv Café with extended market trading hours by request from 8am to 2pm.

There are a range of new initiatives for stallholders and market goers alike. They include a Handmade Creations Fashion Parade where stallholders will showcase their spring fashions, jewellery, hats and hair accessories.

Well-known retailer Prue Robertson from Potter MacQueen Boutique and Gift Shop has been retained as a consultant for the September market to assist with the set up and display of the Co-Op trading table.  Prue will also visit each stall site to answer any questions stallholders may have on presentation and styling products to make them as visually appealing as possible.

"Potter MacQueen is located in the main shopping thoroughfare in Scone and retails in accessories, homewares, jewellery, clothing and giftware," advises market organiser and the EVENT Storeroom proprietor Amelia Wilkinson. "We certainly look forward to having Prue share her retail trading tips with us."

A variety of new stallholders will showcase their wares at the Spring Market and market visitors will discover more local produce and food as well as clothing and accessories not only for the girls but for the boys as well.

Market EFTPOS facilities will again be on offer and the EVENT storeroom will run two Market Money Competitions on the day with two $50 draws to be made for lucky market goers; "So don't forget to fill in the entry forms available at each stall site!" advises Amelia.

The laid back ambience of Kerv café doesn't just cater for the adults attending the market; young visitors can look forward to free face painting and colouring in activities.

"We also look forward to welcoming members of the local Westpac Rescue Helicopter Support Group to the Spring market," says Amelia. "We encourage everyone to support this worthwhile cause by buying a raffle ticket from market day volunteers. Who knows where or when we might need this valuable service. The raffle will be drawn at the Agriplex Group Westpac Rescue Helicopter Black Tie Ball at the Scone Golf Club on Saturday 27 October by Country Music Artist and Golden Guitar winner Adam Harvey who will be performing live at the Ball." 

There are still a few remaining stallholder sites available for Saturday's market but get in quickly as stall site bookings will close this Thursday.

For questions regarding the Spring market please contact Amelia Wilkinson on 0400 099 761 or info@theeventstoreroom.com.au. You can also find the Scone Homegrown + Handmade Market on Facebook.

Saturday’s Scone Homegrown + Handmade market proved a huge success. A full house of just under 40 vendors meant no shortage of choice for shoppers.

Hosted at the popular Scone café KERV the market featured a wide variety produce and wares including fresh seasonal flowers, local meats, berries, milk, cheese, olive oil, spices, chutneys, sauces, vinegars, jams and sushi, plus dips, sweet treats and wine. Locally designed and produced offerings from the Upper Hunter district included a range of home furnishings, linen, infant and children's apparel, toys and accessories, hand dyed clothing, crochet hats and goods, hand bags, jewellery, woollen scarves & wraps, candles and handcrafted wooden products.  For the gardeners there was also a variety of local potted plants, handcrafted garden ornaments, natural fertilisers and various other products related to worm farming.

“The rain stayed away and this was reflected in excellent shopper numbers and market turnover,” commented the EVENT Storeroom director and market organiser Amelia Wilkinson. “Stallholders recorded some great sales and we have received some very positive feedback from people who travelled from across the Upper Hunter Shire and beyond to sample some of this area’s fabulous homegrown and handmade offerings.”

Her words were reflected by Denman resident and market visitor Jody Sowter who said “What a great market! I loved the quality of product and the location was perfect. Well done to all involved. I am looking forward to the September market.”

The newly introduced EFTPOS facilities proved popular with market attendees with shoppers able to conveniently pay for participating stallholder goods using their Debit Card, Visa or Mastercard at the central market cashier station.

Amelia said the success of the market would not have been possible without the hard work of the EVENT storeroom market staff as well as John, Taka and staff from Kerv Café.

“Planning is well underway for the Spring market to be held on Saturday 15 September with the Summer market primed for Christmas shoppers on 15 December,” said Amelia. “We are also keen to attract more fresh local produce stallholders to our next market to balance up the Handmade + Handcrafted wares which are currently very well represented. Interested stallholders are certainly encouraged to contact me to discuss their potential involvement.”

Mark your diary. The next quarterly Scone Homegrown + Handmade market will take place on Saturday week - June 16 - at Kerv Cafe, Liverpool Street, Scone from 8am-12 noon.

Following the success of the inaugural market in early March close to 40 stallholders have registered their interest for the June market.

"The interest from vendors has been overwhelming and we have had to now close any further stallholder registrations," says the EVENT Storeroom proprietor and market organiser Amelia Wilkinson. "If anyone still wishes to take part we would suggest booking one of the few remaining spaces on the Harvest + Home cooking Co-Op or Handmade Co-Op Trading Tables."

A full house from the vendor perspective means no shortage of choice for shoppers. The market will boast a wide variety of local homegrown and handmade produce and wares available for purchase. These include fresh seasonal flowers, baked sweet treats, fresh local produce; berries, eggs, milk, meat, cheese, olive oil, spices, chutneys, sauces, vinegars, jams and sushi, plus warm winter soups, dips and wine. Locally designed and produced offerings from the Upper Hunter district include a range of home furnishings, linen, infant and children's apparel, toys and accessories, hand dyed clothing, crochet hats and goods, hand bags, jewellery, woolen scarves & wraps, candles and handcrafted wooden products.  For the gardeners there will be a variety of local potted plants, handcrafted garden ornaments, compost worms and worm farms, natural fertilisers and various other products related to worm farming.

Free face painting will be provided for children.

Popular local café KERV will host the market with the shop's front windows currently displaying a market inspired display created by Camilla Wylie from STEM - the Art of Flowers (who has a stall at the markets selling fresh flowers).

EFTPOS payment facilities will be introduced to assist market shoppers.

Shoppers will be able to conveniently pay for participating stallholder goods using this facility via Debit Card, Visa or Mastercard at the central market cashier station (Amex, Diners transactions or access to cash will not be available through this facility).

 Market shoppers will also have the opportunity to win a market day spending spree to the value of $50 courtesy of the EVENT storeroom.  On arrival at the markets simply fill in your name and contact details on the entry forms provided and place them in the draw - which will be made at 10.30am.  Names will be drawn out but the person will need to be present to receive their prize and will have an hour and half to make their purchase/s using the voucher before the market finishes at 12noon.

For more information please contact market organiser; Amelia Wilkinson, the EVENT storeroom, Scone - T: 0400099761 or info@theeventstoreroom.com.au