Dust off your platforms, get off the Featherston, and channel your inner hipster at Retro Depot, an exciting new theme event at the Old Bus Depot Markets in Canberra which will make its inaugural appearance on Sunday 21 April 2013.

A celebration of all things retro cool, at Retro Depot you’ll find fashion, homewares, furniture, jewellery and accessories that will push your ‘groove button’.

Join us for a unique trip down memory lane and scelebrate groovy products and innovative designs from the 40s, 50s, 60s and 70s.

After moving to London to undertake a PhD in Genetics, a timing issue and a slight twist of fate had Joanna enrol in a gemmology course to pass the time until her studies commenced. This is where she met a group of jewellers and in turn, became totally hooked on making jewellery, and never looked back. Joanna’s passion for the craft began early on, and she has been creating beautiful pieces ever since.

Constantly inspired by the scientific side of her art and the relationship people share with their environment, Joanna’s pieces reflect the beauty in angles and geometry, in a very elegant medium. In fact, a recent trip to Lord Howe Island inspired a few of her best-sellers, a collection of pieces that were designed with the Lord Howe Island Christmas Bush in mind.

With a constant desire to perfect her craft, Joanna is currently taking a course at one of Australia’s leading institutions of its kind, the school of Gold and Silver smithing at the Australian National University.  Joanna is quite the busy bee, but is happy to spare her Sundays in order to attend the Old Bus Depot Markets. She enjoys conversing with customers and discussing her craft throughout the day, and also offers custom items including engagement rings. Joanna is happy to create one-of-a-kind commission pieces that market-goers may request. Her stunning designs appeal to people all across the board, but their structured design and simplicity also appeal to the discerning gentleman too.

Swap the chocolate egg hunt for a hunt for original antiques, jewellery and collectables this Easter long weekend with Portobello Road in the Shed on Sunday 31 March 2013.

Around 35 specialty stallholders descend upon the markets for Portobello Road, offering everything from colourful vases and cut lace tablecloths, to oil lamps, antique cuff links, jewellery, linens, restored furniture and more.

So take a break from the chocolate and the hot cross buns and fossick through an eclectic mix of quirky and interesting treasures. The fun is in the hunt and you’re bound to find something you love and that has a story to tell.

Join us to celebrate Canberra’s rich and diverse multicultural community and ‘travel the world’ at the markets during International Day on Sunday 17 March 2013!

Taste delicious dishes from Spain, Laos, Ethiopia, France and Mexico or enjoy the traditional dance performances throughout the day including Indian Folk Dancing, Argentine Tango and the high-energy beats of the Drum Effect.

Browse the additional specialty market stalls and you’ll find a real mix of items including handcrafted statues from Africa, Thai silk handbags from Thailand, Russian babushka art, hand painted ceramic plates from Italy, French provincial tablecloths, woollen hats from Nepal, Indian block print textiles, Vietnamese lanterns and much more.

This year marks the 100th birthday of our home town and Australia’s National Capital – Canberra! We are joining the celebrations by paying homage to our place in Canberra’s transportation history.

On Sunday 10 March 2013 we will welcome Back to the Depot to the markets, a historical display from the Retired ACT Transport Employees Club which will include a homecoming by Matilda, a 1949 ACTION Bus.

Back to the Depot will explore the early days of Canberra’s transportation system, which started in 1926 with just four bus routes.  The bus depot  (which is now our home) was built in the late 1920s, with various structures added to and removed from the building over the years.

Matilda is a 1949 AEC Regal Omnibus owned by ACTION that was serviced in the Depot. She’ll be on display alongside a historic 1942 Commonwealth Car that has been fully restored by retired mechanic Albert News.

You’ll get attached to the leather from Satch

Nothing beats the look, or the longevity, of high quality leather, and if you’re a leather lover you can’t go past the range from Satch Handbags.  An Old Bus Depot Market stallholder from way back, Kevin Seymour and his wife Margaret produce a fantastic range of ladies handbags, purses, men’s wallets and men’s belts, all in beautiful Italian leather.

Classic styles in a great range of on-trend colours are their forte.  In fact, the Seymour’s add just a couple of new styles to their repertoire each year, preferring to stick with styles that combine functionality with good looks that will stand the test of time.  What’s more, all work is guaranteed.

Kevin has around 20 years experience working with leather.  His first job after school was with a saddler, which started a lifelong interest in the material.  Also on his resume is his work with top European fashion names Chanel and Balenciaga, so you know his designs are world-class.  Together with his wife Margaret, they create leather products with an attention to detail that can’t be replicated in the chain-stores.

And you won’t find Satch Handbags in the shops either.  Kevin and Margaret prefer to sell directly to the public, with the Old Bus Depot Markets the main outlet for their popular range of leather products.  Best sellers include the two-way backpack, an innovative design which combines both shoulder bag and back-pack, and is just perfect for travel and as an on-air luggage piece.  Another style which combines microfibre and leather (aka. the budget bag) has also proved popular.

Kevin and Margaret’s commitment to customer service is exemplified by an encounter with an Old Bus Depot Markets customer around 12 years ago.  “I like your bags,” she said.  “But why is the lining all black?”  Kevin shortly found out that the lady was vision impaired, and took it upon himself to make a bag with contrasting lining and send it to her (in Darwin) at no charge.  Since that day, the bags from Satch Handbags have been available in contrasting lining.

One of the activities we have been keeping a close eye on the ‘LIKE’ Canberra campaign which has been asking people to vote for their favourite Canberra places and events.  The markets has been shortlisted and you can vote for us here.  Help us become one of Canberra’s top 100!.

The markets we think should be at the top of your centenary to-do list and we are planning some special events later in 2013 so keep an eye out on our website and social media channels.  To find out what’s happening during the centenary year around town head over to www.canberra100.com.au and celebrate Canberra’s 100th birthday in 2013.

The Old Bus Depot Markets are welcoming in the New Year with one of Canberra’s favourite shopping events, Portobello Road on Sunday 13 January 2013.

Each Portobello Road event is different and the treasures you find will vary every time. Enjoy scouring the many aisles throughout the day to see what you will find!  From items such as decorative art and fine silver to restored furniture and eye catching jewellery, the possibilities are endless!

Stallholders Philip and Julie Chapman from Charlie Foxtrot in Bowral will be bringing some of the best of their mid-century vintage items to Portobello Road on Sunday 13^th January. From vintage cufflinks and letterpress wood printing blocks to Bakelite telephones, the range from Charlie Foxtrot is inspired by the young men and women who served in the Battle of Britain in the summer of 1940.

Using recycled silver wherever possible, and taking her inspiration from nature, Emma delights in creating her unique and striking range of earrings and pendants for customers of all ages.  For those who want to keep loved ones close to heart, her personalised 3-layer and washer style pendants — customised to display the names of children, friends, partners or special dates — are not to be missed, and have proven to be some of her most popular items.   Emma can also mix and match her different designs and is always open to requests and new ideas.

Each piece — whether it’s the ‘leaf detail’ earrings or the ‘two of hearts’ pendant —  is the final result of a multi-step process which involves a great deal of polishing to get the piece to the desired sheen and finish. However, Emma finds the most fulfilling part of the process to be the customers she meets, learning about their stories and the motivations behind their purchase.

Emma will be at the markets on Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 December 2012, where she will be able to take some last minute Christmas orders. From February 2013, you can find Fickle by Design at the Old Bus Depot Markets on the last Sunday of each month.

Photos will be printed while you wait – it should only take a few minutes for you to get your prints.

The Base Pack of photos for one 8×6 photo + Two Pocket Prints will be $20, however there are a variety of package available:

Base Packs
One 8×6 + Two Pocket Prints – $20
Two 5x7s – $20
One CD – $25

Extras Packs
$10 each, Three for $25
One 8×10
One 8×6 (+ Two Pocket Prints)
Two 5x7s
Two 4×6 (+ Two Pocket Prints)
Ten Pocket Prints
One CD

Special Extras offer:
Photo delivered by email – $5