MERMAID ROCK

Stallholder Harry Kyriakou sells his handmade gift and homeware pieces including fruit baskets, vases and wine bottle holders at The Rocks Markets.

'We're passionate about our products because they are truly unique. We're also proud to say they're made in Australia and constructed from Australian sandstone and stainless steel.'

Harry loves being a stallholder at The Rocks Markets.

'It's a very special market. The location is beautiful with so much history. I meet people from all over the world who are very interesting to talk to.'

When he's not breaking sandstone and bending stainless steel by hand, Harry likes to relax with his bass guitar.

'I'm a professional musician and love to lose myself in my studio with friends.'

Peruse Harry's work on his website and see him at The Rocks Markets.

MATT WISE JEWELLERY

When he's not riding his Harley into the far reaches of Australia, stallholder Matt Wise makes beautiful jewellery out of gemstones and precious metals.

'Jewellery making is my passion. I love creating, designing and fabricating a range of jewellery pieces. I love the challenge of working with silver and gold to create funky, yet stylish pieces that can be worn on a day to day basis.'

Matt finds inspiration in the natural world and shapes his work into the contours of the ocean and desert.

See Matt's unique creations at The Rocks Markets every weekend.

MICE AND MATCHSTICKS

Stallholder Graham Turner from Mice and Matchsticks is an industrial designer who once designed the light fittings surrounding the UK's Buckingham Palace. He's since turned his royally approved talent to making a range of exquisitely crafted jewellery made from castings of seed pods and gumnuts.

It all started when Graham was planning to get married as he explains. ''My fiancée and I wanted to give our bridesmaids and close family unique thank you gifts on the day and the idea to try and cast flowers in sterling silver popped up. We made brooches for our bridesmaids, earrings and a brooch for my sister and one of my most beautiful creations, a sterling silver stem flower for my mother's corsage,'' he says.

After numerous requests from family Graham decided to take his jewellery making a step further by offering them to the public. And so, Mice and Matchsticks was born.

Graham loves being hands-on throughout the creative process. ''Everything is 100% handmade, all the way from foraging for native seed pods and gumnuts through to casting them in metal and then hand making the bags we package them in. We add a personal touch to each and every piece.''

THE CURLY MUSIC BOX - MUSIC TO OUR EARS

Michelle Dickins and her husband Ronnie have been stallholders at The Rocks Markets for over 20 years. During that time they've become part of the family and hit upon a winning product ... The Curly Music Box.

 ''The Curly Music Box first appeared on our stall in January 2007 and has since completely taken over our lives!'' says Michelle. ''They're colourful, fresh, original boxes that play tunes through wind-up and hand-cranked mechanisms.

Each box is handmade with imagination and thought for sustainability as Michelle explains. ''We make our products from a diverse range of materials that might otherwise have ended up on the tip. We use driftwood collected from our favourite holiday beach, old fence palings 'rescued' from Grandma's and vintage fabrics hard won at auctions.''

Michelle finds life as a stallholder highly fulfilling. ''The level of satisfaction I derive from creating something from nothing and making a living from it is almost beyond compare.''

So be sure to check out Michelle's large selection of beautiful handmade music boxes at The Rocks Markets this weekend.

CATCH COEUR - JEWELLERY FROM THE 'CITY OF LOVE'

Looking for something special for that special someone this Valentine’s Day?

Then take a peek at the gorgeous jewellery from Catch Coeur which sells unique and colourful fashion jewellery imported from the city of love, Paris.

Made from enamel, mother of pearl, resin and Swarovski crystal, Catch Coeur’s collection “makes women of every generation feel special”, says owner Olivia Auday.

“We are passionate about our products. We’re always on the move, creating something new! It’s all about a beautiful encounter,” she says.

Auday says her dream is to open “the most colourful shop in Sydney”, which would undoubtedly feature the beautiful products you can already find at The Rocks Markets every weekend.

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LUSH BERRIES - STRAWBERRIES DIPPED IN LOVE

You can’t beat chocolate as a gift on Valentine’s Day—except, of course, when it’s coating a beautiful fresh strawberry or strawberry stick from Lush Berries.

Serving up chocolate-coated delights for almost eight years at The Rocks Markets, the team at Lush Berries is famous around the world for their delicious little goodies which are made from Australian-grown fruit.

“We love the diverse cultures that we meet at The Rocks Markets. The one thing we enjoy is when customers say ‘every time we come to Sydney we have to come down to The Rocks Markets and have one your strawberries’”, she says, “this makes it all worthwhile.”

Jenny Duggan says all the company’s products are made at the family-run business in Camden. “Most of our employees are family or old family friends.”

The “original Lush Berry” is actually Duggan’s daughter, who is now 11-years-old, she explains.

“When she was 18-months-old she was, and still is, as my English girlfriend would say: ‘as scrumptious as a Lush Berry!”

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AUSTRALIAN EUCALYPTUS GIFTS

Originally from Vanuatu, Chantal Troccaz moved to Australia 35 years ago. After running the well-known French restaurant Au Chabrol with her husband, Chantal decided to follow her creative craft instincts and started selling at The Rocks Markets.

'I'm one of those people who loves creating, being different and confronting, evolving in the designs and aromas, I don't follow the trend, I prefer to set it.'

Chantal sells a range of handmade, vapotherapy products from Australian indigenous seed pods, or 'bush nuts', processed in 100% pure essential oils. Her products fill any home with beautiful aromas.

'I'm proud my products are Australian, environmentally friendly, handmade, recycled, organic and sustainable. They're also unique and distinctive-tourists love taking pictures of them.'

Visit Chantal at The Rocks Markets every weekend and get yourself some quality, handmade, aromatic bush nuts.

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THE OLIVE TREE SOAPWORKS

Carolyn Mercer from The Olive Tree Soapworks has been selling her handmade cosmetics (specialising in olive oil and shea butter soaps) at The Rocks for the last 17 years. Keen to step off the corporate ladder Carolyn turned her soap making hobby into a business after a friend made a chance observation.

'I've been making soaps for myself, family and friends for a very long time but only started selling at The Rocks Market after a comment by a friend who travelled a lot for his work. He thought that hotel guests in the area would appreciate being able to buy high quality soap instead of having to use the awful stuff they get in hotels. The rest is history!'

Carolyn is proud of her products and feels they offer an attractive alternative to other cosmetics on the market.

'I'm passionate about what I produce because I use the best sustainable, fair trade ingredients combined with years of experience. This results in simple, effective skincare products. I'm not a super-salesperson but because the soaps are of such good quality, they need very little in the way of persuasive selling techniques or glitzy packaging.'

Carolyn enjoys interacting with both one-off and repeat customers at The Rocks.

'As well as trade from tourists I've built up a local following of both male and female customers. One wife was pleased to confide in me that she and her husband never used to go anywhere on the weekend but since her husband discovered my soap he insists they visit The Rocks. It's a buzz to get such great feedback!'

Visit Carolyn at The Rocks Markets every weekend and get yourself some quality, handmade cosmetics.

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GIORGI'S GELATO

Giorgi's Gelato started life in Italy as a family run business and is now delighting customers at The Rocks. Husband and wife team Nicole and Stefano Giorgi, who were recently awarded three silver medals by the Dairy Industry Association of Australia, say the secret of their success lies in their ingredients and passion.

'We use fresh ingredients with no added flavours, colours or preservatives. Our passion comes from a love of good quality food and we love seeing the smiles on people's faces when they eat our gelato!'

Be sure to visit Nicole and Stefano at The Rocks Foodies Market every Friday and at The Rocks Markets every weekend. Plus check out a recipe for Lemon Mint Julep in Recipes from the Markets.

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HAYDEN LONGHURST

Tami Longhurst from hat makers Hayden Longhurst learnt the art of making exquisite handmade hats whilst working for a couturier in London in the 80s. On returning to Sydney in 1990 Tami spotted a gap in the market and decided to set up her own business.

'In a country that really needs to wear hats I saw that there was a void between cheap, poorly-made, imported hats and expensive, rarely worn race hats.'

Hayden Longhurst's signature hat is the Travel Straw-a crushable, reshapeable, lightweight straw hat that comes in 20 hand-dyed colours. Such headwear is perfect for the friendly travellers Tami meets at The Rocks Markets but it's not just tourists who like her products, locals are drawn to her durable creations too.

'In the last few months I've replaced much loved hats that customers have had for 12 and 16 years-pretty good value I think!'

You can check out Hayden Longhurst's unique range of handmade hats at The Rocks Market every weekend.

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Food is a family affair for The Rocks Foodies Market stallholder Jacques Sarkis.

'My parents have owned and operated cafes since I was young, so I learnt how to prepare Lebanese foods from an early age. In Lebanese culture, food is something that brings family and friends together.'

Jaqcues is continuing the family tradition at his stall in The Rocks where he offers a range of food thanks to a small army of family helpers which includes his wife, mother, daughter and family friends.

Specialising in Middle Eastern and Lebanese food, Jacques offers a delicious range of vegetarian and gluten free options including hommus, baba ganoush, garlic dip, gluten free lamb kafta sausages, falafel nuggets and vegetarian 'meatballs'. Jacques recommends his food as being healthy, seasonal and convenient.

'Our food is pre-cooked the night before we take it to market so all you need to do is reheat it or in the case of salads and dips, just plate it up and enjoy!'

Be sure to visit Jacques and his family at The Rocks Foodies Market every Friday.

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Francine Haywood makes contemporary and one of a kind beaded jewellery which draws on her French origins and the 13 years she spent living in Japan. As well as being influenced by French and Japanese styles, Francine finds inspiration from her natural and man-made surroundings.

"My design is inspired by patterns found in nature like bubbles and rock pools or cityscape grids and cracks in the pavements. I also get ideas from antique textiles, lace and embroidery."

Francine's creations are made of materials like gold, sterling silver, gemstones and freshwater pearls but also more unusual material like perspex, titanium and paper. She sees jewellery making as a labour of love and enjoys using handmade techniques and processes that often mean a piece can take up to several days to complete.

"Personally, I find casting repetitive, I prefer the freedom and the challenge of fabricating by hand, it also gives me control from beginning to end. I never get bored with jewellery making, it is a constant discovery, I enjoy myself most when I experiment and play, like a child."

Once her playful experimentation is done, Francine loves taking her work to The Rocks Market.

"Having a stall gives me the opportunity to present my creations directly to the public and to share the stories behind my work. I find it very uplifting and encouraging every time I receive compliments and encouragement from visitors!"

You can check out Francine's unique jewellery at The Rocks Markets every weekend.

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PAULA CHURCH

Paula Church produces unique paintings of bird and botanical art and has a large selection of prints and original artworks for sale at The Rocks Market every weekend. Originally from the UK, Paula enjoys painting the native birds and flora of her adopted country. This month she'll be working on a Gymea lily on site at The Rocks where she finds the atmosphere to be convivial.

"I like going to The Rocks Market. Everyone is so friendly and helpful. It's also nice to see what other people are selling and making."

As well as painting nature, Paula is also a heraldic artist, meaning she paints coats of arms.

"I've painted coats of arms directly onto old Rolls Royce cars as well as boats but my biggest commission was to paint the Royal Family's arms onto the State Coach Britannia which will be the Queen's new coach."

You can check out Paula's unique and royally approved work at The Rocks Market every weekend.

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RONNIE ARTS

Karen of Ronnie Arts is an adventurer at heart. Her artwork reflects her freedom-loving spirit, but luckily for us, she calls Sydney home. Especially considering during her travels she has parachuted from a plane to land on the London to Edinburgh railway, been hit by a bus in Argentina and bitten by a sea lion in the Galapagos!

Karen's passion for the adventure of art started as a child. As a young adult, she attended art college and university before entering the design industry. It's now been 20 years since Karen started selling her one-of-a-kind art to customers and companies, but she still relishes the challenge of creating art on commission for local and international clients.

"All products are created and designed by myself. My objective is to create exclusive artworks designed to enhance any decor, at an affordable price for the majority." So if it's unique, Australian affordable artwork you're after, commission Karen to make something for you. 

It's Australia, and The Rocks in particular, that Karen calls her muse-it's the one area in Sydney where theatre, food, music, shopping and dance combine, and the result is electric. Karen takes her inspiration from The Rocks, but she gives back ten fold.

"I enjoy trading at The Rocks as it gives me the opportunity to engage with the public, keep on top of current trends and styles as well as being involved with creating an experience for visitors new and old into The Rocks area."

You can check out Karen's unique design and artwork at The Rocks Markets every weekend.

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ROGER AND PEACH

If you're a fan of the film 'The Secret Garden', then you'll love the new winter collection from fashion label Roger + Peach which features a range of fun and playful handmade garments.

The collection, loosely based on the popular film and book by Frances Hodgson Burnett, includes the labels popular and expanding range of screen printed tees as well as handmade jewellery which has been designed specifically to complement the winter range.

Roger + Peach was born in a dusty lounge room as a name and slowly evolved itself into a fashion label, explains company founder Melinda Morrison.

"It really only started though when I decided to rent some studio space in Newtown (which I am still in four years later) and started doing markets," she says.

"It was only then that I realised I could actually potentially do this as a full time job."

Roger + Peach now sells a range of whimsical story-book inspired clothing and accessories, which are almost entirely handmade in that same Newtown studio.

"I like pretty things so being able to surround myself with pretty fabrics buttons and trims every day is an absolute luxury. I love being able to come up with new ideas as well as overcome the challenges of owning my own business."

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HTAY WIRE ART

Wire artist Steeve Htay, who was born in Burma before moving to Australia, has been creating his unique art for more than 10 years by bending, twisting and tying wire into an amazing array of familiar and enchanting designs.

Using locally-sourced materials, Htay literally weaves wire and hand-coloured plastic tubing into everything from musical instruments to motorbikes, and dinosaurs to robots.

"I'm passionate about my products because I believe that all kinds of art are enjoyable, and art is the truth of your significance of life," Htay says.

After becoming involved with the pro-democracy movement against the Burmese military government, Htay fled to Thailand and worked for the United Nation as a full-time volunteer teaching Thai to refugees, interpreting and working as a medical aid.

In 1999, Htay's brother taught him how to make a motorbike and a robot with aluminium wire, and he has been expanding his repertoire ever since.

Today, he designs and produces a myriad of wire art works including personalised sterling silver names and sculptures of Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge.

"I enjoy serving people who support my art work, and I want all of them to be happy and for them to know that my art works are really creative and it is hard work."

You can check out Htay's unique range of wire art at The Rocks Market every weekend.

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PLATO PUZZLES

Pieces to the puzzle of life

If you've never done a jigsaw puzzle then you don't know what you're missing out on, according to the owner of Plato Puzzles Angus Hartley. More importantly, it's never too late to take up what Hartley describes as about the best "exercise for the mind" you'll ever find.

Hartley, who didn't do his first jigsaw puzzle until he was introduced to them as an 18-year-old uni student looking for low-budget entertainment, says it was his girlfriend at the time who first got him into puzzles.

"We had just started uni, and a few friends started to do puzzles at their rental place to stay home and save money. As people dropped by inevitably, as uni students do, new people started to join in on the 'lets do this' adrenalin buzz that comes from the 2000-piece puzzles we would do.

"There were some seriously raucous end of puzzle-parties, but, despite the immature revelling, the puzzle would never be destroyed. It was always framed, and the collection built.

"But the thing that made my mind click was: if a footie playing meathead such as myself can get so into the challenge, imagine how many far more civilised individuals were yet to discover this great, fun challenge."

And so, in 1999, Plato Puzzles was born. Today, the company specialises in jigsaw puzzles which feature works by Australian artists including the late Robert Campbell Jnr, Noel Doyle, Samantha Naughton and Stephanie McLaughlin.

The company's cardboard and wooden puzzles are built in the standard interlocking style, and cover a wide range of difficulties which require various levels of commitment.

Plato's wooden puzzles are primarily for kids under five years old and adults over 80, and range in sizes of up to 48 pieces. The cardboard puzzles start at 100 pieces and go up to 1,000 pieces and cover all levels and standards for anyone over five years old.

But jigsaw puzzles are only half of what Plato Puzzles is all about, Hartley says.

"The other half is the delivery of beautiful Australian art in the form of puzzles. Our products, to this end, aim to be as much an artwork to hang on the wall...as a fun, relaxing way to keep mental fitness as we grow.

"The thing that has most surprised me is how our wooden puzzles have been a hit with retirement homes as much as schools and pre-schools.

"They excite motor neuron activity and activate lobes in the brain that are critical to our overall function.

"This is not just a pie-in-the-sky ideal," Hartley says. "It is the practical reality for us on the ground. We find the kids really love the big fish characters in our Waterworld series of puzzles; plus also the unique, realistic way Robert Campbell painted his larger-than-life emus, goannas and platypus.

"It is a positive habit to build into your leisure time. It's exercise for the brain; it's social, it's a piece of art, it's a source of personal satisfaction."

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PING LIAN YEAK

Young savant artist a real talent

Sydney-based 17-year-old artist Ping Lian Yeak's work has been inspiring visitors to The Rocks Markets since he set up there with the help of his mum, Sarah S.H. Lee, more than two years ago.

Yeak is an autistic savant artist with tremendous talent. Savant syndrome is a rare condition in which people with serious mental disabilities, including autism, have what has been termed an 'island of genius' that stands in contrast to their overall handicap.

Yeak's artwork, in charcoal, acrylic, watercolour, ink and oil, has been exhibited in the United States, UK, Germany, Japan, Malaysia and Australia, and won over collectors and critics around the world.

In 2009, Yeak's work was honoured with the inauguration of his own permanent gallery of works at The Art Commune of Malaysia.

His work features a diverse range of subjects, including animals, nature and Sydney Harbour-which is one of his favourite places to paint-and is categorised by the confident use of colour and an eye for detail.

Yeak's mum, who moved to Sydney from Malaysia with him and her two daughters in 2006 after the death of her husband, is his biggest fan. She now devotes all her time to helping his career as an artist prosper.

After initially being unable to hold a pencil, as a young child Yeak was taught to trace pictures in an attempt to improve his fine motor skills.

When Yeak was aged 10, he suddenly stopped tracing and started drawing, and his talent was immediately obvious. He has hardly put a paintbrush down since.

From that time, his diverse range of work has inspired not only his mum, but many people around the world, both art lovers and regular punters, alike.

If you'd like to see what all the fuss is about, visitors to The Rocks Weekend Market can pick up one of his masterpieces, and see Yeak at work-which is worth a visit for the inspiration he provides alone.

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WENDY MCLEAN

Fashion designer Wendy McLean has been inspired and influenced by the beauty and colours of nature since she was a child. With more than 25 years experience in the fashion business, including 18 months at The Rocks Markets, McLean says she is still driven by her love of the fashion industry, hard work and perseverance.

As a pattern maker and designer by profession, McLean says she designs all her garments using the most beautiful fabrics to suit the styles that make women look good.                 

"I never stop investigating the endless possibilities of having my own spin on the seasons trends of beautiful fabrics made in wearable garments with a fresh take to each season," she says.

McLean's range includes sheer silk kaftans and long and short dresses in numerous designs and fabrics.

"My resort, cruise, lifestyle garments are feminine, effortless to wear and made in Australia by highly qualified machinists," she says.

"I create feminine styles with happy colours that flatter the women's body, that don't outdate, and can be worn in winter and summer alike."

McLean says she enjoys the glamour of sourcing sheer fabrics, silks, crapes, chiffons and cottons and turning them into beautiful, stylish casual garments which are suitable for both the young and the young at heart.

"I believe that in today's anything goes era, it is all about being yourself and dressing to suit your lifestyle and figure."

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KONGA DESIGNS

You don't have to look far to find things of beauty in our natural environment, just ask Matthew Greacen from Konga Designs whose company uses nature's gifts to create stunning jewellery.

From coffee beans to large Amazonian seeds, Konga Designs' contemporary collections combine the best of nature with the passion and colour of South America.

"Our products are a true fashion statement with an environmentally conscious backbone," says Greacen, who recently began operating at The Rocks Markets. "We are one with our planet; we are one with beauty."

The company's recent summer collection of unique handcrafted pieces features organic elements from around the world, including the stunning orange peel necklace pictured above.

"I was inspired to make this collection by the common materials that would otherwise be disregarded or thrown away in our day-to-day lives. I use a lot of orange peel, South American seeds, coffee beans and corn and cows horn, because they are materials that are very rare in jewellery at the moment here in Australia."

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LEMISEE

Feminine, sophisticated and sexy is how Lemisee creator Leminda Conopio describes her gorgeous range of women's clothing at The Rocks Markets. Designed for young and young at heart women who love to embrace their femininity, Lemisee is all about being fun and flirty.

Leminda, or Lemi as she is known, took an interest in fashion from an early age and was taught to hand sew by her grandmother. She learnt how to make dresses on a sewing machine in her high school home economics class and started making clothing for friends as a hobby.

"I started selling dresses at the markets and on that first weekend I sold out," explains Lemi. "The rest is history and Lemisee was born!"

Lemi says her designs are inspired by the Australian climate and remoteness: "We are sooo far from everyone it almost feels like we're free. And because of that we don't have to conform to the rest of the world, we form our own identity. I like to design dresses for girls that aren't afraid to show skin."  

Lemisee's current collections include floaty sundresses and short, figure hugging designs with sweet necklines and daring low backs-perfect for the Aussie summer.

Visit Lemisee every weekend at The Rocks Markets.

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MARCIE MAI

After a career marketing everything from health and beauty products to high performance boys' toys which spanned 15 years and several continents, Helen Feeney decided to get back to her roots and try something she had loved since she was a young girl-fashion design.

So, in 2008, she signed off on her final marketing role, bought a sewing machine and signed on to a $129 'Start Your Own Fashion Label' course ... and she hasn't looked back since.

"My first stall was at Newtown markets. I had the clothes rack from my bedroom and 20 skirts. I sold three skirts that day and I thought I was a legend!"

Since then, Feeney hasn't looked back and for the past three years has been trading her label Marcie Mai at The Rocks Markets.

"I never dreamt of becoming a fashion designer," she explains, "which is interesting given that my job involved working with a dressmaker on weekends and school holidays between the ages of 13 and 17." Instead, she completed a commerce degree specialising in marketing.

"My approach to design and clothing construction draws on that early experience," Feeney says. "Today, I love piecing beautiful fabrics and patterns together to create vibrant and stimulating pieces.

"I still don't consider myself a designer. I have never studied design. However, I like simple clothing where the cut and beautiful fabric speak for themselves

Feeney says the Marcie Mai label offers unique, vibrant and edgy designs for women who are happy to stand out from the crowd.

"Some are Japanese inspired, using both contemporary Japanese and vintage kimono fabric. Others evoke fun and playfulness using colourful fabric applications to create a dramatic eye-catching effect."

You'll find Marcie Mai, along with Helen, every weekend at The Rocks Markets.

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