Hand-made market for Forest Hill

AFTER successfully running in Ipswich for three years, the Handmade Expo Market is making its way to Forest Hill.

Miriam Bain and Leisa and Cooper Gifford are looking forward to the Forest Hill Boutique Markets. . Picture: Sarah Fleming

AFTER successfully running in Ipswich for three years, the Handmade Expo Market is making its way to Forest Hill.

Run by mother and daughter team, Miriam Bain and Liesa Gifford, the Forest Hill Boutique Market will launch on Saturday at the Forest Hill School of Arts Hall.

The pair is looking to establish the market as an annual event in Forest Hill.

Ms Bain said there were not many opportunities for Lockyer Valley locals to get to hand-made craft markets.

"We want to share our passion for all things hand-made with the region," she said.

"I hope my neighbours from all around enjoy what the Handmade Expo market has in store for Forest Hill ... come and enjoy a lovely day out."

The pair is far from inexperienced, having run Ipswich's Handmade Craft Expo for the past three years.

The expo, which is held once a month at the Ipswich Turf Club, attracts about 2000 patrons each market day.

Like the Ipswich Handmade Expo, the Forest Hill Boutique Market will see an emphasis on high quality, hand-made products.

Ms Gifford said the market will cater to people of all backgrounds with a huge variety of products.

"A great new outlet supporting regional arts and crafts people with a huge range of products will surely cater for all tastes - young, old, trendy, traditional, male and female," she said.

The Forest Hill expo will boast as many as 50 exhibitors showcasing a wide variety of hand-made, hand-grown and home-baked products.

Organisers are expecting stall holders to offer children's clothing and jewellery, baked goods and preserves, skincare, hats, toys, soaps, candles and many other goodies for sale.

Home-made food for sale will include Devonshire tea, dumplings and German sausages.

Ms Gifford said the Forest Hill State School will be using the market as a chance to fundraise, holding a sausage sizzle throughout the day.

"We really like to support locals and get as many local community groups involved, so having the Forest Hill State School doing a fundraising sausage sizzle means we can enjoy the knowledge that we have helped a local community group or school." 

The Handmade Expo Market will be held on Saturday, from 9am to 3pm, at the Forest Hill School of Arts Hall. 

Originally published as Hand-made market for Forest Hill