Made for spring
After a successful Winter Market at Te Pae, Ōtautahi Made returns in spring, bringing makers and creators back to the convention centre
When the Ōtautahi Made Winter Market took over Te Pae, it brought together makers, designers, artists, and food producers with thousands of people keen to discover what’s being created right here in Ōtautahi Christchurch.
Now, Ōtautahi Made is doing it all again. The Spring Market arrives at Te Pae on Sunday, 27 September, with around 180 makers filling the convention centre with ceramics, jewellery, art, homewares, clothing, skincare, artisan food, and plenty more.
VIP Early Access returns for those wanting a quieter first look and the chance to snap up one-off and small-batch creations, while the final Sensory Hour provides a calmer, lower-stimulation way to experience the market. Te Pae’s culinary team will also create a pop-up café.
One of the organisers, CJ Tomlins, says that the Ōtautahi Made market is about building connections between customers and makers.
“Ōtautahi Made is about more than putting stalls into a room. We want to create an experience Christchurch can be proud of, one that celebrates the people who make things here and encourages visitors to think more carefully about where the things they buy come from. When one of our makers grows or succeeds, it strengthens and inspires the entire community around them.”
Among the 180 or so makers is ceramicist Meg Roulston, whose pieces are designed to be as useful as they are beautiful. Her distinctive glazing draws inspiration from the coast, particularly Banks Peninsula, turning the colours and textures of dunes, grasses, and sea into abstract landscapes.
“I like making things that are beautiful but useful,” Meg says. “I want people to be happy leaving them out on the bench because they look beautiful, but they’re also made to be used.”
For Meg, the market offers something online shopping simply can’t replicate.
“What appeals to me is that everything is genuinely handmade. It’s a celebration of local creativity and an essential way for people to discover not only my work but the incredible community of makers we have here in Christchurch.”
Then there’s Nicola Garlick of Upcycled Plastic, whose practice begins with something most of us would simply throw away. Landfill-destined plastic, including bottle lids, is collected, sorted, cleaned, shredded, and melted before being transformed into bold bracelets, wall hangings, and garden art.
“I’ve always said I have an overactive imagination and the ability to do something about it. And waste is a failure of the imagination. Besides, if it’s going to be here for a thousand years, I want to make it beautiful.”
“I love the local maker community. Beautiful people making beautiful things. Supporting families and each other.”
Also joining the line-up is CHOOSE SARCASM, a whānau-owned, Māori-inspired clothing brand. Drawing on that dry Kiwi sense of humour, the brand crafts clothing. For Taylor Spittle and the team, the market is a chance to connect with the people behind other local businesses.
“Being part of Ōtautahi Made is about coming together and celebrating other amazing creators and makers from all around Ōtautahi. We love meeting other small businesses and seeing how we can come together and support each other.”