Large turnout of crafty people

To market to market we go. PHOTOS: NINA TAPU
To market to market we go. PHOTOS: NINA TAPU
Sixty-five stalls drew crowds to the Crafters@Latitude Market at the Southland Indoor Bowls Centre.

A steady stream of curious Southlanders perused the aisles at the weekend, seeking bespoke arts and crafts.

"People are out and about and it’s going really well", Crafters@Latitude Market president Wendy Butler said. "We have about four vendors who are not from Invercargill and there’s a woman who came from Teviot who does jams and chutneys."

Rachēe Matehe is stoked to sell her brother Quintin Akuhata jewellery and crafts.
Rachēe Matehe is stoked to sell her brother Quintin Akuhata jewellery and crafts.
Six of the vendors were new to the Invertible craft market, including Rachēe Matehe, who was selling crafts and jewellery designed by her brother, artist Quintin Akuhata.

"This is the first crafters market that I’ve ever done and I was quite nervous at first, but I’ve got a good feeling now", Ms Matehe said.

Sharon Smith upcycles old blankets into jackets and bags.
Sharon Smith upcycles old blankets into jackets and bags.
Vendor Sharon Smith has been attending the Crafters market for three years and has generated a following for her upcycled blankets which are turned into jackets.

Trish Monaghan is selling out of Smoke and Spice Co’s most popular spice, smoked NZ garlic.
Trish Monaghan is selling out of Smoke and Spice Co’s most popular spice, smoked NZ garlic.
"I love getting into the stories from families who say here’s my mother’s blanket or my grandmother’s", she said.

"People come up to me and ask if I can make them something out of their blankets and I tell them to just text me."

Trish Monaghan travelled from Reefton to sell a mix of wares, including her friend Marcus Peters’ gourmet seasoning from The Original Smoke & Spice Company.

"I’m here selling the Original Smoke & Spice sea salt . . . [it’s] sold in markets all over."

— Nina Tapu