Ballarat jewellery maker Michelle Boehm drove nine hours to have a stall at this weekend's Handmade Market in Canberra, the first time it has been allowed to be staged as a face-to-face event for more than two years.
Michelle was excited to meet up again with fellow artisans and her customers for the first time since the last market was held in December, 2019 - and then not allowed to open until now due to ongoing COVID restrictions.
"I think there are going to be a lot of tears on the weekend," Michelle said.
"Not just because we are seeing everyone again but because of the relief of being able to work again."
It's been a lonely, heartbreaking journey for the Handmade Market owner Julie Nichols, who kept the business afloat by staging online markets.
Just when the in-person market seemed allowed to reopen, it would be postponed by health restrictions. That happened four times, including in August last year when the markets were just hours from reopening.
"It was almost like, 'Yep, we're good to go' and COVID was like, 'Here, hold my beer'," Ms Nichols said.
Not even the threat of a thunderstorm can prevent the market returning this weekend to Exhibition Park in Canberra, with all stalls inside and under cover in the Budawang Pavilion for some cosy browsing and shopping. More than 220 makers will sell their fare and wares.
Ms Nichols was beyond excited to be back, saying nothing could replace touching, smelling and tasting a product in person. A gourmet hall of street vans is another attraction this weekend.
"We are just so excited to be back doing what we love," she said.
Canberra potter and artist Tania Vrancic was also excited to return to the markets, with the enforced break galvanising the sellers.
"It's brought the community together a lot," she said.
"We're all busting to see each other and have drinks [Saturday] night."
Ms Vrancic said online markets worked but not as well as in-person events.
"In one market, the amount of feedback I'll get, I'll know exactly what I'm doing for the rest of the year," she said.
"Not having that it's like, 'Well, I love this, will anyone else like it'?"
- The Handmade Market is under cover in the Budawang Pavilion at Exhibition Park in Canberra from 10am to 4pm this Saturday and Sunday.
