Thrifty Thursday: Market day!

On Sunday 31 May I visited not one, but two markets in Belfast. Both very different, but equal in quality, variety and wallet-friendliness!

I called in first to the Fine and Dandy Market, held on the last Sunday of every month in The Crescent Arts Centre. It provides a platform for local makers and artisan producers to sell their wares and there is a seriously impressive selection of products for sale.

Handmade silver jewellery, homemade chutneys and preserves (delicious – I had to have a taste!), handpainted wood art and furniture, a fine tea emporium, vintage clothes, upcycled glassware, embroidered homewares, vinyl… The list goes on. All of the sellers I spoke to were so friendly, happy to take time to chat, and really passionate and knowledgeable about their crafts.

Click the pics to see them full-size, and for links to the makers featured.

I could have stayed all day without running out of things to look at, but I couldn’t miss being at the first ever Belfast Flea. I’m so impressed with what these guys have put together in a relatively short period of time.

Housed in the colourful courtyard of The Sunflower Bar, under lime-green canopy roofs, the couple of dozen or so stalls were jam-packed with kitsch and curiosity. There were old classic books, original art, classic vinyl, stunning vintage and pre-loved clothes and shoes spilling out of old suitcases, and jewellery and knick knacks draped lovingly on charmingly rickety side tables.

There was also hot food, traybakes and (of course) a few pints being enjoyed, and apart from a violent but mercifully brief hail storm, the sun smiled down. A great day – I see this being a permanent monthly fixture in this thriving little quarter of Belfast.