Time for a word puzzle for all you bookworms… 1. Start with fort heart. 2. Keep all of the same letters, in the same order. 3. Use these letters now to make a three-word phrase. What do we have? James Heenan, the chap behind Fort Heart clothing and accessories is all “for the art”, and a little clever all at the same time. A little fancy on photography – slides in particular – James has created these necklaces that sit comfortably alongside his fashion label. Happily these necklaces are not as transparent as the slides themselves, making their way into Schatzi! (155 Greville Street, Prahran, Melbourne) James will also be having a stall at Camberwell markets this Sunday. So if you’re in Melbourne and in the area, it could make for a nice Sunday morning. James has given us two necklaces to giveaway. To enter just email your details here with fort heart in the subject header.

Think Art Nouveau girl-next-door, with a tad of the feminine touch: 23-year-old budding designer Maie Dionisio is eager and ready to launch her label, Maiden Threads. Maie and Ren (a budding artist) have joined forces to create Lucy & Raul and their stall will be debuting at the much-loved Glebe Markets on November 1st (corner of Derby Place and Glebe Point Road, in the grounds of Glebe Public School). Fashions float between $35 and $150, while accessories are happily sitting between $8 and $20. At this moment in time it’s looking like a one-off, but who knows? If you like what you see, Lucy and Raul might become Glebe regulars. Can’t hold out till November? There’s always blog-spotting. 

We love these kids! frankie is proud proud proud to be involved yet again in the Finders Keepers markets in Sydney this Friday and Saturday December 5th and 6th. There’ll be scads of craft/design/art awesomeness on display at CarriageWorks, 245 Wilson Street, Eveleigh, plus live music, a café and bar and lots of other goodies. We’ll be helping out with our very own frankie lounge area near the music stage, plus a gift-wrapping stall and we’ll have lots of our beautiful new 2009 calendars for sale. Come and say hello!

Speaking of cheeky little Chrimbo gifts … Brisbane’s Etsy street team, BrisStyle, is putting together something of a market extravaganza tomorrow December 13th at Hamilton Town Hall. Over 30 local Etsy-ers will be selling their homemade wares, plus the very kick arse 4ZzZ will be broadcasting live from the crafting bonanza in the afternoon. Raffle tickets and other fundraising will be going towards the Knitting for Brisbane’s Needy charity. Sounds pretty freakin’ cool.

Gird your retro-lovin’ loins, Perth kids. The ladies of Sugar Blue Burlesque are holding a vintage fleamarket this Sunday 18th at the Burlesque Lounge, upstairs 267 William Street, Northbridge, and it sounds like a corker. Wares on sale include recycled clothing from the 1920s to 1980s, antiques, retro and novelty costumes, pin-up lingerie, burlesque merchandise, sewing and crafting supplies and retro cupcakes. Plus our current ‘I Love My Shop’ retailer, Delilah Carter from Winifred & Bance, will be there with some lovely stuff to sell. Sounds like a grand day out.

We have been hearing lovely things about the design goodness and generalised cute factor of the Oxford Street Markets in Leederville (100 Oxford Street, Saturdays 9-5pm). Cool Perth kids like Made on the Left and Little Design Horse are participating through January, so you’ve got two Saturdays left to go scoop up their wares.

Don’t forget about Young Blood Designers Markets which is happening on August 14th and 15th at the Powerhouse Museum. The market is all about nurturing new talent and will feature all sorts of treasures including fashion, furniture, jewellery, graphics, landscape and lighting design. Pop along on the Friday night for a drink and some tunes. Or check out Florence Broadhurst’s print exhibition while you’re there on Saturday. There are over 70 events to attend from August 1st to 16th. Check Sydney Design for the full rundown. (Pic below is called 'Trophies' from the Family Portrait series, (silicone) by Brenda Factor a Young Blood: Designers Market designer. Photo Luminere Imaging.)

Finders Keepers is in its last week of accepting applications for their October 31 and November 1 markets in Brisbane. They are looking for talented designers from all over Australia to participate. You don’t have to be a Queenslander! Come and expose your talents to an excited Brissie audience. Head over to Finders Keepers for info on how to apply. Hurry, scurry, applications close September 11. (PS Pretty teatowel below by Materialistic)

Brisbanites and people who live near Brisbane listen up! Our favourite independent art and design markets – finders keepers - our headed up to QLD and we’d love you to come and show some frankie love. We’ll be there selling some goodies as well as a bunch of other super talented ladies and gents. It’s all happening on October 31 (12-9) and November 1 (10-5) at The Old Museum, Corner Bowen Bridge Road and Gregory Terrace, Herston. There’ll also be live music and a lovely garden café. Swing by with your friends and come say hi.