The exhibitions and fairs held in Australia showcase a large variety of handicrafts. These craft fairs, that are held in each and every city includes the best in handicraft education. Not only does that promote the local handicrafts market all across Australia, it also helps strengthen the ties with other countries such as India, Nepal etc.

The Scarborough Fair Markets have a large sewing section supplying souvenirs and art and crafts needs. Venue is Scarborough beach. Another well known market for handicrafts is the Chidlow Village Green Craft Market which specialises in handcrafted leather goods, wrought iron and metal work, plants giftware etc.

These markets and associations are located all over Australia- Sydney, Victoria as well as South Australia. Some of the places are listed below along with their contact details.

Australian Centre for Craft & Design: This centre has many handicrafts. Some of them are craft works, jewellery, metal work, items of interior design, furniture and decorative items.

Customs House, 3rd floor
31 Alfred Street, Circular Quay
Sydney, NSW 2000
AUSTRALIA

Crafts Council of Australia: This centre deals with fabric, textiles, craft works and handicrafts.
Level 5, 414-418 Elizabeth Street
Surry Hills, NSW 2010
AUSTRALIA

Crafts Council of Victoria: This centre deals with handicrafts, craft works, ceramics and glasses.
114 Gertrude St.
Fitzroy, VIC 3065
AUSTRALIA

Express Publications Pty Ltd: They specialise in handicrafts and crafts works and fine art.
2-4 Stanly Street
Silverwater, NSW 2168
AUSTRALIA
Victorian Woodworkers Association: They specialise in fine arts, furnishing and furnitre.

42 Courtney Street
North Melbourne, VIC 3051
AUSTRALIA
Royal South Australian Art Society: They specialise in fine arts.

Institute Bldg., 122 Kintore
Adelaide, SA 5000
AUSTRALIA
There are many local guide books that provide the user with information about more places.

The Indian Market Specialises In The Following Broad Categories.

Decorative Items: The Indian market has many products to showcase in the decorative section. Wooden/metal candleholders, painted flower vases, handmade paintings, antique, decorative boxes, lampshades etc are a few examples.

Home Décor: Textile handicrafts such as cushion covers, curtains, table cloths, carpets are widely available. They have a wide range in these products regarding the material used. Table mats made of jute are extremely well crafted in the northern state of Rajasthan.

Paintings and Wall Hangings: There are various forms of art followed in India. Some of them are kalamkari, Madhubani, Patachitra, silk paintings, Tanjore paintings, miniature paintings and Palm leaf etchings. It is advised to buy painting of any kind from authentic shops. Roadside vendors should be avoided in this case.
Jewellery: India is famous for the plethora of ornaments it hosts in its diverse cultures. From anklets, armlets, bangles and toe rings to brooches, cufflinks, ear rings, necklaces, Indian craftsmanship is commendable.
It is better to buy handicrafts from the places where they are made. For example junk jewellery should be bought from Jaipur along with colourful printed cloth materials. Jute items should be preferably bought from the south of India.

There are many local craftsmen who are skilled on a specific range of crafts. There are small villages where Indian women are taught to weave beautiful, intricate baskets along with small decorative items made of jute. Many handbags of vibrant colours are also available in reasonable prices in a variety of size and shape. Bargaining should be done with the street vendors to arrive at realistic prices.

There is a wide market for imported goods in India. There are many wholesale markets which provide exported merchandize. Indian crafts are also exported in a large number of countries.

Variety Of Products In Handicrafts
Paper Handicrafts: These handicrafts use paper as their medium. There are many forms of paper crafts.
Origami is the art of creating shapes by folding paper geometrically.
Paper craft involves creating 3D shapes out of paper.
Collage, scrap booking, calligraphy are other examples.

Textile Handicrafts: Embroidery, knitting, lace-making etc fall under this category. Cloth pieces designed with tie-and-dye make wonderful curtains and bed sheets. They are also used for table mats, wall hangings etc. Latest trends include works in stitching, mirrors and beads.

Wood, metal and Clay Crafts: Jewellery, pottery and sculptures are always in demand. Jewels are an ultimate source of elegant handicrafts that come in the most beautiful and stylish designs. They never go out of fashion. Many ear rings, pendants, necklaces , pins, bangles and bracelets are available that will be custom made for you.
There are many other handicrafts that are in vogue these days. Cotton handmade papers, craft stickers, scrapbook albums, photo albums, guest books, journals, and address books are just a few.Doll making as an art dates back quite far in history. They can be made with various materials such as china, paper, cloth, plastic and clay etc.

Latest Designs In Handicrafts
The latest design in handbags includes jute handbags that are a little larger in size than normal bags. Handbags with thick embroidery are also quite popular.
Wide belts with a lot of mirror work, or shells, are quite in.
Stoles are always in fashion, especially those with bead hangings.
If you are not looking for readymade crafts and want to find the basic material to create them that is also possible in Australia. Exhibitors at various fairs sell tools, designs and craft materials that are latest in the market. This way the visitors can take home the raw materials and create handicrafts of their own.

Tips For Handicrafts Shopping
When you travel lot you become more particular about the handicraft souvenirs you buy. You need to study the market and the range of handicrafts. Some are made only for your consumption while some have very little shelf life.

Spend ample time exploring the country you are visiting as well as the culture of the natives. This way you will be able to recognise authentic handicraft items that will be of use to you.
Get a fair idea of the quality and types of crafts available. Check whether the prices stated are worth the handicraft in local currency.

Of course, items that are small and can be carried easily are good souvenirs. It is easier to carry small wooden carvings as opposed to carpets.
When buying jewellery, make sure that they are authentic stones and not simply painted marbles. Buy jewellery from reputed stores.
Buy handicrafts from the area where they are produced. This way you will not only get authentic crafts of different varieties but also at reasonably cheaper prices.
Try and avoid credit cards.
Bargaining is an art that pays quite well.

If you have some specific purpose for buying certain handicrafts, then ask to see a range in those items only. For example there are different forms of work that are done on cushion covers- beads, mirrors, tie-and-dye etc.
Check whether the paint on the objects are permanent and that they wuld not come off with water.
Exported items are not always better than the ones locally made.

One should keep all these factors in mind while shopping for handicrafts. It is always better to have a basic knowledge on how they are manufactured.

History & Categories:
The term Handicrafts was coined in the late 19th century in England. Arts, crafts or handicrafts, all refer to decorative items made entirely by hand or by using basic tools. There are numerous forms of handicrafts, differing in style, material and usage. They can be broadly divided into the following categories.

Paper crafts – Handicrafts that are either created on paper or created with paper.
Wood and clay crafts – jewellery, pottery, sculpture etc.
Handicrafts made out of textiles such as canvas work, embroidery, knitting etc
Various other handicrafts such as dolls, bead art, egg decoration, etching, folk art and painting etc.
Handicrafts in Australia

Australia hosts many crafts fairs and wholesale markets that showcase a wide range of handicrafts. They are held not only to boost the local handicrafts market but also to strengthen ties overseas. They display various products, from scrap booking and paper craft, to quilting, patchwork and objects made of exquisite Indian materials.

How Does This Site Help?

Browse this online handicrafts resource to know what all to keep in mind while going handicraft shopping. You will find a few handy tips that will help you pick only the best. Know about the various fashion trends in this field; along with the hottest products currently burning the market worldwide.

Here you will also get an insight into the flourishing Indian handicraft market. From this site you can get a fair idea about the different Indian materials and traditional art forms and techniques followed in India. And if you are all ready and set to go out and buy some wonderful handicrafts, you can get the information regarding various handicrafts associations in Australia here as well.

Art and crafts undoubtedly make the most excellent form of gifts that one can give. So if you are planning to buy a gift, look at handicrafts as an ultimate solution.