I spent Mother’s Day exploring The Rocks Markets with my cousin Lynette.
It’s been years since I was last there and in that time the markets have grown to include over 200 fascinating and enticing stalls. We spent nearly the entire day there and I took a squillion photos to share with you.
It was a glorious day to be by the harbour…
These gorgeous girls were our first stop – their pure beeswax candles caught our noses as we wandered past. I usually can’t stand scented candles, but I found the gentle honey aromas mingled with essential oils irresistible. The girls were burning a candle called Sugar Cookies which reminded me of chocolate chip cookies just out of the oven. I bought one called Pure Energy – a blend of citrus, lemon and pomegranate (it’s burning now as I write this post)…
We were fortunate to be at the markets on a day that Steve, Bush Jeweller was there – he creates jewellery from recycled EPNS (silver plated) cutlery and old coins. Lynette bought a ring crafted from a 1963 coin, but there weren’t any 1965s on offer – apparently the Australian currency was in transition that year.
I was instantly smitten with Steve’s fork cuffs – to me they looked like octopuses, but Pete sees flower heads…
I tried this one on the minute I arrived at the stall and then had to pay for it because I couldn’t bring myself to take it off. Luckily it was only $26, which I think is a ridiculous bargain for a unique piece of art to wear on my wrist…
We wandered past a terrarium stall selling tiny succulents in a plastic casing. These could be used as a phone/bag dangle or worn as a necklace, and needed watering just once a fortnight…
These funky bangles were made of wood and covered with paper. Not something I’d wear, but very pretty nonetheless…
Our friend Metin from Turkuaz Motif was working hard – I took this photo to send to his wife Moya…
Lynette and I were both very taken with this exquisite shawl, made from a combination of silk and wool. If you’re interested, it was available at the Ann Collins stall…
We wandered past debonair street performers who were more than happy to pose for a photo…
I stopped for a while to listen to this father and son busking duo – they were very good!
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These interesting pieces were made from a soft leather and came in either gold or silver…
Stall owner Amy’s bracelet was something straight out of science fiction – I loved it…
The market sprawls over several old streets in Sydney’s historic Campbell’s Cove district…
We arrived at the Living Fossil stall and came to a dead halt. We’ve never been to visit their shop in Mosman before, but we will certainly make a point of doing so now, as their fossils were absolutely stunning and very reasonably priced. This 4.5kg ammonite is 180 million years old and in immaculate condition (I didn’t buy it though for $2,300)…
My Mother’s Day present was this 380 million year old trilobite, preserved in so much detail that its compound eyes and textured back could be seen clearly …
My cousin bought beautiful jeweled ammonites to take home – they’re the nautilus-like fossils in the photo below. The bracelet lying on top of them is made from Madagascan stromatolites. They’re somewhere between a billion to 3.5 billion years old.
Stromatolites are the rocky structures formed by photosynthetic cyanobacteria currently thought to be the earliest single cell organisms on earth. In fact, for most of our planet’s history, they were the only life on earth. Scientists believe that they spewed out oxygen into the atmosphere as a byproduct of their metabolic processes, until such time as the planet was able to sustain more complex life.
The bracelet is soothing and comfortable to wear, and the lovely Tom let me have it for just $20. His comment was “it’s a nice piece to have when you need a little perspective on life”…
I dragged my cousin into the Museum of Contemporary Art to see the new light exhibition – this large wall installation by Jonathan Jones maps a star trail of the southern skies over Circular Quay. I thought it was fabulous, but I had to laugh when Lynette said, “that’s it? A wall of fluorescent lights?”
So we left the MCA and wandered through the rest of the Rocks Markets instead…
These Hungarian honey cookies were exquisitely handpainted. They looked too good to eat…
We lingered for a while to watch the glass blower at work…
The handcrafted jewellery by Hamish Sevenoaks combines polymer clay, Swarovski crystals and glass cabachons…
Warriors in wire…
Real leaves dipped in gold and silver…
The Christmas Never Ends stall occupies a double space, selling a wide assortment of decorations…
Our final stop was the Geo Mobiles store, filled with spinning artworks finely crafted in Australia from marine grade stainless steel…
It’s hard to explain how mesmerising these pieces are, so I took this short video…
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It was best day out I’ve had in ages. If you haven’t popped into the Rocks Markets recently, it’s well worth a visit!
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The Rocks Markets
10am – 5pm, Saturdays and Sundays
Playfair Street, George Street, Jack Mundey Place
The Rocks, Sydney
Fig Jam and Lime Cordial 
A bit far for this Mainer to travel, but I really enjoyed exploring the market with your words and images.
This Massachusetts (USA) resident feels exactly as you do. We both wish that market was a lot, lot closer!
Thank you both for visiting along with me! :)
Wow! I want to go there! Such lovely things, I bet your brain is full. Thanks for sharing, hugs, Maz.
Just jam-packed Maz! You would have ADORED it – so very many clever things!
This was such fun to read – and you took such great photos of all those treasures!! What a perfect day – and I just love your bracelet. Actually, I loved all those beautiful things…. and that blue shawl was one of my favorites!
Cecile, the shawl was absolutely stunning, but several hundred dollars, which is why it didn’t come home with me. But a huge amount of work in it – somehow the wool and silk fibres had been rubbed together and joined – fascinating stuff!
Wow – it’s actually a work of art. How very special. Hey, if I lived closer maybe we could’ve shared it…and split the $$ ; o )
What an incredible way to spend mothers day! Fabulous!
Have a happy week ahead Celia.
:-) Mandy xo
Thanks Mandy! I had an absolutely fabulous time!
I love The Rocks – stayed there 10 years ago and again a few years before that. Markets like this are fabulous and being a silver bangle kind of Chica, I love your octopus/fork bangle! There are so many talented folk out there creating such amazing things for us to enjoy :)
Tanya, I’m very smitten with my fork bracelet – I’ve been wearing it around the house. When you come over, we’ll pay the Markets a visit together! :)
Hi Celia, That looks like a fun place to go. I will put on my list for my next visit. Love that mobile and the scarf and the fossil bracelet and…
Glenda, I hadn’t been for years, and it’s grown so much since then. It’s fabulous spot to spend an entire day!
I wish I was closer to this market too! What a fabulous way to send your Mother’s Day!
Gretchen, I thought so! Big Boy very kindly chauffeured us to and from various train and light rail stations!
Now that is a fun trip. I can’t believe how many different artisans were there and the variety of beautiful merchandise. It’s hard to pick what my favorite is but the jewelry & that beautiful shawl really caught my eye. Long ago I bought myself a pair of earrings that were made from the end of old spoons & they’re one of my favorite pair of earrings.
Happy mother’s day!
Diane, and that was only a tiny portion of it! There were SO many interesting things to see. The shawl was stunning but expensive (but worth it, massive amounts of work went into it!).
I love going to the markets anywhere. Looks like you had a really lovely time Ms Celia. I, too, love that silver fork bracelet :)
Fran, Pete suggested I get one for each wrist. I *think* he was teasing me – I reckon one on each arm would look like Wonder Woman’s bracelets (but I did consider it). :)
I can’t think of anyone else that I know who would deserve the Wonder woman tag as much as you do Ms Celia :). They are lovely bracelets. There is a guy who does silver work with old cutlery who displays his work down at the Salamanca markets in Hobart. He also makes beautiful mobiles out of forks and spoons and knives as well. Gorgeous stuff :)
Just like being there. Thanks Celia.
Thanks for coming along for the visit! :)
Lovely things!! I really enjoyed this post, Celia!
Hi Zirkie! Hope you’re well! They really are the best arts and crafts markets I’ve ever been to!
What a wonderful browse, and I didn’t need to leave my chair! But I will, and get in there myself… lots and new and interesting stuff since the last time the G.O. and I wandered around The Rocks Market. And I know we won’t be able to resist the fossils.
ED, lovely Tom who runs the fossil shop is a font of knowledge, so feel free to ask lots of questions. His products are very reasonably priced.
Love poking around and exploring markets, looks like you had a lovely day. Lots of beautiful jewellery, thanks for sharing :)
We really did, and now it feels like you were all there with us! Thank you! :)
I love that mobile video and I could watch that for long minutes. I haven’t been to the markets at The Rocks for years. The last time I was there I bought way too many very quirky things.
It was all I could do not to come home with a mobile, Maureen! But they were out of my budget range for the day! :)
It all looks fabulous. I would have gone broke!
Kay, it was a struggle not to! I suggest taking cash only.. :)
Looks like a little piece of retail heaven – and is probably not too far from where I am staying when I come up there next week!
Hon, you’re staying virtually next door! :)
Lovely pictures Celia! Glad you had a stimulating day, it’s a wonderful market to visit. You should go there during Vivid in June, take Pete & the kids xx Moya
Moya, it was so nice to see Metin there! I can’t do Vivid – too many people! :)
I’ve never been to the Rocks Markets Celia & i, being a markets enthusiast, am ready to catch the first train there! You did catch a train yes? Can you share the best way to get there please now that you’ve inspired me! I think what’s drawing me more there is…………………EVERYTHING!!!! :)
Lina, yes! Caught the train to Circular Quay and then it’s just a short stroll down to the Rocks from there. They’re open Sat/Sun, and they also have a food market there on Fridays. You’ll love it! :)
Thank you! Thank you!!!
Oh my: now I really do feel like a stranger to my home town of some 30 years +. Have never been!!!! Well, there are markets and markets and it has been a long time since I’ve had a chance to see so much innovative art and beauty on market stalls. Would not mind the museum either :) !! Perhaps not in the current cold and gales but early spring I’ll be buying myself a bracelet also!!!
Eha, definitely worth a trip, and the MCA is terrific too!
I’m not a Facebook person but I love to read all about your adventures and other things that you do, recipes, etc. Enjoyed your pictures/captions of your trip to The Rocks Market…..it’s like being there with you…..thanks for sharing.
Aloha from Hawaii.
Mahalo! Thank you for reading along! :)
Looks like a great place to spend Mother’s Day Celia and love the bracelet!
I too seem to be attracted to people and things that just that little bit unique and look forward to my next trip to Sydney!
It has been decades since I went to the Rocks Market… my children were still little! Love seeing all the goodies. And what a lovely bangle!
OMG! I ❤️ love those funky paper bangles, so different. I’m glad I can see the website in your picture. I’m checking them out now. Thanks great blog X
Wow, what a visit and I love your bracelet. I am also not a fan of the smell of waxy candles and you Pure Energy candle sounds like a scent I would enjoy :)
How on earth could I have missed this? We stayed in the Russell Hotel just opposite the MCA. Sounds a whole lot more interesting than the tour we did of the Opera House on Sunday morning, which was interesting but I knew most of it anyway. Probably a good thing, I think Geoff would have imploded had I suggest I could fit anything else in my bag!
I think the Rocks Market is one of the best in Sydney; certainly for artisan wares. You can certainly spend a day wandering around. I’d love some of those beeswax candles xx
What a lovely way to spend mother’s day! And thank you for taking us along.
The market is beautiful! Your post made me want to be there !
so many cute things. i love the rocks market. and i bought a lovely fossil there once. i have a bit of a collection!
I wish that market was closer! Lol! There are so many interesting things to see and buy there I wouldn’t know where to begin! Looks like you had an enjoyable day there. I would probably need to organise a babysitter for the day though. It takes me about two to three hours to walk through our farmers market of 40 vendors. I can only imagine how long it would take me to pass through over 200 booths! And live music and entertainment! Sounds like the perfect place for an outing.
Fabulous post Celia, these look like stunning markets. Such lovely things, from such creative souls. The fossils looked amazing, I’ve never seen a large shell cut like that to reveal pockets inside. Amazing. Next time I’m in Sydney I’ll have to check these markets out. Thanks again, Kirsty
Such an interesting market of great art pieces. Everything looks awesome, but those stainless decor items are just fabulous! Thank you, Celia!
Julie & Alesah
Gourmet Getaways xx