Weaving Culture and Community: Makers Club Debuts at Byron Beachside Market

The Byron Beachside Market has always been a place to discover unique treasures and connect with local creativity. Now, a brand new initiative will take this experience even further. Introduing the Byron Beachside Makers Club.

Designed to shine a light on the region’s talented makers, growers and creators, the Makers Club offers a space where visitors can not only shop artisan products but also learn about the people and processes behind them. Through talks, workshops and hands-on experiences, the Makers Club brings market-goers closer to the creativity that makes Byron Bay so special.

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Natwah Petruszka, Byron Community Market Coordinator, said the Makers Club is a natural evolution of what the markets have always stood for.

“The Makers Club is about going beyond browsing stalls. It’s about inviting people into the creative process, celebrating local talent and giving our makers a platform to share their skills and stories.”

The Makers Club will showcase different artisans at each seasonal market, offering opportunities to experience everything from traditional crafts to contemporary design. Each session will highlight the diversity of the Northern Rivers creative community, making the market not just a place to shop, but also a place to learn, connect and be inspired.

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The first Makers Club features Jugan Dandii, a weaving collective led by Nyangbal, Bundjalung woman Aunty Tania Marlowe and fibre artist/educator Debra Cole. Known for their collaborative works, including a striking weaving installation at Ballina Airport, Jugan Dandii has been sharing the restorative practice of natural fibre weaving with communities across the region for more than a decade. Their Makers Club workshop will include a free “learn to weave” class and an open drop-in weaving and yarning space suitable for all ages.

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Natwah said the Makers Club is about nurturing meaningful connections.

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“Every session is designed to be inclusive and welcoming,” she said. “Whether you’re trying a new skill, chatting with a maker or just watching the process unfold, it’s about community, culture and creativity coming together.”

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Alongside the Makers Club, visitors can continue to enjoy the artisan-only market with its vibrant stalls, food offerings and live local music, creating a full-day experience by the sea. The very first Makers Club session will take place at the Byron Beachside Market on Saturday 27th September at Main Beach Foreshore.