Visiting Melbourne or just browsing the CBD.
How about finding a piece of Melbourne to take home, or a piece of Melbourne for a present or something essentially Melbourne to have in your own home, to remind you of what an interesting and creative place Melbourne is – not that you probably need reminding if you live here?
One place to look is Melbournalia at the top of Bourke Street. I would like to describe it as an Aladdin’s Cave but you would get the wrong impression. It is a light, bright space of glass and pale wood. It is like Aladdin’s Cave in that it is filled with unique and beautifully made items sourced from Melbourne and Victoria that you can explore.
Melbournalia Bourke Street
It is a place for browsing. So let me take you round and show you some of the things that caught my eye. I was looking for a fun birthday card and found a selection at the back of the shop.
Cards featuring railway stations
These are from Able and Game and are designed and made in Melbourne. I love the way they feature railway stations. Waiting for a train at a local station is part of life for many of us in Melbourne. I bought one for Seddon Station where my friend lives.
Ethical feather jewellery
Feather pendant
This lovely feather jewellery is made by Hollie from Dusty Caravan. She uses only natural and ethically obtained feathers for her work. No bird has its feathers plucked for the sake of creative craft pieces.
My eye was caught by the stunning yellow feather pendant. I was reminded of my grandmother’s canary that sang happily on her veranda. A happy memory brought back by this beautiful art work.
Melbournalia started life as a pop-up shop in 2011 and after many temporary homes moved to this vibrant space about 18 months ago. Dusty Caravan was one of the first suppliers back in 2011 and has been part of the journey.
Scarves featuring local subjects
Otto and Spike the makers of these interesting and fascinatingly patterned scarves has also made that journey. They have been with Melbournalia since the beginning.
Caps designed in Melbourne
Cap showcasing Melbourne
This hat modeled by Hollie is a recent addition to Melbournialia, The hats are made by renowned milliner Serena Lindeman. She makes them from old but not worn tea towels. My favourite is the one Hollie is wearing with Australian flowers. Some feature penguins, sea and kite boarding and scenes of Melbourne. They are great fun and beautifully made.
Items from Melbourne for children
There’s something for the children in your life too.
Roof Top Honey
Enjoy the results of the hard working Melbourne’s Roof Top Honey bees who labour away so we can eat their honey.
You can get honey that is sourced from plants that grow in the CBD – an interesting concept. Test tubes of honey, called a stingers, give you a chance to check out the different flavours.
Wood counter designed for Melbournalia
It is worth just wandering into Melbournalia to see the way the shop has been fitted out. Do have a look at the counter. It is unique and is just asking for you to stroke the beautiful wood.
Melbournalia is one place to solve those “What to buy” problems when you are in Melbourne.
It was busy the day I was there and Jenny Brown, who is one of the inspirations behind this venture, was flat tack waiting on customers and discussing this comprehensive showcase of Victorian craft. She is very knowledgeable about her products and can answer your questions.
Where:
Melbournalia
5/50 Bourke Street – corner Liverpool Street
Melbourne
Phone: 9663 3751
Getting there:
Tram: 96 and 86 – trams going along Bourke Street.
Train: Parliament Station – most lines go through this station.
Opening Hours:
MON – THURS 11am – 7pm
FRI 11am – 8pm
SAT – SUN 11am – 6pm
Web: http://melbournalia.com.au/
