Local makers will be in the spotlight this weekend with the first Hawkesbury Made Twilight Markets taking place in Windsor Mall.
Designed to not only showcase the creativity of the Hawkesbury area but to activate and bring new life to Windsor Mall, the event will see more than 20 unique stalls as well as entertainment, food and roving acts from 5pm to 9pm on Saturday, October 26.
The event is a collaboration between Hawkesbury Remakery - which will open its doors to the public for the first time at Loder House on the night - and Bazz's Wine Bar, with support from Prismatic Productions and Hawkesbury City Council.
"We will have buskers, food and stalls, and a number of shops will also be open on the evening," Hawkesbury Remakery director Liz Germani said. "There will be street performers and Instagram spots in front of the new murals."
Hawkesbury Remakery is a not-for-profit organisation working as a self-sustaining social enterprise business, Ms Germani explained.
Hawkesbury Remakery features a wide variety of makers and their products, from crocheters and sewers to upcyclers and traditional artists.
The sewers from Boomerang Bags will be set up permanently in the co-making space, creating reusable bags from post-consumer material such as old bed sheets to replace plastic bags and possum socks to be used by WIRES volunteers for native wildlife.
"People can come in for basic sewing repairs, or sign up for sewing workshops in the future," Ms Germani said.
"There will be other types of repairs done in the future. We have partnered with some of the Men's Sheds to run volunteer skilled expert repairs for small things like lamps in the future."
With a background in visual arts and co-director Sharon Gretch bringing community connections and sustainability to the table, Ms Germani said Hawkesbury Remakery aims to create a "makers' economy".
"We are bringing these things together to get the everyday maker to develop their business and their business dream," she said.
"We are starting up mini shops here encouraging people to find that one particular making activity that suits them.
"Our tag line is 'there is a maker in everyone'.
"We will have everyday maker shelves people can try out and develop their making business or their making artisan craft."