Tran Phung turned her back on financial planning and banking to discover her passion in candle creations, which gradually evolved into creating unique fashion accessories, lifestyle and home decor products.
Phung will join many others as an exhibitor in Artisan Lane, forming part of Melbourne’s Gift Fair (5 to 9 August) hosted by the Australian Gift & Homewares Association (AGHA) at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC).
Artisan Lane has been a popular addition to the fair since 2019 and showcases the work of artists hailing from around the nation.
For Phung, the fair gives her access to a bigger network of wholesalers, retailers and other businesses as well as meeting like-minded business owners from around Australia and New Zealand.
“One of my biggest challenges as a small business owner is standing out in an already saturated market,” she says.
“I am most excited about being an exhibitor in Artisan Lane to meet more potential buyers and having another channel to expose my creations.”
Clay workers, jewellery makers, craftspeople and woodturners are just some of the artists who will showcase their wares to retailers.
AGHA CEO, Linda Hickey, says the artists will handcraft their bespoke products in real time as buyers enjoy a wander through the lane.
“Artisan Lane is always a highlight for our attendees,” she enthuses.
“It’s fantastic to sponsor emerging artists to attend the fair and watch their creative process. We’ve received really positive feedback since we’ve implemented it as a fixture in both our Sydney and Melbourne gift fairs.
“It’s incredibly important to support up-and-coming artists with undeniable craft and talent. We really love sponsoring them to be involved in our gift fairs and it’s a personal highlight for me. They are the future of the industry.”
To find out more about how you can attend this year’s AGHA Melbourne Gift Fair as a retailer, visit the website.
