Talk of the Town

Boknes proves a crafty corner of the Sunshine Coast

5 min read
MEAL IN A SOCK: Maria Bertie says she moved to Alexandria from George recently and sprang upon the chance of starting a food ingredient business called the Food Sock. The Food Sock promotes the idea that four people can be fed from just one food sock item. Picture: MARCK CARRELS
MEAL IN A SOCK: Maria Bertie says she moved to Alexandria from George recently and sprang upon the chance of starting a food ingredient business called the Food Sock. The Food Sock promotes the idea that four people can be fed from just one food sock item. Picture: MARCK CARRELS

The Boknes Padstal Christmas Market drew scores of patrons – many of them visitors – to its  stalls on Wednesday December 20. The market which operates every quarter, might have been in existence  for only 16 months but, according to coordinator, Trudie Botha, by all accounts is doing a roaring trade.

Among the offerings for interested patrons were collector’s knives, hand-crafted jewellery and accessory items, sweets, biscuits, Indian delicacies, clothes and leather products. 

Compared to other periods, December is always busier because of the festive season crowds, said Botha. However, organisers have been pleasantly surprised as to how brisk trade has been during other parts of the year. 

The market had its humble beginnings in an idea by Botha’s brother-in-law. He realised that there were many items not available to the Boknes community and hatched the idea of holding a market stall every three months. 

And the red tape is not complicated at all – Botha says potential stall holders can book a spot costing R100 in advance and once approved, can start selling their wares  immediately. 

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KEEP IT SHARP: Ruhan van Niekerk sells his collectors knives at the Boknes Padstal Christmas Market. Ruhan was teaching in Vietnam when Covid forced him to return home and delve in to the art of knife-making to eke out a living. Now he has customers afar-afield as Australia and the US. Pictures: MARK CARRELS
KEEP IT SHARP: Ruhan van Niekerk sells his collectors knives at the Boknes Padstal Christmas Market. Ruhan was teaching in Vietnam when Covid forced him to return home and delve in to the art of knife-making to eke out a living. Now he has customers afar-afield as Australia and the US. Pictures: MARK CARRELS
KEEP SHINING: Linda Marais from Kleinemonde shows off her jewellery items on market day. Marais also designs pieces from broken jewellery items.
KEEP SHINING: Linda Marais from Kleinemonde shows off her jewellery items on market day. Marais also designs pieces from broken jewellery items.
TAKING A LEAP: Andre van Niekerk was once a Bonsmara cattle farmer in the North West. Now retired, he sells his genuine leather handmade goods at stalls such as the Boknes Padstal Christmas market.
TAKING A LEAP: Andre van Niekerk was once a Bonsmara cattle farmer in the North West. Now retired, he sells his genuine leather handmade goods at stalls such as the Boknes Padstal Christmas market.
MEAL IN A SOCK: Maria Bertie says she moved to Alexandria from George recently and sprang upon the chance of starting a food ingredient business called the Food Sock. The Food Sock promotes the idea that four people can be fed from just one food sock item.
MEAL IN A SOCK: Maria Bertie says she moved to Alexandria from George recently and sprang upon the chance of starting a food ingredient business called the Food Sock. The Food Sock promotes the idea that four people can be fed from just one food sock item.
(RE)-CIRCLE OF LIFE: Roche du Plessis and partner sell their jewellery items from a stall at the Christmas market. Some of their items are pieces fashioned from found fauna - including roadkill. Visible here are dead moths, found and crafted into something to wear.
(RE)-CIRCLE OF LIFE: Roche du Plessis and partner sell their jewellery items from a stall at the Christmas market. Some of their items are pieces fashioned from found fauna - including roadkill. Visible here are dead moths, found and crafted into something to wear.
SWEET SUCCESS: Deidre Marais sits patiently with her three fur babies in anticipation of a sale of her sweet treat delights at her market stall at the Boknes Padstal.
SWEET SUCCESS: Deidre Marais sits patiently with her three fur babies in anticipation of a sale of her sweet treat delights at her market stall at the Boknes Padstal.
HOLY SMOKES: Linda Potgieter shows the genuine Cuban cigars she is selling to a potential buyer among the patrons flocking to the Christmas market.
HOLY SMOKES: Linda Potgieter shows the genuine Cuban cigars she is selling to a potential buyer among the patrons flocking to the Christmas market.
HOT STUFF: Azeezah Paulse and Amir Paulse wait patiently for patrons to buy their delicious homemade Eastern delicacies at their stall at the market.
HOT STUFF: Azeezah Paulse and Amir Paulse wait patiently for patrons to buy their delicious homemade Eastern delicacies at their stall at the market.