mmg.com.au

A group of mothers have somehow managed to find the time to follow their passions and are on the verge of hosting their fourth successful market.

Wanting to offer quality niche items they felt were missing from the Benalla region, Naomi DeWinne and Reggie Ogden put their heads together in 2011 and came up with Twig & Bloom Boutique Market.

‘‘We started creating our own products — we really wanted to create high-quality items for a petite market,’’ Naomi said.

The first event was a success and the pair have since welcomed Candice Jones and Stacey Hedderman to the team.

Two more markets were organised last year, with 500 people officially counted through the door during the first hour of the previous market.

One-hundred goodie bags were handed to those first through the doors, and will again be provided.

This month’s market will be in the same venue, St Joseph’s Hall, Benalla, and offers 30 stalls of niche creations, from children’s clothings and hats, soy candles, exquisite jewellery, handmade soaps and graphically designed nursery items.

Coffee, sushi and cupcakes will be on offer, as well as a sausage sizzle out the front, this time offered as a fundraiser for St Joseph’s Primary School.

‘‘We also try to keep one fundraiser stall open for a smaller, lesser-known charity,’’ graphic designer Candice said.

‘‘Last year was the Cambodian Orphanage Fund and it’s the Heart Kids this time.’’

The stallholders are all hand-picked and limited to a maximum of 30.

‘‘We had 51 applications for 30 stores this time,’’ Stacey said.

‘‘We try to take local mums first — it’s been very easy to fill 30 stalls.’’

The ladies said there will also be a fantastic raffle on the day.