Bargain Bunker

Paul Settecasse was travelling through Mexico a few years ago when Mexican Sugar Skulls caught his eye. Putting his design skills to work in the new medium, custom-making skulls based on Chicano-style low-rider art, traditional Day of the Dead, Japanese and old school tattoo designs, Settecasse made his triumphant entry into the world of markets.

“All my skulls are ceramic and are made using the slip cast method; once fired and sprayed I then pencil on designs and themes and hit them with ink and finish them with satin varnish. I have always admired people selling their art or products at markets, and it seemed like a fun way to spend the day and make some cash, and to test the waters for my art.” Proving so successful that Settecasse has turned his art into his day job, it also meant there was enough cash earned at the markets to inject some back into other stalls, which in turn led to his 'best find' yet: “A taxidermied piranha fish, for only five bucks!”

Von Virtu, known to the market crowd as Miz Smitten Kitten, found her favourite market find to be just as much of a bargain. “I love markets, especially trash and treasure type markets,” says Virtu. “My vintage mink stole would be my best find, it's over 60 years old and was a steal at $15 – the man I brought it off said he knew that I would treasure and look after it.” When she brings her collection of handmade and designed bows, cardigans, wallets, kewpie dolls and assorted bric-a-brac to Manning House on the weekend, it will mark her fourth consecutive Sydney Rock 'n' Roll & Alternative Market. “The main reason I keep trading at Sydney Rock 'n' Roll would be because of Tiffany [Palmer, organiser]. She does such an awesome job to make sure we are all looked after. The markets are her baby and she has a wide range of stalls so you won't see every second stall being the same and the atmosphere always brings in the best bands,” Virtu explains.

This time around Palmer has lined up the likes of The Rechords, Papa Pilko & The Binrats, The Beaut Utes, Mojo Juju and ska legends The Milky Bar Kids, in their first Sydney show in over 27 years. Virtu, for her part, has begun bringing her own baby along to the markets: one-year-old daughter Leihla aka Kitty. “She is like my market mascot. My fellow stallholders love watching her grow with each market I attend!” While Etsy has made it easier to kitsch up your kitchen without leaving your bedroom, how many of those purchases come with the cuteness of a cherub child, or a live soundtrack of swing and rockabilly?