Dazzling colour striped across handwoven cloth and laces create Incan sneakers at the
Pure Inca stall. Stunning unique jewellery and other items handmade in Cusco, Peru, beckon you to investigate. Many pieces of jewellery in the wide range have spiritual meanings from the ancient Incas. Large semi-precious stones clothed in swirled silver may lighten your wallet.
Pure Inca offers much more than dazzling shoes.
A mild day in winter is the perfect time to browse the Margaret Street Markets, an initiative of
City Heart Toowoomba.
Enjoy a lazy Sunday afternoon stroll with the pets, avoiding the morning crowd.
Bring your pets to the Gour-Mutt stall for an exciting variety of treats for dogs and cats, including roo or pork bone or emu, bacon and roo sticks. Doggy donuts made of yoghurt with sugar icing will keep your dog happy till dinnertime.
You may wish to refresh your palate with coconut ice, fudge or macaroons from a stall or visit one of the many cafes in 'Eat Street'.
Take home tongue-tinglers in jars from Brandis Home Grown's range of chilli sauces, chutneys, relish, pickles and attractive gift packs. Pick up a bargain at the quilt stall and select from gorgeous country-patterned quilts, visit
Megan Darr's stall of local art and see
Likeable Animals featuring adorable wallets and home wares.
Other stalls include
Scarf Girl with elegant scarves and hats at reasonable prices,
Fairy Dell featuring delicate ornaments, or
Meekz Contemporary Jewellery hand made from recycled materials. Meekz gold and silversmith Jemica Ostrofski enjoys making jewellery with moveable parts and urban aesthetics.
The Fairy Dell stall's owner is as ethereal as her wares.
Many more stalls fill the street and are accompanied by live rock music in the earlier morning, mellowing to acoustic in the afternoon.
You will want to stay till lunchtime so you could include the shops in your leisure time. The Middle Eastern Woven Treasures may appeal if you fancy browsing the rugs or cuddly stuffed camels.
Lunch perhaps at Bon Amici, Pizza & Pie or the Biriyani Hut if you feel adventurous, for the best curry in town. My option was Michelle's Vegetarian where I scoffed a huge bowl of delicious thick and creamy leek and cauliflower soup with toasted sourdough for only $8. All day breakfast is available and the cabinet houses a large variety of unusual sweets including peanut butter and purple vanilla cupcakes.
Whet your appetite for a beautiful bargain. The Margaret Street Markets operate on the first Sunday of the month from 8am to 2pm. Browse the stalls for a relaxing break from your working week.
