Cozy & Chaotic

With John Luckman, owner of Hands on Australia St, Newtown.

I walked into Hands on Australia Street looking for a present for my sister. A simple task, in theory. In reality, it’s the kind of place where that plan unravels pretty quickly. You don’t just browse here, you orbit. Pick something up, put it down, get distracted, double back. It’s all part of it.

Run by John, Hands is a homewares and gift store that feels more like a collection of discoveries than a traditional shop. Shelves stacked, tables layered, every surface holding something worth a closer look. It leans into what Newtown does best, a little bit chaotic, a lot considered.

“We curate really unique items… things you can’t find in other gift shops,” John says.

And it shows. Ceramics, glassware, prints, cards, objects that feel somewhere between art and utility. Pieces that don’t scream for attention but hold it once you notice them. It’s a space built on supporting independent makers, bringing together artists and brands from all over and giving them a place to sit side by side.

“This is by a local artist called Yang Qiu… she hand makes these weird fruit, abstract ceramics in Marrickville,” John says, holding up one of the more playful pieces.

Next to it, glassware by Neal Drobnis, hand-blown vessels, each one with its own face, slightly offbeat, completely unique. The kind of thing you pick up as a gift and immediately consider keeping for yourself.

If you asked John to describe Newtown in one word, it’s “cozy and chaotic.” And that’s exactly what Hands feels like too.

There’s an ease to the space. You can take your time, wander, get a bit lost in it. But there’s also a constant movement, people coming in, picking things up, finding something they didn’t expect. It’s that balance that makes it work.

“Even if you don’t think you’re going to get something… you’ll definitely pick something up.” 

He’s not wrong. What started as a quick stop for a gift turned into a slow loop of the store, mentally bookmarking things, reconsidering others, and eventually landing on something that felt just right.

Hands fits perfectly into the rhythm of Australia Street. Creative, slightly unpredictable, and full of character. A place where the best finds aren’t always the ones you came in for.

Safe to say, my sister did pretty well out of it.

Hands
279 Australia St, Newtown NSW 2042
@handsshopau
hands.com.au