Christmas is just around the corner, so we've put together a curated list prioritising sustainability, local makers, vintage and ethically made unique items at a range of prices that people will treasure for years to come.
We've shared the stories of each of these creators and small business owners to give you an insight into who you are supporting with each purchase.
Contents
- Elastic Design Planner
- Kokedamas
- Scrunchies and Headwraps
- Blue Kurinuki Vase
- HecticHedrons
- Sisu Botanicals
- Dapper Pupper
- EnviroShop Gift Packs
- The Power Tee from Clothing the Gap
- Cagey's Planet Hats and Totes
- Laneway Kids Organic Clothing
- Use-Ta Preloved Maternity, Baby and Kids Clothing
- The Makarlu
- Reusable Masks - made with African Fabrics
- Caleche Candles
- Wheat Bag Eye Pillow
Elastic Design Planner
Designed by Elastic Design, this weekly planner will make it easy to keep track of your shit to do, your habits and help prioritise those everyday tasks, we’ve also included a 2021 calendar. Keep it on your desk and work through each task mindfully without losing track of that random piece of paper – and ultimately – getting shit done.
Features:
- 175 x 250 mm
- 100 gsm paper
- Each page is the same design
- Cardboard base
- 50 sheets
Price and where to buy:
$16.00
Buy online at Order from Elastic Design's website
Who is it for:
People who work from home, people who procrastinate, people who want to get shit done.
Who made it:
Bridget Hoadley is a designer, illustrator and dyslexic thinker – she is curious about the world and loves exploring ideas with her out-of-the-box thinking and problem-solving for brands – and their audiences. Her design style is filled with colour pops, illustrations and bold elements while incorporating her sense of humour for some added fun.
Kokedamas
Kokedamas are made in Melbourne by Ana Soares. A kokedama is a ball of soil, covered with moss on which an ornamental plant grows. Our Plants came from our local Nursery Botanica Collective : Zanzibar Gem, Snow Queen, Chilli, Peperomia Polybotrya, Peperomia Lime, Sanseveria, Rhaphidophora Tetrasperma, Succulent.
Our Kokedamas contain: Ornamental Plant, Bonsail Soil, Peat Moss, Sphagnum Moss, Indoors Plant food by the plant runner & Neem Oil in the foliage.
Price and where to buy:
Small $20, Medium $25, Large $35
Order from IFE Products & Community's website.
Who made it:
Ana Soares, mother of 3. Based in Reservoir and I've started to make kokedamas one year ago as way to express my creativity and connection with mother earth. It has a been a very organic journey as I am constantly surrounded by designers and makers. My kokedamas have my own style, which it takes 3 stages by :
- Nurture the soils with plant-based food by @plantrunner
- Assembled with care and give the plant/soil time to blend/connect
- With good music, I just refine the shape by gently bringing all the elements together with twine.
The shape is dependent on the flow/roots. My Kokedamas are my way to connect with others through my love for Art/nature.
Scrunchies and Headwraps
Our store's goal is to make our customers feel empowered by our products by owning their unique sense of style. We aim to make you stand out and feel proud to show off your purchases.
We now say to you, be bold and own your style!
Scrunchies are packed in a beautiful red drawstring bag so that our customers do not worry about ways to package their gifts.
Our store also stocks headwraps, cotton and silk headbands.
Price and where to buy:
Scrunchies retail at $4 each. Other products range from $6.50 - $32.26.
Ordering Process
To order, visit Scrunchies and Headwraps online store
We are currently offering weekend delivery which is only available to Melbourne Metro residents.
Who is it for:
Our Scrunchies are designed with women and kids in mind, but suitable for anyone with long hair.
Who made it:
My name is Venus (I also go by Tammie). I am currently based in Thomastown, Victoria. I am a lover of colourful prints, mostly African inspired.
Blue Kurinuki Vase
A handmade vase created by slowly carving away at a solid block of clay. The vase is then fired once in a kiln and then specially formulated glazes and colour washes are applied and the piece is fired once again. The bottom is sanded smooth to avoid scratching furniture.
Price and Where to Buy:
$55 AUD
Order online via Dawn's website.
Who Is It For:
For anyone who loves nature, landscapes and flowers.
Who Made It:
Dawn is an Australian-Canadian potter and weaver. She loves rocks and minerals and the beautiful miniature worlds of mosses and fungi. All of her work is created in her Northcote studio.
HecticHedrons
The HecticHedron collection will provide you with a neverending puzzle of creation. By exploring mathematical shapes, you are left with endless design possibilities to discover. This is your puzzle, where will you take it?
HecticHedron components are produced from sustainable bamboo and use recycled packaging. No plastics are used in either the product or packaging.
Price and Where to Buy:
- Platonic solid pack: $68 - 20 triangles, 12 pentagons and 6 squares.
- Dodecahedron pack: $45 - 12 pentagons.
- Icosahedron pack: $28 - 20 triangles.
Prices do not include GST or postage.
Order from Invincible Creations' website.
Who Made It:
Invincible Creations is based in Fawkner, VIC and exists to explore the artistic side of skilful carpentry, unique design, and new embellished lighting modalities.
With years of exploratory testing, programming, researching, and developing with embedded lighting & mapped projections. Invincible Creations produces a distinct design signature of geometric designs and interactive, luminous features.
Invincible Creations is about using conventional construction methods for artistic, efficient purposes. Our work ranges from constructing new homes to artistic lighting creations and from large capacity music stages to do it yourself puzzles and art.
Sisu Botanicals
Sisu botanicals is selling hand-poured pure soy Candles, in locally made Tina Foley ceramics. They offer a range of different essential oil blends crafted by their herbalists for specific intentions and ritual. For example Lemongrass, fennel and eucalyptus. They also encourage you to re-use your stoneware once the candle is finished, or bring it back for their re-filling service. Where you choose your scent, and they can refill your candle.
Sisu Botanicals also offer vouchers for workshops. If you would like to gift experiences this Christmas, from plant-based cooking classes to home made incense or tea blending, this is a great option! The idea is to excite and empower people in plant medicine and health, the things they can source and make at home.
Sisu's plant-based Cooking Classes are designed for up to five people and tailored to your needs.
Price and Where to Buy:
Candles are all one of a kind and range from $30 - $90.
You can order candles online from Sisu Botanicals online store, or visit them at 25 Railway Place, Fairfield.
Learn more about plant-based cooking classes.
About Sisu Botanicals and Tina Foley
Nellie the creator of Sisu botanicals Apothecary and clinic, is a qualified Naturopath, Aromatherapist, and Herbalist.
Sisu Botanicals is a handmade bespoke wellbeing care apothecary sourcing organic botanicals to create small-batch herbal teas, tinctures, and other wellness goods. Locally sourced and 100 % grown without the use of chemicals, we have a range of makers in-store and also do workshops.
Tina Foley's studio is based in Thornbury and the majority of her work is wheel-thrown and fired twice to stoneware temperature. She loves creating functional pieces and hopes that the cups that she makes are filled with tea and offer some warmth and the bowls are filled with food to be shared with friends and family. Both believe strongly in doing all we can to reduce our imprint on this planet so came up with the idea of making refillable candles in quality stoneware.
Dapper Pupper
Dapper Pupper creates custom bandanas for dogs. Each piece is made-to-order, so you can add your dog's name, select your fabric, lettering style and colours. We're all about personalisation but pay a lot of attention to sustainability. Dapper Pupper is a part of noissue's Eco-Alliance, meaning we wrap our products in sustainable tissue paper, with our unique design printed with soy-based ink to prevent harm to the environment. To minimise postage waste, all single bandana orders are posted out in compostable paper envelopes. We only reach for compostable cardboard boxes for orders over 2 units, which are then shipped out in compostable mailer bags sealed with biodegradable tape.
Price and Where to Buy:
- $50 (not including shipping)
- All new customers get 10% off their first purchase
- All Christmas orders can be gift wrapped in a festive theme
- Custom handwritten card available upon request (perfect for gifting!)
Order online from Dapper Pupper's website.
Who's it For?
Pet owners/ pet lovers/ people wanting to buy a gift for their friends' pets.
Who made it:
Dapper Pupper is a handmade project founded by North Melbourne based designer/illustrator, Wanissa Somsuphangsri. All pieces are 100% handmade with love!
EnviroShop Gift Packs
Brush It On have created a variety of beautiful and sustainable gift packs which come in different colours representing different causes you wish to support.
Each box contains lots of ethical products plus a card with more information about the specific project to explain how our gift packs keep on giving. The three different packs that EnviroShop are stocking are Indulge, Green Home& Out & About.
Price and Where to Buy:
$36.95 - $49.95
Order online from the EnviroShop's website
Who made it:
Brush It On was created to fight plastic pollution by helping you make conscious choices without sacrificing your lifestyle. They donate 100% of their profits to conservation projects that protect the world's oceans, forests and animals. Located in Geelong, they are motivated to provide a wider range of zero waste personal care products.
The Power Tee from Clothing the Gap
The Power tee (shown far right) is 100% cotton and is made in on Wurundjeri Country in Thomastown and meets the Ethical Clothing Australia guidelines. This tee celebrates the NAIDOC 2020 theme ‘Always Was, Always Will Be’.
It's more than a Tee. It's a conversation starter.
Who's it for?
This tee is for everyone (ally friendly) to wear loud and proud.
Price and Where to Buy:
$80 for the Power Tee and they also stock other Tshirts that range from $40 -$50 Shop online from Clothing the Gap's Website
Who made it:
Clothing The Gap is an Aboriginal owned and led social enterprise. Our business started in High St Preston and we have just moved to 744 Sydney Rd Brunswick where we will be opening a store front in December!
Cagey's Planet Hats and Totes
Cagey's Planet's No Hat No Play Bucket Hat comes in two colours and are made from terry cloth, a woven fabric with loops that absorb water so perfect for the beach and those sweaty, summer days! All products are 100% sweatshop free, child labour free and forced labour free.
Price and Where to Buy:
$45 purchase from Cagey's Planet Website
Cagey's Planet's Nothing Lasts Forever Tote Bags are made from 100% organic cotton. They come in 4 colours and are eco-friendly and sustainably sourced, made using 100% renewable energy and printed with earth-friendly inks.
Price and Where to Buy
$25 purchase from Cagey's Planet Website
Who made it:
The creator of Cagey'sPlanet is Carolyn, who started the ethical clothing label in 2016 to raise money and awareness on local and global issues. She's based in Abbotsford, and her products are listed online.
Laneway Kids Organic Clothing
Here Comes the Sun TShirt
Super retro tee for all the rad littles out there! This gorgeous print is designed by Elin Granath for Vintage in my heart and printed in very limited quantities.
Because this product is handmade every item is unique and pattern placement may vary.
95 cotton 5 % elastane, Oeko-tex certified, Handmade in Melbourne.
Red Hearts Dress
Our retro red hearts twirly is perfect for Christmas!
Available in sizes 0-8 years and with brown or white binding. Please let us know your requested size and binding color at checkout. Made to order with a turnaround time of 2-3 weeks.
Please consider that postage times are longer than usual, place your order well in time! Express post is also available at checkout at an extra cost.
This amazing print is made by Swedish pattern designer Räven och ugglan for Trådsnella.
95% cotton 5% elastane, GOTS certified, Handmade in Melbourne.
Price and Where to Buy
Red Hearts Dress: $59
Here Comes the Sun TShirt $37
Order from: the Laneway Kids Design Website
Who made it?
I’m the maker behind Lanewaykids design. My name is Hanna and I currently live with my family in Preston but am originally from Gothenburg Sweden. I love retro design and scandi inspired kids clothing and want to make comfortable, playful clothes that aren’t gendered. Being kind to the planet is important to us so we believe in slow fashion and using eco friendly fabrics and packaging.
Use-Ta Preloved Maternity, Baby and Kids Clothing
A range of quality preloved maternity, baby and kid’s clothing. Prices start at $5.
Where to Buy
Shop online at The Use-Ta Website or pop in to our Thornbury store, 703 High Street, Thornbury.
About the Business
Thornbury local, Kiri, is the owner of Use-Ta!
In 2014, she was looking after her toddler and working as a cleaner. In just about every family home she cleaned, there was an overabundance of outgrown clothing that parents were struggling to keep up with. Spotting an opportunity to use her background in fashion for a business that was sustainability focused, solved a problem for busy parents, and gave families like hers the opportunity to buy rad clothes for their kids, she started Use-Ta! Six years on, both the online and bricks and mortar stores are thriving- rehoming an average of around 50,000 pieces of clothing every year. Use-Ta! is all about being more sustainable, more affordable and more fun!
The Makarlu
The Makarlu is made in Brisbane but is such an innovative and sustainable product we just had to include it!
You can use the Makalu to enhance balance and stability, grip strength and proprioceptive awareness as well as self massage.
It is sustainably made in Australia and has won numerous design awards.
Garden of Yoga have made some videos for inspiration:
Garden of Yoga Travel Makarlu Video
Garden of Yoga Neck, Shoulders and Jaw video
Price and Where to Buy
Prices start at $195 which includes express postage - you can use the discount code MAKFLOW for 10% off. Order from the Makarlu Website
About the Creator
Carla Mullins is an ex-lawyer turned pilates and movement teacher and creator of the Makarlu Lotus. She discovered pilates while dealing with some serious health issues and how this has inspired her to help others.
The Makarlu has great applications for aiding people with peripheral neuropathy or other neurological conditions. Listen to The Flow Artists Podcast episode with Carla here.
Reusable Masks - made with African Fabrics
Reusable Handmade Mask. Designed by Mask by loulou in collaboration with IFE.Products.Community
Locally made in Melbourne and followed the guidelines: Ear Loops - 2 pieces of Elastic, Fabric blends: Cotton/polyester/polypropylene
The production of this mask follows the guidelines of the Department of Health and Human
Services. It counts with three layers of cloth, which covers from the nose to the chin.
IMPORTANT: Remember to wash the mask with each use!
Price and Where to Buy
$20 from IFE Products and Community website
About the Creator
They are made in Melbourne by Louisa M, a Mother, Midwife and wife based in Alphigton. You can see more of her creations on the Masks by LouLou Instagram.
Caleche Candles
Available in Ambre, Ambered Sandal-wood, Vanilla Sandal-wood, Neroli and Ylang Ylang, Vanilla Bourbon, French Pear, Egyptian Musk, Japanese Honey Suckle, Lemongrass and Persian Lime.
160g - Single Wick - 30 Hours 400g - Double Wick - 60 Hours.
All candles come presented in a reinforced gift box.
The Price and Where to Buy
Single wick: $20, Double Wick: $30
Order from IFE Products and Community Website
About the Creator
Paris, from Caleche Candles is based in Berwick. She is an independent and perfectionist in her craft. Her dedication and passion to make beautiful Candles is a reflection of her kind personality and generous soul.
Wheat Bag Eye Pillow
Sustainably made from wheat, cotton and rose or lavender for the scented pillows. Eye pillows are a lovely way to enhance your meditation or relaxation. They can also be used hot or cold which can help relieve headaches and back pain. They come in a sturdy box and make a great gift.
Available in the following colours and scent options:
Waratah print: Rose
Seaside print: Lavender
Green gum nut print: Lavender
Black and white eucalyptus print: unscented
Price and Where Buy
$25 order from the Garden of Yoga Website
About the Creator
Wheatbags Love was founded in 2014 by Kim Stark. Back in the day when she was a remedial massage therapist she got a little frustrated by how ugly your standard wheatbag was. What was with all the corduroy in bad colours? Determined not to sell those in her clinic she started making her own. Then she started screen printing her own fabric and selling to other similarly minded clinics and gift stores… 6 years later her love of such a wonderful, helpful product that brings such joy to people hasn’t dimmed.
Wheatbags love use only natural and organic materials that are biodegradable. We source locally as much as we can and use recyclable packaging. They reduce waste by only cuting shapes out of our fabric that will leave minimal waste. Everything is made in their Melbourne studio with well-paid staff so we know 100% that our product is ethically manufactured.
