Summer holiday fruits this year is looking a lot different. I’m at my parent’s property in the northern hemisphere having travelled solo after nearly 25 years from my home in the southern hemisphere. I'm enjoying the variety of bananas that I lament not being able to source in Australia. My sister pointed out that
It's been a while since my last post. A lot has been happening as you might imagine. I've had two start up businesses approach me to create products, namely soaps and skincare items with locally produced raw materials. This is a project after my own heart as I do get quite a buzz working
It's spring but still so cold and windy! So, I'm still mostly indoors spinning wool and ideas for new products to add to my ever expanding list. Talking of new products, I finally have a special topical salve that many of my customers over the years have requested - Natural Skin Aid Salve as
My free postage deal for purchases of $50 and over has been working a treat for many. After some thought, I have decided to keep this on for at least until the end of the year. It is something I intend to review as time goes on. Along with my customers, I have also
It is now established. No more markets for the foreseeable future until this current crisis is over. So where does this leave me and my business? I’ve had the luxury of free time to mull this over. Suffice to say that I am in a place of quiet rest and creativity. The cash flow
There are some key words that are foundational in my business. Local is one of them. A major portion of products at handmadeandmarina depends on raw materials from local sources and outlets. As I have often reiterated in the past, no local resources, no handmadeandmarina! So it follows that my handmade soaps are olive oil
I'm amazed that the chillie plants are looking their best at this time of the year! In the little plot pictured, I've got 7 varieties growing happily oblivious that we've entered Autumn and about to usher in cooler climes. These chillies will make their way
It's Autumn here already in this corner of Australia and I've got a number of gardening projects that I'm hanging out to get started on! The rush to start planting out winter vegetable seedlings might be a bit premature though as there are a few more 30'C days ahead of us. Last Sunday's seedling