Image Created by Dinuki Gamage
It’s the holiday season, which means time to give some small local businesses some love and support. Check out some of our fave small biz people for all your gift giving needs!
(S/Out to Zoe Nicholls who is the CEO of discovering the best small businesses... you go Zoe!)
Pieces of Marcelle - Recommendation by Lilly Walsh
Pieces of Marcelle is a statement earrings store and one of my fave small businesses I’ve discovered through Instagram. The owner Marcelle creates unique, bright and loud earrings that are cute, hypoallergenic and lightweight. This is the gorgeous pair from Marcelle that I own – titled “I’m a lil anxious but also feeling super strong” earrings.
Marcelle’s earring making is a therapeutic process for her and she releases them in themes that reflect different aspects of her life. Marcelle is so so generous in sharing her experiences, opinions and thoughts with her followers which span across personal stories, mental health and trauma, sexuality, race, the law, political events and more. I learn a lot from consuming her content and she has done an amazing job at cultivating a little community through her profile.
Last week Marcelle dropped a few collections including a 2021 Holiday Collection so make sure you jump online and get your Chrissy orders in now!
Pazadz - Recommendation by Talani Cooke
Pazadz (Paris) is a Melbourne based designer who considers fashion to be a “spectator’s sport.” She embraces bold colours and textures in her pieces, ranging from sequinned hoodies to corsets. I first came across her brand during last years lockdown when the mask mandate came in. I bought a pink linen hooped mask and a hot pink velvet mask and I have been obsessed with her brand since. In her blog, she wrote that it’s important to her that the pieces she make are "forever pieces” - to be loved and worn and lived in for a long time, maybe even by lots of different people.’ In this pledge and appreciation to sustainability, Paris has recognised that ‘clothes are a long term commitment’ and this is evident through her custom and made to order pieces. Pazadz embraces everything I love about fashion and expressing yourself and I can’t wait to see what she does next! You can find her website here.
Tanishka jewellery - Recommendation by Shambavi Alagarswami
Last year during lockdown, I was on a simple mission: find a small business that made beautiful, long lasting jewellery pieces I could wear everyday not turn my skin green. It feels like I manifested Tanishka Jewellery, run by Tany from Melbourne, who puts so much love and passion into finding and handmaking sustainable sterling silver, gold and gold fill pieces. Of all the pieces I have bought, I wear the signature North Star hoops and Chunky Silver hoops everyday, and I especially love the vintage pieces she collects and reworks. Tany at Tanishka Jewellery does not mass produce, she puts batches of pieces that are curated so if you see something you like over at her website you better grab it before it’s gone!
This is me wearing some chunky silver hoops and a necklace made by Tanishka.
Platter n Boe - Recommendation by Lucinda Gray
Platter n Boe is a thriving small business that comprises grazing tables, grazing boxes and corporate catering located in Cranbourne. I first discovered Platter n Boe through Instagram during one of our many 2020 lockdowns in Melbourne. Although Platter n Boe had originally started as grazing platters and catering, they quickly shifted direction when lockdown hit and used their grazing boxes to continue to operate. They were perfect for iso birthdays or backyard picnics. The owner of the business, Boe, works alongside other small Victorian businesses to fill her grazing platters and boxes with local produce and even makes some of her own yummy treats, like her famous rocky road!
Here is one of the delicious grazing boxes I ordered during lockdown last year.
I have had the pleasure of ordering three boxes from her now over the past year and am always so impressed by the quality and quantity of the food. Platter n Boe have a range of different boxes and tables, from dessert themed, cheese themed and even speciality boxes for birthdays and holidays. Since we have emerged from lockdown, Boe has now started ‘Platter n Sip’ classes where you can learn how to create your own platter boxes with friends with drinks on arrival and you get to take home what you make! Boe has also spoken about her brother who is hearing impaired and has offered Auslan interpreters at these ‘Platter n Sip’ classes to make it more accessible for the deaf community.
Quirky Cup Collective - Recommendation by Jacinda Hill
Based in Adelaide, South Australia, The Quirky Cup Collective is run by 26 year old Sydonie, who started the business in 2014. On her website, she explains how she started the venture by making individualised tea cups for each of her friends that matched their ‘Quirks.’ Today, the Quirky Cup Collective sells beautiful Zodiac, Tarot and witchy inspired gifts, ranging from bookmarks and prints to beautiful plates and tea cups.
La’Bang Candles - Recommendation by Talani Cooke
I was lucky to stumble across La’Bang’s candles during Melbourne’s second lockdown. Their sweet and nostalgic scents, ranging from Musk Sticks to Cinnamon donuts were a real treat and made tirelessly writing my thesis in my bedroom feel a lot more special. After sampling a couple of the candles, I committed to getting an eco-friendly electronic melter which doubles as a super cute lamp. It has been a staple on my bedside table ever since.
Leafy Langwarrin - Recommended by Zoe Nicholls and Talani Cooke
Going to Leafy Langwarrin feels like walking through a sanctuary for plant lovers. Laura (the owner) has a collection of the most beautiful and curious indoor plants that won’t hurt your hip pocket. She is always up for a chat and is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to your plant-picking and gift-giving needs. I often pop into o Leafy Langwarrin when I am shopping for presents, and I myself have a couple of plants which are now a few years old and still going strong.
Hearty Homewares - Recommended by Talani Cooke
Hearty Homewares (HH) may have only launched in September, but this Sydney-based brand has already left a lasting impression. Using the environmentally conscious jesmonite, Hearty Homewares handcrafts trays, plant pots and coasters in natural, charcoal, marble and terrazzo designs that add class and elegance to any space. They are also water resistant - so a perfect home to keep your drinks, jewelry or other trinkets.
Scrunchbybecky - Recommended by Zoe Nicholls
Based in Blind Bight, ScrunchByBecky makes scrunchies in a beautiful array of fabrics and materials - available in three sizes. In addition to her gorgeous scrunchies, ScrunchbyBecky also sells other hair accessories including hair clips, brushes and claw clips. Our precious pups aren’t left out either - Becky also sells dog bandana’s - adorable! Did I say she ships worldwide?!
B.and.e_candles - Recommended by Zoe Nicholls
Run by the duo Emma and Brie in Langwarrin, b.and.e_candles create beautiful and handcrafted soy candles, melts and car diffusers, at very affordable prices. These treats are the perfect gift for your Kris Kringle. Local pick up, delivery and postage are all available too - win, win!
The.Gracie.collection - Recommended by Zoe Nicholls
As a self-taught jeweller, Gracie creates delicate and dainty jewellery from recycled silver. She crafts simple yet timeless styles with gorgeous stones, including opals and tourmalines. Gracie regularly hits the markets if you want to see her creations in person- she will be at the next Emu Plains market on the 18 December!
Chuckleandwood - Recommended by Zoe Nicholls
Chuckleandwood is a well-kept secret by those in the know. They create sweet, flowery and pascal-escue key chains, lanyards, jewelry and even homewares. Each product is also homemade in Melbourne! These little bits and pieces are the perfect stocking filler or Kris Kringle - OR a present for your recently graduated and employed friend who needs somewhere to keep their office keys without losing them!
By.peachyrose - Recommended by Zoe Nicholls
By.peachyrose is a Mornington Peninsula based artist who creates bohemian artwork featuring themes of feminine empowerment and body positivity. While her website is currently under maintenance, you can find her on instagram and she frequents local crafts markets, including the Emu Plains market.
AngeLSoap - Recommendation by Zoe Nicholls
AngeLSoap is a small business run by a mother and daughter duo that sell artisanal soaps that look so good you won’t want to use them! They make a great addition to any self-care hamper.
They also have super satisfying soap cutting videos on their instagram:
The Movie Box Co - Recommended by Talani Cooke
If you miss those Saturday nights going to Blockbuster to pick out three new-releases and six weekly videos as much as I do, then the Movie Box Co is where you can bring those nostalgic vibes back! Zena runs one of Australia’s first movie snack box stores, where you can order all of your favourite movie snacks - whether it be for watching Netflix on the couch or hitting up the drive-ins. These would also be a perf addition to hitting up the Melbourne Moonlight Cinema. The delicious boxes have a variety of snacks including popcorn, Malteasers, skittles and more. Did I mention she delivers Australia-wide?