How to shop small but make a big impact this Christmas

I'm going to make Christmas shopping extremely easy for you this year... thank me later! I'm so excited to introduce you to these talented and passionate small business owners and let you know where you can find absolutely gorgeous, unique gifts that are sure to leave your loved ones squealing with delight! I much prefer to know where my money is going and knowing that I'm supporting the ventures of local legends makes my shopping feel even better. Scroll down and tick Christmas shopping off of your to-do list!

Words She Wrote is a Strathalbyn based business offering hand lettering and design services. Could it get much more personal that gifting your very own message in beautiful handwriting for your loved one to display? We have two of these in Flynn's nursery and can't wait to add more to our collection. Be sure to grab your stylish letterpress christmas cards too! 

Brittany Weckert, or the ‘she’ behind Words She Wrote started scribbling on anything she could get her hands on from the moment she received her pen licence back at Moonta Area School at the tender age of 7. As many artists will tell you, Britt didn't consider that this creative outlet could actually be a legitimate career path so instead, she has spent the past 9 years gaining general business and management skills through personal assistant and marketing roles within iconic South Australian organisations, including the Hilton Adelaide, Penfolds Magill Estate, Restaurant Orana and the Glenelg Football Club.

In December 2015, inspired by the success of fellow South Australian woman Tania DeBono (The Writing), Britt took to scribbling song lyrics to liven up her apartment and decided to share an image on social media.  So began the flood of requests for commissioned pieces! Brittany has spent the past year honing the skill of lettering and finding her own style, which I'm sure you'll agree she has nailed. 

Contact Brittany
Website: www.wordshewrote.com.au (Going live 5th December!)
​Email: brittany@wordsshewrote.com.au Instagram: @wordsshewrote

Meet Lucie from LP Handmade! A 19 year old from Strathalbyn, creating a stunning range of clay and wooden jewellery and accessories. LP Handmade began as a year 12 design project and quickly escalated to direct orders, markets and wholesaling to boutique gift stores South Australia wide! 

Lucie has always had a creative passion and a desire to make something handmade and unique. She says she '...loved having something that no one else had'. Countless hours spent researching, creating and completing assignments became worth while when school was over and Lucie was suddenly being approached by stores wanting to stock her products!

Lucie takes great pride in the fact that all of her creations are unique. It was important that her business name, (LP being her initials) included the word 'handmade' letting customers know that they are getting a unique, one-of-a-kind product. Using polymer and fimo clays, her earring patterns are never identical and each clay bead is hand rolled. Tremendous patience and passion at such a young age. Just one year after establishing LP.Handmade, Lucie has completed her first year of 'Bachelor of Business, Advanced Leadership' at Flinders University as well as continuing to grow her business and sharing her unique products. Watch this space, this is a girl who is going places!! Of course you are desperate to know where to find these creations? 

Stockists
Pearle Boutique, Pony, Kohl & Soda, Best Wishes, The Ivy Room, Lotus Gifts, Little Bohemian
Contact Lucie
Instagram - @lp.handmade Email - luciepike@hotmail.com

I've had the pleasure of introducing you to Alysha Sparks from One of a Kind Design before. If you missed it, do yourself a favour and check her out here. Alysha is local to Jamestown and offers stunning paintings in a variety of styles - abstract florals, colourful abstracts and a selection of more realistic animal portraits. She works with acrylics and her work is beautifully framed and ready for your wall. All who see Alysha's work fall head over heels in love with it - you would be in the good books for all of 2017 for gifting one of these! 
Contact Alysha
​Facebook: @alyshasparksartist Instagram: @oneofakind_alyshasparks

Meet Andrew and Kim from The Field Wholefoods! The Field is a bulk health food store stocking a range of nuts, grains, seeds, dried fruit, mueslis, flours, teas and they also do coffee and delicious smoothies. What I love about them is that they only sell what they eat themselves and feed to their two adorable children Sophie (2.5 years) and Jimmy (10 months) at home. That goes for the food's nutritional value, geographic sourcing and low waste and environmental impact.

This is a family business which is obvious from the minute you walk through the door and talk to the staff. The people who work at The Field Wholefoods have a genuine interest in food, its nutritional value and how to cook with it. On staff are aspiring dietitians, nutritionists and naturopaths, along with Andrew, an Ironman Triathlete with a 15 year history in advertising, and Kim, a Pharmacist and mother of two young children.

The Field Wholefoods was created by Andrew and Kim in January this year. Kim is officially on 'maternity leave' after having their second child but she actively works in the business at the Hyde Park store while Andrew gets their brand new Brickworks store up and running. Andrew says they made the decision to create The Field Wholefoods so that "...our kids don’t know any different when it comes to food and how to cook with it. When Sophie comes into the shop and requests some goji berries, an acai smoothie or some chia for breakfast you know you’re on the right track!" He says "...the health side of things is one thing, but job satisfaction and the potential to make a living out of something we’re both passionate about is something that we will hopefully look back on one day with great satisfaction." 

How awesome is the passion that this couple has for their business and their family?? But back to Christmas shopping - I love this idea! The Field sell a range of pre made jars, for example Energy Ball jars - all you need to do is tip them in to a food processor and roll into balls! The picture above is of a 'Seedy Crackers' jar, you literally just soak them for 15 minutes, spread on a tray and bake for an hour. Clever and creative gift ideas, but also an easy, healthy snack option to keep you on track during the festive season.

Make sure you check them out at these locations:
158 King William Rd, Hyde Park
Shop T35 Brickworks Marketplace
​Website: http://www.thefieldwholefoods.com.au/
Instagram: @thefieldwholefoods
158 King William Road, Hyde Park
158 King William Road, Hyde Park

Meet Frog (AKA Alice Elliott) of Frogs Frills! Alice, originally from country SA and now local to Adelaide, started dabbling with the creation of Frills in 2015 which was no surprise to those who know her as she has a clear obsession with statement jewellery pieces. Alice says she loves "...to wear something that is a topic of conversation or just that bit different. You won't see everyone walking down the streets in the same necklace!"

Alice started out making her 'Frills' only for herself and gradually things have expanded as people see them and just have to have one! Alice says she loves seeing people getting excited by having a Frill created especially for them. She is a physiotherapist by day and a 'Frogs Friller' by night so enjoys the opportunity to get creative.

How do you get yourself 'Frilled Up'?? The easiest way is to private message Alice or pop a comment on the photo on Facebook or Instagram of the necklace you like and she will get in touch regarding availability and price. Alice is also happy to discuss design and colour requests as available. 

All Frogs Frills are hand crafted by an absolute perfectionist and range from $40-80.

Find Frog
​Facebook: @frogsfrills2016 Instagram: @frogsfrills

Happy shopping!

​Tamsin