Community strength and environmental integrity, two pinnacles of the buy local movement.

Since the inaugural market season our salty souls have been working toward creating an ecologically sound event space which does more good than harm for the beautiful corner of the planet we gratefully call home. One ripple effect we were pleasantly blindsided by was the social change and community outreach our humble little market supports.

The anonymous quote “When you choose small business you’re choosing a dream” couldn’t ring more true for what we’ve witnessed over the years at the Summer x Salt Markets.

But it’s not just bakers bringing you baked goods just how Grandma made, or floral arrangements curated by your childhood neighbour; it’s the stories behind the creation. And we have discovered there are many.

Similar to our Meet The Maker blog series this little piece delves into the stories behind the makers, how it’s led them home to their inner creative, and why when you choose to #shoplocal (and #staysalty) you’re supporting something much greater than the individual, their dream, their journey and even the planet they live on. You’re supporting a ripple of social change driven by a grassroots vision.

(Image: @wildfire_wellness)

Growing from the ground up, we’ve watched our local alchemist Haidee Coulson share her blends of precious oils and other locally harvested fruit and flora to strengthen the health of the community. Conscious Culture has been an evolution of Haidee’s biomed background and a beauty therapy course completed many moons ago.

Haidee says she creates products based on what people like to put on their bodies and around their homes.

Growing from the ground up, we’ve watched our local alchemist Haidee Coulson share her blends of precious oils and other locally harvested fruit and flora to strengthen the health of the community. Conscious Culture has been an evolution of Haidee’s biomed background and a beauty therapy course completed many moons ago.

Haidee says she creates products based on what people like to put on their bodies and around their homes.

“I get insights from friends and family then trial it and create a new formula based on the ideas that spring from these conversations” she says. 

It’s clear to see when speaking to our makers the products are an extension of them; they’re creative energy made manifest into physical form. So when asked to name her top three products, which by the way are her signature deodorant paste, the moon goddess serum and her coffee scrub blend, it had Haidee splitting hairs over her divine range.

Just as Conscious Culture Co supports our people’s health, the effort to support the planet is impressive, and she was willing to share with us her process.

Here’s the blueprint:

  • All packaging from local sources: bottles from a local glass making company who order in the pipettes from their cousin company in QLD (currently the only carbon footprint the packaging side of the business creates)
  • You get to know your suppliers as people and you begin to work together like family
  • Labels – env eco printing company in Malaga ink are organic and tox free and labels made from recycled packaging
  • Offering of a refill program – this year all of the products are all recycled

The first year of business was about creating something people would resonate with and from there it’s been a journey toward making it a more sustainable venture,” she says.

Where there is a WA grown option for my blends I will always choose to support local, it’s a constant effort to swap for local sources

You get to know your suppliers and over time the relationship begins to resemble family business.

I get my wax from a local beehive in Maylands, my eucalyptus from a Kalamunda farm, and I have recently found a local calendula grower which is pretty rad,” she says.

Whilst Haidee does her bit to source flora from the ground, another maker Colm Macdonagh does his bit to keep unnecessary debris returning to the ground as landfill.

The man behind Off Cut Skateboards puts a new spin on “one man’s trash being another’s treasure.”

When Colm’s wife bought a board off gumtree 6 years ago his trade in joinery would become an affinity for a new creative project; one that would involve diving into skip bins.

Seeing the masses of building material waste at demolition sites he began recovering perfectly good wood debris, namely timber and hardwood.

Colm says he’s always delighted in the challenge of turning “junk” into something beautiful.

“People are drawn to something that’s handcrafted; something they can see and touch, there’s no shortcuts, it’s made with care, something unique,” he says.

Since picking up skateboard design Colm has built about 30 boards in three different sizes.

“There’s a board for everyone, a 40” longboard, 33” cruiser, and a 26” mini board which is versatile for kids and can also be used by public transport commuters,” he says.

But he says it’s more than the physical process of creating something.

“I think for anybody that creates, it’s a mental switch off.”
“It does more for your mental health than anything else,” he says.

For our final maker, Pop and Crackle her design process is not only a therapeutic release, but a way of connecting to a passed loved one.

Seeking a creative outlet Ami reignited a past jewellery crafting hobby and brought her sister Kia along for the ride. 

“Kia passed away last year, and she remains very much a part of the Pop and Crackle story, and it’s why I still create” Ami says.

From tragedy the Pop and Crackle family have witnessed a continual wave of community generosity.

“From the start the community banded together and since, collecting 10% of all profits from this support, Pop and Crackle has raised over $3000 for the Youth Cancer Centre.” she says.

The story behind these two sisters’ business is reason enough to #shoplocal, needless to mention the polymer clay accessories and homewares range is unique in more ways than one.

Purchasing a Pop and Crackle piece to adorn yourself or your house with you are supporting a small business doing good in the world.

No piece of the polymer clay slabs are wasted and all materials are sourced as sustainably as possible.

Everything can be repurposed, pieces that are seemingly imperfect to use for the accessory range can be utilised as a component in a wall hanging piece or another homeware piece.” Ami says.

Being a mum it’s important for me that my work is conducted in a way that supports the future of the planet for my children,” she says.

Ami is part of a new movement of female entrepreneurs creating a work life that fits with the family. This is why her creative outlet is so important to her, she says.

As a working mum to have a space to connect to Kia, a happy place where I create and call it work is truly a blessing,” she says.

So when sifting through the rainbow key-rings, funky 90s inspired berets, and brass/ clay combo earrings you are voting for a change supporting entrepreneurial mums like Ami.

Ami, Haidee and Colm’s stories are just three from the makers family that make up the Summer x Salt Markets.

These markets may have started with the mission to create more eco friendly options for the community, but what we’ve come to realise is when people support small businesses and creatives they empower individuals to reconnect to passions, support community mental health and in turn raise the health of the community and the planet.

When you opt to shop local you:

  • Support individuals, diverting money away from multinationals
  • Stimulate your local economy to support its community
  • Protect quality by mitigating harmful byproducts sometimes present in imported goods
  • Reduce transportation emissions and costs
  • Open an opportunity for small business networks to develop
  • Help keep unnecessary resources in the ground
  • Empower people to make conscious change through their business mission

Visit us this season at Clarko Reserve, Trigg.
Upcoming December Markets : Saturday 5th, 12th & 19th December.

See you soon!

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