Lend your support to small businesses this season (read: always).
The challenges of the past two years have hit small, creative businesses the hardest. It’s always in our collective power to purchase with a purpose and support local businesses as much as possible.
Whether it’s a present for you or someone you love, choose something that has been made or can be experienced locally.
More than anything we encourage you to reach out, explore your local area, and go small for gift giving this year. Our guide below!
For the green-thumb:
The Borrowed Nursery
Shop their beautiful range of plants, pots, homewares and accessories across their retail spaces in Mermaid, Gold Coast and Windsor, Brisbane. Their seeded gift cards are a beautiful addition to any gift, and there is a good selection of other bits and pieces, like POSIE candles. If you can’t get in-store to shop, check out their sister brand, The Botanica Box.
Green Folk Botany Shop
If you’re searching for cute and quirky planters, Green Folk is a good bet. Team with one of their unique, rare plants and you’ve got a gift that’s good for the soul and planet. They also stock a range of botanical-inspired cards and other small gifty things.
For the fashionably conscious:
Alfred’s Apartment
Shop online or have a browse while you’re grabbing that Sunday morning burrito. We love the creativity behind their custom ranges, released in small batches regularly. Their pieces are fun, quirky and clever referencing skate, surf and street culture.
ELKE
‘ELKE’, by Elke Gill, is a design house inspiring creative confidence with strong and feminine pieces. Elke’s passion for creating led her to make jewellery for elegant and mystical individuals. Inspired by the natural world and designed in a way that respects it, sustainability and conscious production processes are a priority – care has been taken to ensure that wearers of ELKE can sleep in peace.
All ELKE pieces are laser cut in Murwillumbah, NSW while the final making process happens 20 minutes up the road in the humble seaside town of Kingscliff, in Northern NSW.
ARCAA
Founded in Byron Bay and made for the modern woman, Arcaa is a contemporary lifestyle brand designed to complement the female figure and support conscious living.
Centred on principles of mindful movement and considered fashion, they use luxurious and durable fabrics, natural fibres and sun faded coastal-inspired colour palettes. Big believers in the adage ‘less is more,’ and intentionally create each piece to be multifunctional and seamlessly adapted to all lifestyles.
Nine Lives Bazaar
Shimmy through life in the wonderfully extravagant Nine Lives Bazaar. The lovechild of Rose Madden and Vanessa Cave, work wives by trade and soul sisters by heart, Nine Lives Bazaar is for the lovers of locomotion, life and a whole lot of '70s spunk.
For those who enjoy the finer things:
Cornerstone Stores
A one-stop destination where one can enjoy a casual drink and a spot of retail therapy. Stores range from café, clothing, homewares, beauty, fitness, health and a cellar.
We’re particularly fond of Quince. This delightful fromagerie and cellar offers a unique selection of French, Spanish and Italian wines, cheese, salami and delicious morsels together with unique gift items. Lots of gift-worthy packaging to be found here, for those fellow wine label design purveyors.
Provider Store
Pieces for the home, chosen with the purpose to be both artful and functional. Provider’s aim is to slow down and focus on what’s important, championing sustainably sourced and slow-made products. Whether handmade in their studio or by like-minded creatives, each finely curated piece tells a story inspired by travel, art, and connection.
For those who enjoy an experience:
Stone Studio
A community pottery studio and coffee bar in the Northern Rivers of NSW and now in Miami on the Gold coast, Stone Studios offer ceramic classes, and courses for those of any skill level looking to learn, create and connect. Book a class for someone dear to you, or even better – do it together instead of exchanging gifts.
ERVA
Created out of the need to bring a sense of “self-care” to the manicure and pedicure experience, ERVA, in Burleigh Heads, is a place where you get a high-quality nail service whilst also nurturing your soul. It’s organic, vegan and simply beautiful. Vouchers are available for the woman OR man in your life. Blokes, we’re all for you getting pedicures, too.
Morena Espresso
Our favourite local place for coffee and conversation.
Morena Espresso is a Latin-Kiwi-inspired coffee hub based in Mermaid Beach. Morena stocks handmade objects, coffee supplies and apparel from local and international makers. They recently launched an incredible community events program too – perfect for those who like to do experience new things!
For the art lovers:
19 Karen
A contemporary gallery located in Mermaid Beach, Gold Coast. Established by Terri Lew in 2008 with the express purpose of promoting and nurturing talented emerging artists that were not being represented by mainstream commercial galleries.
Their mission: “Choose art you love. Buy it. Show it. Share it”.
If you’re looking for something extra special, that is a gift and an investment, look here.
Damn Good Store
The Damn Good Store is a Burleigh-based store on a mission to change gift shopping for the better. Featuring local artists, makers and businesses with a difference, Damn Good Store is encouraging communities to keep their hard-earned dollars in the local economy and support other locals.
Beyond a range of incredible products, from condiments and homewares to jewellery and artworks, they want to educate consumers to be more conscious of how they shop.
Image: Inside Gold Coast
Left Bank Art Group
Limited and open edition prints from a wide range of artists and styles. We’ve got a few pieces available here – check out Wildflowers and Palm Springs. Amazing quality prints, and they can also organise framing and delivery for you.
Mint Art House
Mint Art House is the Gold Coast’s freshest Artist-run studio and gallery space. Home to 16 artists, ranging from ceramicists to painters, to sculptors, Mint is a collaborative studio that hosts artist-run workshops and exhibitions to the public. Connect with Mint to acquire an original artwork or to gift (or participate in) a workshop.
Forge Forward
FORGE FORWARD is a contemporary design space operating in Brisbane. They host international, national and local creatives with a graphic design focus. Think jewellery, stationary, apparel, accessories and homewares that will change lives with their vibrancy, quirkiness, and story.
Fun things, good times and laughs for all.
