Keeping it Local

The beautiful view at the end of our street

When we started to think about tending Spiral Garden, we were excited to share some of the talents of people local to us here in beautiful Tasmania. Among our friends and extended networks there are so many talented people! The local scenery provides endless inspiration and the cold winter provides lots of time to hone one's craft ;) We've gradually been putting the feelers out for things that might suit...

Mt Arthur Boronia Booties

Heidi from Willywam Whims contacted us one evening with some things she'd been making... Using repurposed woollen jumpers and pure wool felt, motifs showing Tasmanian endemic and endangered species... Is this something we'd be interested in? Umm.... YES!! Oberon's ears pricked up at the endemic threatened species bit... He's an ecologist and botanist at heart and knows the local threatened species well. We want to share our love of this beautiful place with you. We want to do it in a way that is as ethical and environmentally sound as possible. So Heidi's products have ticked pretty much all boxes. They're beautiful too, don't you think?

Waratah Elf Hat detail

 The Waratah elf hat was a special request from us and holds a special place in our hearts. Our toddler's middle name is Waratah. We do love it so! And it is amazingly warm and snuggly.

Wedge-tailed Eagle Elf Hat detail

We've also been blessed with the beginning of a beautiful range from local textile artist Acorn Girl. We're so excited to provide an outlet for her gorgeous little gnomes and other needle felted delights. I'm excited to see what she comes up with next!

Acorn Girl's gnomes

Next month, among other things, we're looking forward to sharing more of our own handmade goodies with you. It's been a little while since we've made things under the owlet label... About as long as we've had our littlest... But we're looking forward to spending some time in the evenings crafting and getting them ready over the coming weeks. We really can't get much more local than our own lounge room! We generally try to shop for local products, especially if they've been locally made or grown. But for the things we can't buy direct from the maker, we're really happy to know that it's been made with as much care for the planet as possible. And if possible, as close to home as we can find.

If you're local to Hobart, make sure to write "Local" for the discount coupon code and shipping will be deducted when you buy from us. You're welcome to drop by and collect your lovely things straight from the garden, or we can arrange for you to collect them in town most days. If you'd like to keep up to date with what's going on at Spiral Garden, make sure to sign up for the newsletter using the form over on the right. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest! All the links are in the right hand column there... Do say hello and let us know if there's anything you'd like to see in the garden. We'd love to have a chat and a cuppa with you. xx

Faraway Felt

One of the best things about owning Spiral Garden is knowing the talented artists who create our stock.

Abby and Michelle from Faraway Felt both live on a strata-title community in northern NSW. They live on solar power, tank water and have vegie gardens, orchards, chooks and other animals (ponies, cows, ducks).

Abby has 2 children (7 and 4) and Michelle has 3 (11, 9 and 3). Their kids go to the local Steiner school (Rainbow Ridge) which Abby is heavily involved in. Michelle is studying a Primary Teaching degree.

Faraway Felt use 100% Australian fine merino wool, mulberry silks, ribbons and recycled fabrics to create their range. Garden Flags are the first product from them we have on offer.

These are lovingly created hand-made felt flags. Merino wool is wet-felted into unique pieces of art to decorate your bedrooms, classroom, living area, the entrance to your home or seasonal table. In each set of flags, there are seven flags sewn onto dark green ribbon. The garden flags depict a pale blue sky with the fluffiest of gentle white clouds, rich green grass and plants with beautiful flowers. They are a high-quality heirloom item, these durable flags will last.

We have some garden flags hanging above the seasonal table in the entrance area of our home, and they have received many delighted comments.

Hand-crafted Felt Delights

We were delighted to receive some superbly hand-crafted items from Agnes in Sydney, Australia recently. Check out the New Products at Spiral Garden to see her standing dolls, owls, sheep, mice and gnomes!

Animals Sale extended!

Our entire range of Anamalz are overstocked, including the Aussie Anamalz Pouch (below)... With every three individual Anamalz purchased, you receive a free Animalz printed calico drawstring carry bag.

We also have felt elephants in three sizes, felt ponies and horses, Baby Basics dogs and lambs, and Itsy Bitsy cats and dogs in the Animals category of the Spiral Garden store.

And the best news is that the entire range is being offered at 10% off - offer ends 7 February 2010! Yes, every animal is marked down by 10% - starting at only $3.15!

This sale has been extended by a further week, it was to end 31 January and only included certain animals. Now the whole category is marked down, including the new felt horses and ponies.

Featured Stockist - Rainbow Stitches

Karen Yates of Rainbow Stitches creates by hand these adorable and colourful felt food items from Italian wool felt, filled with wool fleece from "Wool on Piper". All stitching is done by hand with pure cotton thread. Each set comes packed in a in sweet pink or blue gingham checked cardboard gift box with matching gift card.


Karen works at home, alongside her young family. Each stitch is made with love and care. Spiral Garden currently stocks three Rainbow Stitches products, starting at only $27.00.

Related Products:
All Purpose Full Apron
Enamel Cup and Saucer
Wooden Spoon
Playcloths