The Illawarra is a one-stop-shop for gifts for every type of person. Photo: Various.
Small businesses, entrepreneurs and everyday folk from the Illawarra have shared their stories with us about the incredible products and experiences set to bring joy, convenience or even a lesson to people across the region.
As you shop for gifts for loved ones this season, here’s some things you can get to support local producers (and maybe learn something about them along the way.)
Invented in Mangerton out of necessity, the Rugii could be this summer’s must-have beach item. Photo: Sol Flare Photography.
The Rugii is a wearable towel set designed to allow children to play at the beach without the restriction of a traditional hooded towel.
The product was created by Mangerton mum Natalie Zukowski and allows kids to easily transition from the water to the playground and even ride their bikes.
The Rugii comes in two materials and a range of colours and is priced between $40 and $80 a set. They can be purchased from the Rugup Beach Co website.
Little French Heart stocks handpicked artisan toys and gifts. Photo: L’Oiseau Bateau – Artisans of Childhood.
Toys, fashion and gifts from Little French Heart
Artisanal toys imported from France, each with their own story, have been selected by Kim Cotton to sell in her Bundeena shop Little French Heart.
Kim said they tried to promote a sense of wonder, joy and connection with family, with the toys allowing people to interact with their children and create moments of quality time together.
Toys range from $10 to $600 and can be purchased from the Little French Heart website.
Illawarra’s Crinis sisters wanted to find styles that reflected their love for silver and gold glam. Photo: In Like Finn.
Glam jewellery from In Like Finn
These sterling silver and 18K gold-plated pieces are punctuated with freshwater pearly or zircon stones and aim to embody the essence of 80s and 90s fashion icons.
The brand, which is the second jewellery venture by Illawarra-born and bred sisters Sian and Tahlia Crinis, sprang from the pair wanting particular styles they could never find and reflects their love for silver and gold glam.
Pieces range from $50 to $120 and are available through the In Like Finn website.
Greenacres IMAGINE line at Freedom Furniture. Photo: Greenacres.
IMAGINE Homewares and Hampers by Greenacres employees
After starting two years ago with scented candles, IMAGINE has branched out to include soy candle melts, room sprays, reed diffusers, gift sets, botanical bath salts, heat packs, eye pillows, eye masks and accessories.
The quality products are created by people with disabilities from across the Illawarra through Greenacres Disability Services and continue to grow in popularity – now being featured at Freedom Furniture in Warrawong.
Candles come in fruity, floral and fresh fragrances with a Christmas range also available.
Prices range from $25 to $150 and can be purchased through the IMAGINE website.
Chocolatier Michelle Armstrong and some of her bonbons. Photos: Supplied.
Premium handcrafted chocolates from MA Chocolatier
Kiama chocolatier Michelle Armstrong is an expert in sweet treats, making everything from Italian candied orange strips coated in single origin Vietnam dark chocolate to salted caramel filled milk chocolate bars and her extremely popular handcrafted bonbons.
She puts so much care into the perfectly packaged artisan chocolates, treating them as if they’re “being served on a silver platter to the Queen of England”.
Michelle’s Christmas range is on sale, which includes the Christmas bonbon collection, gingerbread cookies and cream white chocolate blocks, passionfruit truffles and chocolate baubles, santas and reindeer.
Chocolates range from $6.50 to $55 and can be purchased through the MA Chocolatier website.
Participants working with clay at one of Jo Robertson’s Luxury Clay Experiences workshops. Photo: Supplied.
Clay workshop or clay kit from Luxury Clay Experiences
Whether it’s something different for an event, a nice day out or just something to do at home, Luxury Clay Experiences boasts unique and mindful moulding experiences.
Gerringong’s Jo Robertson turned her hobby working with clay into a national business, boasting both private and public events which are in high demand, with her idea of a simple mobile studio transforming into partnerships with some of the region’s best-known venues.
There is a tailored clay experience for every taste, with programs paired with cocktails, wineries, picnics, grazing, florists and distilleries and the carefully curated Creative Wellness Clay Kit allows you a unique chance to slow down and embody mindfulness with clay through all the tools provided for you at home.
Experiences range from $110 to $190 and clay kits start at $90.
Premade ceramic gifts are also available from $60; all gifts can be purchased through the Luxury Clay Experiences website.
The Illawarra Plum Cask Whisky is unique. Photo: Headlands Distilling Co.
Illawarra Plum Whisky from Headlands Distilling Co.
With only 399 bottles made, the Illawarra Plum Cask Whisky is a world first creation by Headlands Distilling Co.
The unique creation is the result of a four-year-old ex-bourbon cask whisky being put in an Illawarra plum spirit barrel and left for another three years.
It marks one of many firsts for the business, which in its almost 10 years of operation has ticked off being Wollongong’s first craft distillery, having the first gin made from entirely native botanicals, the first Illawarra Plum liqueur and now the first Illawarra Plum Whisky.
The distillery, which was founded by four University of Wollongong graduates, also makes a wide variety of gins, vodkas and liqueurs.
The limited release Illawarra Plum Cask Whisky is $250, with other products ranging from $40 to $140 available through the Headlands website.
Brodie Whalan with one of his photographs displayed on an outdoor bin shelter in Kiama. Photos: Supplied.
An oceanic photo print by Brodie Whalan
Thirroul photographer Brodie Whalan specialises in underwater images captured in the waters around the Illawarra and South Coast.
The 21-year-old, originally from Ulladulla, has spent most of his life in and around the water and as he got older he decided to start taking pictures to show people everything that could be discovered below the surface.
His art has now taken him on expeditions around the country and the world and was recently showcased in public spaces throughout Kiama as part of the council’s Art in Unseen Spaces initiative.
Brodie’s work allows the community to get up close to marine life, including tiger sharks, leopard sharks, grey nurse sharks, mantarays, turtles and many more, with phone cases and framed prints available for purchase from $30 to $300 through his website.
Jayda Barnes has started her own business selling fishing shirts and trucker caps. Photos: Supplied.
A Western-inspired accessory from Dixie Creek Western
From cowhide earrings and copper rings to trucker hats and fishing shirts, Dixie Creek Western is the perfect stop for country lovers looking for a unique gift.
The business was launched by 15-year-old Dapto student Jayda Barnes, with the online store originating for her love for all things country and western, particularly her horse Dixie which inspired the project.
Jayda’s products lean away from stereotypical pink western items for girls, with the neutral-coloured unisex designs suitable for anyone.
Dixie Creek Western earrings and claw clips start from $10, with trucker hats $40 and fishing shirts $60, available through the website.
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