Bowerbird Mother’s Day Gift Guide

Looking for a last-minute gift for Mum? Head to Bowerbird for inspo this weekend (May 5–7).

For the Mums who like trinkets

If Mum needs a new vase for the bunch of flowers you’ve bought, South Australian artist Alicia Butt has you covered. Specialising in ceramics, Alicia’s small business Ali Potter Ceramics is a one-woman operation where she handcrafts ceramics to create stunning creations, everything from beakers and mugs to vases and trinket dishes.

Ali Potter Ceramics
@alipotter_ceramics

For the Mums who like handmade jewellery

Creator of mitchell.maker, Carolyn Mitchell, describes her handmade, recycled sterling silver jewellery as ‘simple, strong and timeless’ – just like Mum. Carolyn uses the ancient lost wax method of casting metal to create her tactile pieces. Browse Carolyn’s Bowerbird stall for a pair of silver earrings, pendants or rings.

mitchell.maker
mitchell-maker.myshopify.com
@mitchell.maker

For the Mums whose homes smell delicious

It wouldn’t be Mother’s Day without a new candle for Mum’s collection. Find one or a sweet-scented diffuser at the Mojo Candle Co. stall. The vessels are hand-cut from reclaimed wine and beer bottles, filled with natural soy wax infused with modern, sophisticated fragrances and topped with sustainable cork stoppers.

Mojo Candle Co.
mojocandleco.com.au
@mojocandleco

For the stylish Mums

It’s officially winter! Keep Mum cosy and stylish with a scarf or shrug designed and knitted by boutique knitwear label sheep-ish. Using 100 per cent Australian merino wool, the sheep-ish range includes merino shrugs, ponchos, scarves, wrist warmers, headbands, baby blankets and cushions.

sheep-ish
sheep-ish.com.au

For the Mums who love nature

Inspired by our diverse and colourful birdlife, Songbird is an art and stationery label that showcases iconic birds, all while raising awareness of some of the most vulnerable and critically endangered varieties. In 2011, Songbird founder, Alexandra Sommer, travelled to a small village in Thailand and was overwhelmed by the immense talent of local women. Today, Songbird provides employment to their team of artisans in Thailand who help create pieces that’ll make Mum’s heart sing this Mother’s Day.

Songbird
songbirdcollection.com
@songbirdcollection

For the Mums who love a cuppa

Sit down with Mum to enjoy a cup of tea brewed by The Dandy Tea Co., founded by Renmark-born Mandy de Rose. Collaborating with local growers, Mandy creates the freshest, seasonal fruit and herbal blends to hand-blend her extensive range of teas. Yum!

The Dandy Tea Co.
@thedandyteaco

For the artistic Mums

Find Mum a new, pretty print for her lounge room at South Australia’s My Little Print Studio, which uses real flora and fauna to create cyanotypes (also known as a blueprint). This simple photographic printing process creates a bold and beautiful blue and white print that immediately connects its audience to nature. My Little Print Studio’s artworks have also been merged into gift cards, coasters, earrings, heat bags and tea towels, so you’re bound to find something unique for Mum. You can even pick up Mum her very own DYI cyanotype printing kit.

My Little Print Studio
mylittleprintstudio.com.au
@mylittleprintstudio

Bowerbird
May 5–7
Adelaide Showground
bowerbird.net.au

Meet The Makers

BOWERBIRD IS BACK THIS MAY! HERE are JUST A FEW OF THE INCREDIBLE LOCAL AND INTERSTATE ARTISANS POPPING UP AT ADELAIDE’S PREMIER DESIGN MARKET.

1. CHERIE EM

Cherie Em bottle.

South Australian-based Cherie Em boasts a bespoke range inspired by the centuries-old techniques used in French perfumeries. The delicate blends of rose and chamomile, mint and myrtle, and Chantilly are handcrafted from natural materials and essences. Our pick? We love the subtle scents of the Mint & Myrtle Hand & Body Wash and Tangerine Lip Balm.
cherie-em.com
@cherieembotanical

2. CARDIGANG

Two women in colourful, pastel knit jumpers.

Founded by Morgan Collins and Cat Bloxsom, Cardigang is the Victorian-based brand that’s revolutionising how people learn to knit and crochet with their easy-to-follow DIY kits made for beginners, by beginners. Make your own colourful, chunky-knit jumper, crop top or cardigan and flaunt your ‘made by me’ tag with style.
cardigang.com.au
@cardigang_knits

3. BASK AROMATHERAPY

Bottle of body lotion with Bask Aromatherapy branding.

Since 2014, Bask Aromatherapy’s non-toxic, plant-based and locally-made lotions, body washes and hand creams have made people’s skin feel luxurious, soft and repaired. The boutique brand gently blends essential oils with the best botanicals, with products using balancing and relaxing scents like lemon myrtle, geranium and lavender.
baskaromatherapy.com.au
@baskaromatherapy

4. CLAIRE ISHINO

Blue and yellow print with white birds, designed by artist Claire Ishino.

Inspired by the colour, pattern and the beauty of Australia’s native flora and fauna, local artist Claire Ishino crafts colourful prints that brighten any room. The Adelaide-based artisan, whose illustrations are featured on Jurlique, Twenty Third Street Distillery and Jim Barry packaging, is also a fan of collaboration, working with local makers like Kitty Came Home to create small collections of accessories.
claireishino.com
@claireishino

5. CHOMO STUDIO

Colourful designs on paper and plates.

Melbourne-based Chomo Studio ceramics have a distinctive style and story, with the hand-painted whimsical designs, characters and coloured patterns bringing joy to any room. At the May markets, find handmade cremains and original illustration prints at the Chomo Studio stall, alongside sweet clay figurines featuring hand-picked, dried flowers from the designer’s own backyard.
chomostudio.com
@chomo.studio

6. CLAY BY KHOA

Mugs in earthy tones and textures.

Adelaide’s Khoa Edgecombe handcrafts ceramics that celebrate form and function, drawing inspiration from South Australia’s natural landscapes, intertwining her love of the state’s earthy tones and textures into her range. The line of thickly-rimmed dishes, mugs and mini bowls are made from locally-sourced clay.
claybykhoa.com.au
@clay_by_khoa

7. FRANK N AL CHAI

Brown takeaway cup with Frank n Al branding on it.

Frank n Al Chai was born out of a need for a coffee alternative. Founder Kristen Carroll was searching for caffeine substitutes when she discovered the benefits of chai. She’s now developed her own range of certified organic chai that is gluten, dairy and sugar-free, and vegan-friendly. Hand-blended, Frank n Al Chai’s spiced tones give the perfect morning buzz. Even better, the packaging is compostable and includes a meditation guide!
franknal.com.au
@franknal_chai

8. METANOIA

Leather handbag with gold metal bars.

Born from wanting to give vintage leather a new lease of life, Metanoia is the South Australian slow fashion label handcrafting timeless bags from old jackets to minimise textile waste. Each design is one-of-a-kind, with the edgy bags effortlessly elevating any look with a statement style.
metanoialeather.com
@metanoia.leather

9. THURSTON AND LOVEY

Dainty necklace with different coloured stones hanging off it.

Since 2009, Thurston and Lovey have been crafting jewellery pieces perfect for every occasion. The Adelaide-born brand’s sustainable range of sterling silver, pearl-beaded and gold vermeil necklaces, earrings and rings are timeless in design and elegant in appearance, making them the perfect gift for a loved one or yourself!
thurstonandlovey.com.au
@thurston_lovey

10. PALI BASKETS

Purple woven bag.

Handwoven basket brand, Pāli, was born from a desire to economically empower remote communities, ethically working with villagers to find ways to showcase their craft globally while ensuring they’re correctly compensated. Founders Maggie and Cass work closely with artisans in remote areas, designing stand-out bags that are then handcrafted in Myanmar from new and recycled palette strapping.
palibaskets.com
@pali_baskets

11. NUTMEG CREATIVE

Artist painting on a doormat.

Nutmeg Creative is on a mission to make you smile with their quirky range of tote bags, greeting cards, hand-painted doormats and more. From doormats reading ‘I hope you brought wine’ and tote bags with ‘emotional baggage’ on the front, each design is decorated with cheeky slogans. Nutmeg Creative is also committed to sustainable practice, with the Adelaide-made label using clean products, recycling and reusing where possible.
nutmegcreative.com.au
@nutmeg_creative

12. PRYSHAN CLAY STONES

Clay stones stacked on top of each other.

Discover the benefits of naturally exfoliating with Pryshan’s Clay Stones. Using natural French clay, the boutique beauty brand craft the buffing stones across two weeks before placing them in a kiln to ensure the product is future-proof. The stone is a great tool for deep exfoliation, gently removing dead skin cells to leave you looking brighter, smoother and refreshed.
pryshan.com.au
@pryshanbeauty

Bowerbird
5–7 May
Adelaide Showground
bowerbird.net.au

Makers and Creators

There’s something special about finding a unique, handcrafted luxury item. Bowerbird, Adelaide’s leading design event, is shining a light on the artistic talent and products made by Australian artisans this November at the Adelaide Showgrounds.

KENNEDY SMITH CANDLES

Kennedy Smith Candles was born out of co-owners Adrian and Stephen’s extensive search to find an earthy-toned fragrance for their home. When the duo couldn’t find the perfect scent, they decided to launch their own curated range of vegan-friendly, soy-wax candles.

The collection of candles, like Paris (a take on high-end French perfume), Australia (the familiar scent of eucalyptus, lemon myrtle and golden wattle) and Melbourne (think notes of bergamot and precious woods) are inspired by the pair’s memories with friends and travelling.

Each luxury fragrance is designed to last, the simple scents making the perfect addition to any living space.

Jaska

Stand out from the crowd with Jaska, the unique accessories brand helping to add a pop of colour to your wardrobe. Each piece uses original artwork painted by founder Jenni Armstrong, who describes her one-of-a-kind designs as “functional art pieces”.

Jaska started out as a children’s clothing company, modelled by Jenni’s two daughters, before evolving into a distinctive accessories brand. The saturated clutches, coin purses, shoes, keyrings and jewellery are handcrafted in-studio and are designed with the environment in mind, consciously created to produce limited textile waste and made with solvent-free fabric ink. At the November Bowerbird event, expect to see some new products in Jaska’s signature bold colours and funky prints.

OR Design

Find artisan jewellery crafted from handblown Italian glass and sterling silver at the November Bowerbird event, expertly made by designer Olivia Raymond. With more than a decade of experience in glassblowing, the Sydney-based designer says her jewellery range is inspired by the world around her.

The collections feature vibrant hues of coloured glass that mirror precious stones (think onyx, jade and ruby) in a range of rings, earrings and pendant necklaces. The natural variations of colour add a unique level of luxe to the jewellery range, and the timeless designs subtly elevate any outfit or occasion.

Olivia says her simple collections strive to highlight an individual’s natural beauty and enhance every skin tone.

DANA KINTER

Dana Kinter nods to South Australia’s diverse landscape and native flora and fauna in her original artwork, prints and ceramic work. The artist, living and working on Kaurna land, draws inspiration from the environment surrounding her home studio near the Aldinga Scrub Conservation Park and overlooking the rolling Fleurieu coastline. Using acrylic pencil on timber and a subdued colour palette, Dana’s artwork captures the natural characteristics of her raw materials and the movement of the landscape and creatures she features.

The Fleurieu Peninsula artist is a regular stall-holder at Bowerbird and will debut new art and a product range featuring Christmas cards, journals and scarves at the November event.

Find these four designers and more at Bowerbird, taking over the Adelaide Showgrounds’ Wayville Pavilion this November 25–27.
bowerbird.net.au
@bowerbird.au