Archive for the ‘Tasmanian Markets and Shopping’ Category

Under The Oak

by Michelle Kneipp Pegler

Under The Oak is located in Reibey Street Ulverstone.  They opened their doors in December 2011 and sell an extensive array of beautiful, 100% Tasmanian handmade products.  There are over 45 designers in store with products ranging from jewellery, art, handbags, home-wares, clothing, children’s items and much more.

Under the Oak features work by Tasmanian designers in their Ulverstone gallery ~ gift shop

Owner Prue Dent is always on the lookout for variety and new designers.  Her mission is to support developed and emerging Tasmanian designers in their craft.  Under The Oak don’t take any commission from sales, giving 100% of income back to the relevant designers each month.

A Full-Time Market Place in Ulverstone

Under The Oak provides another opportunity (other than markets) for designers to retail and display their work.  When you buy something from Under The Oak you know you have a quality handmade article and you are also supporting local designers and artists.

Under The Oak offers designers the chance to display and retail their work in a well-located shop five days a week.  Designers hire a space in the shop rather than pay a commission on sales.  Since opening last year, the store has been very popular with locals and tourists alike.  Prue is also considering an online store.

Designer jewellery and stationery supplies stocked by Prue Dent in Ulverstone

Designers: Contact Prue Dent

If you’re an artist or hand-crafter, living in Tasmania and you’re looking to retail your wares, you may like to get in touch with Prue Dent.  She supports anyone from hobbyists to full-time designers.  Prior to launching Under the Oak, Prue shopped at many local markets.  She admired the quality of the work and could appreciate the time that went into making each piece.  She thought it would be great if there was somewhere people could go to purchase the items on a regular basis instead of waiting for market days.  And so Under The Oak was born.

Under The Oak is an ideal place to buy a unique Tasmanian handmade item for yourself or someone special.  Next time you’re in Ulverstone take a look at all the talent on display.

Some of the shelves at Under the Oak are stocked with designer children's items

Michelle Kneipp Pegler writes a blog called Leven River Farm
as well as articles like this about the north west coast of Tasmania.
If you’d like Michelle to visit you, please contact Think Tasmania.

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Map: Under the Oak, Ulverstone Tasmania…

A Tiny Bit Marvellous

by Cassandra Wunsch

A Tiny Bit Marvellous is located on the ground floor of 445 Macquarie Street, South Hobart.  It is a sweet little shop which may or may not be the secret home base of the air-born calories that have been so negatively affecting my back-side of late!

Naked Ladies and fondant flowers at the opening of A Tiny Bit Marvellous!

A Tiny Bit Marvellous, a new cake-making-supplies business in South Hobart

Run by the delightful Sarah, who greeted me and my husband with an impressive spread of champagne, sushi and soft drinks, the store seems to be the ultimate expression of her own culinary flair.  She cheekily confessed she almost had to start the shop; she was already buying all the stock anyway!  As someone with their own obsessive tendencies (my husband doesn’t let me in the stationary sections of stores anymore… I admit, I have a problem) it all seemed perfectly logical to me.

Guests at the launch of A Tiny Bit Marvellous in South Hobart are greeted by Sarah

I was told that the building itself used to be a somewhat oppressive, deep purple inside, and that all the painting and re-carpeting had to be done by Sarah and her family.  The results were well worth the effort!  The interior is pristine white, and like a good kitchen, gives the comforting impression of being scrupulously clean and tidy.

Cake decorating supplies stock the refurbished shelves in the South Hobart shop

Everything you need for cake making, decorating and party supplies in South Hobart

A Tiny Bit Marvellous will have a website up and running soon, to outline all the wonderful things in stock.  In the meantime, customers can have a look at A Tiny Bit Marvellous on Facebook (which will have its own shopping cart shortly as well).  Or, of course, they are more than welcome to pop down to the shop and have a browse!

Hire cake tins from A Tiny Bit Marvellous in South Hobart

The ultimate in cake decorating supplies, in a sweet little shop in South Hobart

Cassandra Wunsch is a third-year journalism student at Open Universities
Australia.  She lives in Hobart with her husband Florian and daughter Taliesin,
and would like to continue to write full-time when she graduates.
Her personal blog is www.10percentinspired.com

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Map: A Tiny Bit Marvellous, South Hobart…

Tasmanian Gourmet Gifts

Tasmanian Gourmet Gifts is a Tasmanian owned and operated business.  We are based in Hobart and provide our quality gift hampers for purchase and delivery Australia wide.  We pride ourselves on sourcing quality Tasmanian produce, and presenting hampers to impress.  Our selection of gourmet food, wines and boutique beers are all produced by like minded local businesses and showcase Tasmania’s very best.

Tasmanian Gourmet Gifts: a hamper filled with local Tassie produce

We offer a range of “ready made” hampers, designed to suit all tastes and budgets.  Hampers range from $40 all the way to $190.  Each hamper is hand-made at the time of order, and can be customised to include additional items and wrapped with specific coloured ribbon to add your own personal touch to a gift.

Our hamper arrived with a gorgeous green ribbon, but you can choose any colour

One of the unique features of Tasmanian Gourmet Gifts is our “create your own” hamper.  You choose the products you love, and we make the hamper exactly how you want it!  Your product choice, your ribbon colour, and of course, your personal gift card message.

Tassie Tiger biscuits from the Tasmanian Gourmet Gifts hamper... Yum!

A Gift Hamper for Every Occasion…

Our hampers make an ideal gift for all of those special occasions:  birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, Mother’s and Father’s Day, Easter, Christmas, retirement, a thank-you or just to say I love you.  We deliver Australia-wide using an express service courier, so in most cases your hamper will arrive the very next day!

Macadamia nuts and a Mexican mix... something to suit all tastes in the hamper

Tasmanian Gourmet Gifts has been in operation for over eight years.  We’ve been running the business now for just over two years.  In that time we have introduced a range of exciting new Tasmanian products, new hamper options and there is more to come!  There will also be an exciting partner site launching later this year… what could it be?

Think Tasmania: Sharing their Tasmanian Gourmet Gifts!

If you follow Think Tasmania on Facebook, you would know we sent a sample gift hamper to Tania, and she’s been teasing everyone with photos of the yummy contents.  The hamper contains (as you may know!)…

• Anvers Praline Selection
• Bear Made Cookies
• Cripps Premium Shortbread
• Fudge A’Fare Taster Fudge
• Gourlays Chocolate Coated Almonds
• Gourlays English Toffee
• Island Olive Grove Marinated Olives
• Island Produce Fudge
• Lean to Kitchen Chilli Mustard Taster
• Lean to Kitchen Mediterranean Mustard Taster
• Lesley Blacks Relish Taster
• Lesley Blacks Mustard Taster
• Nuts N More Cinnamon Macadamias
• Nuts N More Mexican Mix
• Tasmanian Gingerbread Choc Dipped Nibble Bag
• Giant Freckle
• $15 Gift Voucher to spend with Tasmanian Gourmet Gifts

The value of the hamper is over $120. We would love to do a super deal on
this for Think Tasmania readers and offer the sale for $70!! What a bargain!!
We have set up a special Think Tasmania offer ~ Tasmanian Gourmet Gifts.

Praline chocolates from the House of Anvers, a Tasmanian gourmet icon

Orders need to be placed by 4pm Friday, 30 March 2012. This is a very limited offer:  the first 30 customers can arrange delivery anytime between now and Thursday 5 April.  Just in time for Easter!  Delivery is overnight to most areas Australia-wide, and we allow 2-3 days for some regional areas.  Deliveries are made by courier, and can be delivered to home or business.  We can even deliver to PO Boxes!

A big freckle chocolate in the shape of Tasmania. Now that is cute! (And delicious!)

Tasmanian Gourmet Gifts: Giving with Love

We basically love Tasmania, and we love what we do… and our gifts reflect that!  Each gift is made with our passion and enthusiasm for Tassie, and of course, making someone’s day!

Thanks to Carissa and the team at Tasmanian Gourmet Gifts. We really
did appreciate the hamper they sent to us, and we had lots of fun adding
the photos to our Facebook page.  And we should also add… when we
put the squeeze on for a special deal for our readers, we never imagined
she would be quite this generous.  She clearly does love her work. ~ Tania

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Coastal Town of Penguin

by Michelle Kneipp Pegler

The pretty coastal town of Penguin on Tasmania’s north west coast is located 137kms from Launceston; 17kms east of Burnie and 31kms west of Devonport.  It has a population of around 5,500 and it acquired the name from the fairy penguins, which live around its coastline.  Penguin is nestled in a very scenic spot right beside the beautiful waters of Bass Strait with the impressive Dial Range sitting behind the town towards the south.

The foreshore of the coastal town of Penguin, including the Big One!

Eating and Staying in Penguin

Penguin is a popular tourist destination with a number of excellent cafes and restaurants.  It’s well known by surrounding locals as the place to eat out on a weekend.  There are great places to have a meal like Wild Café Restaurant, Renaessance, The Groovy Penguin, Shady Grove Cafe and Casablanca at the Surf Lifesaving Club.  There’s also a really nice bakery right near the beach.

The range of accommodation options for such a small town is surprising, with two hotels, a caravan park, B&B’s and holiday apartments.  The coastal town of Penguin still retains that laid back, small town feel… wonderful when you’re looking for a relaxing holiday or visiting for the day.  While wandering around the shops of Penguin if you need a perfect gift or something special for yourself, call into Nest in Main Street.  This is a splendid shop that stocks a very nice range of local artisan merchandise.

Things to Do in Penguin

There are lots of things to do in Penguin.  Why not check out the penguins that visit each evening between November and March.  Have your photo taken with the 3.15 metre Big Penguin in the beachfront park.  It’s apparently the largest Penguin in the world.  And while you’re walking down Main Street have a look at the penguin garbage bins along the way.  A much nicer alternative to regular ones!

The Uniting Church, the Bakery bin and the Big Penguin

Admire Penguin Uniting Church and St. Stephens Anglican Church, both old churches in Main Street.  There’s the replica Dutch windmill in Hiscutt Park, which was presented to the people of Penguin to commemorate the Dutch settlers of the area and the Dutch explorers who were the first Europeans to discover Tasmania.

Just west of the Uniting Church is Johnsons Beach Reef.  It’s a popular place at low tide for exploring when the reef is exposed.

Shopping at the Penguin Sunday Markets

The Penguin Sunday Markets are very popular, with more than 200 stalls.  They are Tasmania’s largest undercover markets.  There’s a lot to see at the markets with stalls ranging from food, antiques and collectables, books, art and craft.

Shopping for antiques and collectables in the coastal town of Penguin, Tasmania

Penguin Sunday Markets, on the north west coast of Tasmania, one of the state's best markets

There’s a great lolly shop, with a large assortment of all types of lollies.  And we can’t forget the Tasmanian woodwork, jewellery, gift-ware, fruit and veggies, clothing and live music.  There’s always so much to see at the Penguin Sunday Markets.

The lolly shop! A highlight of every coastal town, Penguin included

Bush-Walking in Penguin

If you’re the energetic sort there are some great reserve walks just behind Penguin in the Dial Range.  Walks range from 30 mins to 2 hours that cater to all fitness levels, with wonderful scenery along the way.  Call into the Penguin Tourist Information Centre in Main Street while you’re in town to get all the info on Penguin and surrounds, or phone them on (03) 64371421.

The deep blue seas of Bass Strait make the drive to Penguin a memorable one

A great way to get to the coastal town of Penguin with terrific views across Bass Strait, is to take the coast road from Ulverstone or via Sulphur Creek from Burnie.  This is such a pretty drive and well worth the diversion from the Bass Highway.

Michelle Kneipp Pegler writes a blog called Leven River Farm
about the ups and downs of her Good Life
and occasional forays delving into the lessons of the past.

If you like this article about Tasmania, and you’d like to read more, just subscribe to our newsletter or join us on Facebook.  If you really like this article, and you want others to see it, you can choose one of the “share” options below.  We’d love that!

Comments relevant to this article are also very welcome, just leave a reply below.

Map: Coastal Town of Penguin, Tasmania…

D’Entrecasteaux Soaps & Hospital Healing Hampers

Carol Whitmore and Jen Holdsworth

nature in all her vigor, and yet in a state of decay, seems to offer to the
imagination something more picturesque and more imposing than
the sight of this same nature bedecked by the hand of civilized man.

 ~ Antoine Raymond Joseph de Bruni d’Entrecasteaux

D’Entrecasteaux was a French navigator who explored the coast of Australia in 1792.  On the 20th April 1792, he anchored his boat in what is now Recherche Bay and then spent five weeks exploring what is now the D’Entrescateaux Channel describing and detailing all of its beauty,  including Bruny Island which was also a part of his name.

Colours from The Channel inspiring D’Entrecasteaux Soaps

D’Entrecasteaux Soaps: Carol Whitmore

This is the same feeling that overcame Carol when visiting this exquisite part of Tasmania, so beautiful, so fresh, and yet so wild and relatively untouched by man.  It is here in Charlotte Cove a majestic little community tucked into the bush land right on the water front of the D’Entrecasteaux Channel, that Carol and her partner Geoff decided to settle into and create.  Create Carol has done, being passionate about the environment and motivated by Tasmania’s beauty, Carol started to experiment with soap and study the possibility of making some soaps that represented Tasmania.

D’Entrecasteaux Soaps incorporate stylish packaging in their design

After many trials, research and establishing a good network of many other motivated Tasmanians, Carol has managed to refine her soap collection and has triumphed with the end result being a rather unique collection of soaps, handmade in Tasmania and using 100% natural ingredients.  You won’t find any synthetic fragrance, phthalates, parabens, sodium laurel sulphates, petrochemicals or artificial colours.  With the use of essential oils to create a lovely scent, clays and botanicals are added to nourish and to provide natural colour.  Also, Carol has lovingly picked seaweed from her patch at Charlotte Cove, dried it and then placed it into one of her soaps; magical soap that has so many trace elements from the Tasmanian seaweed, your skin will thank you for it.  The colours of her soaps are so natural with warm earthy tones that truly represent the many colours of Tasmania’s beautiful bush, sea and sky.

D’Entrecasteaux Soaps are handmade in Tasmania using natural ingredients

D’Entrecasteaux Soaps have been operating from Charlotte Cove for over a year and are just starting to build a reputation for quality soaps, that are hand created and carved with not any two soaps being the same, each having its own character without compromise of quality.  Many shops in the Hobart area are stocking these soaps, as they are across this wonderful state, with many boutique accommodation places recognizing their quality.

D’Entrecasteaux Soaps are designed, made & distributed in Tasmania

Hospital Healing Hampers: Jen Holdsworth

Unfortunately, Carol and Geoff have had to return to NSW to complete another project.  However Carol feels so passionately about Tasmania and D’Entrecasteaux Soaps and the potential for her soaps to be sold across Australia and built into a truly Tasmanian icon, that she has partnered up with Jen Holdsworth from Hospital Healing Hampers, an equally passionate Tasmanian.  Carol and Jen have established a wonderful friendship and working relationship whilst Carol was supplying soaps to Hospital Healing Hampers, and from there both Jen and Carol have discussed how wonderful it is to be working in Tasmania and representing Tasmania by creating truly unique ideas and products. D’entrecasteaux Soaps will remain Tasmanian made and still be created with such passion and pride, whilst Carol will continue to operate the business and make regular visits to Tasmania to work with Jen to create more soap, more ideas, and to actively spread the message of quality natural soaps.

Jen with her Hospital Healing Hampers business has a huge desire to promote Tasmanian products in her hampers which are beautifully presented, and that are not only packed with goodies but also the emotions of empathy, respect, love and pride.

Tasmanian: Hospital Healing Hampers by Jen Holdsworth

She is a mother of four children – the fourth child with a rare genetic disorder called Kabuki Syndrome.  As a result of the issues associated with the syndrome, there have been many hospital visits both here and in Victoria.  This has given Jen a true understanding of the emotions of a hospital stay, not only for the patient but for all family members.  The family would have found it easier to move to Victoria for their daughter’s treatment; however it is Tasmania that they call home and Tasmania that they choose to raise their four beautiful children in.  Teaching their children the importance of nature and family values, is something that they are able to do here whilst working from home.

Send you're loved one a Tasmanian hamper as they're healing in hospital

Thanks to many supportive people, Jen has been able to establish her dream of helping others whilst creating beautiful products. “It’s so important for families to feel supported during their time of crisis and this is how we are able to help” says Jen.  The hampers provide a lovely treat, and are designed to help promote emotional and physical healing.  They also make wonderful gifts for any occasion and are such a lovely way to promote how healing Tasmanian products can be.

Tasmanian Soaps & Hampers: A Partnership Made in Heaven

Both Carol and Jen have a wonderful relationship that flows into both their businesses, the warmth shines through in the soaps and the hampers, and the passion and pride they have for Tasmania is evident as they speak highly of what this state has to offer in the way of support, produce, people, natural beauty, and passion.

Carol and Jen are inspired by the colours of nature in Tasmania

This year they both plan to work hard to establish wonderful partnerships with both suppliers and customers to provide wonderful personalized service and create even more stunning soaps and hampers.  “I think people are still looking for service provided with a smile and pride, and a good quality honest product” says Jen, “and both Carol and I believe that this is what makes a wonderful shopping experience, resulting in many happy smiles”.  “Tasmania is a state in which we are both very proud of and its constant changing environments is what inspires our soap” says Carol, who gleams with pride!

Both Hospital Healing Hampers and D’Entecastreaux Soaps have Facebook pages, with Hospital Healing Hampers also in the Tasmanian phone book for their mobile service.  Both soaps and hampers can be delivered anywhere across Australia with overnight delivery, and the presentation of both soaps and hampers are simply stunning.  Your skin will thank you for the soaps and your soul will thank you for the hampers.

A selection of Hospital Healing Hampers, a company based in Tasmania

Both Carol and Jen would like to thank many Tasmanians who have supported them and look forward to this year with so many exciting things to come.

For more information, check the websites for…
D’Entrecasteaux Soaps
Hospital Healing Hampers

If you like this article about Tasmania, and you’d like to read more, just subscribe to our newsletter or join us on Facebook.  If you really like this article, and you want others to see it, you can choose one of the “share” options below.  We’d love that!

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Map: D’Entrecasteaux Channel, Tasmania…

Hi Tania!  Silk is a new tourist attraction in Chudleigh near Mole Creek.
Silk is a fudge/handcrafts and gift shop opened just eight days ago.
I plan to go back there and get some shots for you.  It looked just wonderful
and some lovely local ladies are running it.  Nice free fudge tastings too!
They are just up the road from the honey store.  Cheers, Dan Fellow

Silk is a new visitor attraction in Chudleigh near Mole Creek, Tasmania

Silk: Photos By Dan Fellow, As Promised…

True to his word, Dan has delivered more of his spectacular photos for us to share with you.  And the Silk theme makes lovely viewing.  Enjoy!

Silk is a new visitor attraction in Chudleigh near Mole Creek, Tasmania: Dan Fellow

Sample some of the silky, smooth fudge from the ladies at Chudleigh (near Mole Creek)

Silk garments and handcrafts from the new gift shop in Chudleigh Tasmania

Silk Tasmania: Chudleigh near Mole Creek

According to the Silk website, this is what you can expect from this new attraction…

• Experience the luxurious, luscious and lovely world of silk.
• See the complete life cycle of the amazing Silkworm, egg through to moth.
• Handle cocoons and raw silk.
• See & feel the range of silk fabric: sheer chiffon to gold-threaded damask.
• Learn about the history of silk production & manufacture through the ages.
• Wander, amazed, through the myriad, kaleidoscopic wonderland of
  garments, gifts and goodies.
• Sample delicious home-made silky smooth fudge.
• Immerse yourself in the wonderful world of silk.
• Open 7 days:  9 am to 5 pm in the north west region of Tasmania
• 59 Sorell Street, Chudleigh Tasmania 7304

Thanks again to Dan for providing these delicious images from Silk in Chudleigh near Mole Creek.  Contact Jane and Don Lamont at Silk (0429 976 785).

Sample delicious, home-made, silky smooth fudge at Silk Tasmania

Next up from Dan: images of 41 Degrees South Salmon Farm.  Can’t wait for that!

To see more work by Dan Fellow follow Tasmania Photos on Facebook.
You can also purchase Desktop Tasmania, a multimedia CD
with a stunning collection of Tasmanian photos for $19-95.

If you like this article about Tasmania, and you’d like to read more, just subscribe to our newsletter or join us on Facebook.  If you really like this article, and you want others to see it, you can choose one of the “share” options below.  We’d love that!

Comments relevant to this article are also very welcome, just leave a reply below.

Map: Silk, Chudleigh Tasmania…

Nest: A Gift Shop in Penguin

by Michelle Kneipp Pegler

There’s a great little gift shop called Nest in the pretty north-west Tasmanian town of Penguin.  It’s located in one of the quaint old buildings in the main street of Penguin.

The front of gift shop Nest, located in the main street of Penguin, Tasmania

Natalie Simpson Feathers Her Own Nest

Natalie Simpson started Nest two years ago after feeling Penguin needed a gift store that sold unique and mostly hand-made items.  There was nothing like it in the town.  With a picturesque view of Bass Strait through the shop’s front windows, along with the assortment of wonderful objects inside, it’s a pleasure to shop here.

Natalie Simpson at Nest, her gift shop in Penguin, Tasmania

Natalie’s interior design background stands out tremendously in the way everything is lovingly displayed.  There is a collection of fantastic Tasmanian talent on the shelves.  Coming from the north west of Tasmania herself, Natalie is a big supporter of local artists and has filled the shelves with the most delightful items.  Once again, I was blown away by the amount of talented people out there.

Some of the lovely things available at Nest in Penguin Tasmania

Gift Shop Making People Happy in Penguin

Nest is one of those shops that makes you feel happy inside!  As you pick up each exclusive, well-made piece you are attracted to its beauty.  Natalie says she likes the idea that her customers can pick up and feel the items for sale, as she didn’t want Nest to deny people the chance to touch and feel the merchandise.

There are so many excellent things here…

• a great range of jewellery
• handbags
• cards and stationery items
• art for your walls
• toys
• nick knacks
• many other brilliant bits and pieces

You should see it for yourself.  You really must visit Nest next time you’re in Penguin.

Feather your own nest with some of the items sold by Natalie Simpson

Nest Penguin: the Finer Details

Nest is open Tuesdays to Fridays 10.00am to 5.30pm and Saturdays and Sundays 10.00am to 4.00pm.  To keep up with what’s in store visit the Nest blog or Nest – Penguin Facebook page.

Some of the beautiful, mostly hand-made items sold at Nest in Penguin

Michelle Kneipp Pegler writes a blog called Leven River Farm
about the ups and downs of her Good Life
and occasional forays delving into the lessons of the past.

If you like this article about Tasmania, and you’d like to read more, just subscribe to our newsletter or join us on Facebook.  If you really like this article, and you want others to see it, you can choose one of the “share” options below.  We’d love that!

Comments relevant to this article are also very welcome, just leave a reply below.

Map: Nest, Penguin Tasmania…