For several months now, the devastating effects of the drought have continued to dominate newspaper headlines.
It’s a crisis that’s currently affecting 97 per cent of NSW as well as large pockets of Queensland, Victoria and South Australia.
Not only does drought ravage the land, but it also impacts rural communities and businesses, who are left to bear the financial burden that comes with a lack of tourists and a strain on resources.
But thanks to social media, we have the opportunity to directly support rural businesses who are doing it tough.
In October, an Instagram movement was started by @buyfromthebush encouraging all Australians to buy products in-store or online to help struggling rural businesses make a living.
For these rural businesses, a single dollar really does go a long way, especially during this long, devastating drought.
If you’ve still got some Christmas shopping to get done, there’s no better time to buy from the bush.
Sydneysiders can also take advantage of the #buyfromthebush pop-up Christmas market on Thursday, December 12. Twenty rural businesses will be setting up shop in Martin Place from 8am to 8pm, giving customers the chance to peruse a range of goods from fashion and accessories, art, children’s clothing, and artisanal goods.
For everyone else, we’ve got an online gift guide with a bunch of easy (but unique) gift ideas you can buy to help local businesses battling the drought.
Fashion
Pink Velvet Boutique (@pinkvelvet.boutique)
Location: West Wyalong, NSW
Pink Velvet is run by friends Kate and Tiarna and offers a range of summer fashion staples, from playsuits and dresses to stylish sandals.
Lou Webb Collections (@louwebbcollections)
Location: Warren, NSW
Sarah Jessica Parker showed her support for this rural business when she wore one of their handcrafted headpieces during her recent Australian visit.
Ollie & I (@ollieandiboutique)
Mashup Designs (@mashupdesigns)
Location: Cobar, NSW
Friends Molly and Ash handmake scrunchies, hair clips and headbands in a bunch of different designs, including floral and leopard print. You can visit their online store, here.
The Hall (@thehallcondo)
Location: Condoblin, NSW
Jewellery
Hand Made By Em (@handmadebyem)
Location: Breeza, NSW
These funky earrings are handcrafted from polymer clay by Em, a mum of two.
Lizzy and Me (@lizzyandmedesigns)
Jazz has been making handcrafted jewellery out of resin and clay since she opened her store back in 2014. She also offers jewellery-making workshops so you can create your own bracelets, rings or trinket trays. You can visit her online store, here.
Bags and clutches
The Good Gift Co (@thegoodgiftco)
Location: Online store operated on a property outside of Tamworth, NSW.
These chic linen and straw tote bags are available from The Good Gift Co, a premium gifting store owned by mum-of-two, Holly.
Wattle and Twine (@wattleandtwine)
Location: Made in Roma, QLD
This gorgeous gum tree clutch is handmade by Queensland designer, Andrea Phillips, who works with natural fibres and offcuts to reduce waste.
Mama Bear (@mama_bear_baby)
Location: Parkes, NSW
Mama Bear sell Australian-made nappy wallets that are both these functional and fashionable.
Home decor
Hall and Co Homewares (@hall_homewares)
Location: West Wyalong, NSW
Willow and Mill (@willowandmill)
Willow and Mill create unique eco-friendly home decor, with each piece handcrafted from sustainable fibres and fabrics.
Mink and Me (@minkandme)
Location: Coonamble, NSW.
Lucy Moss first opened Mink and Me back in 2015 and has been selling everything from artwork, indoor plants and rugs ever since.
Little Willow Lavender (@littlewillowlavender)
Location: Willow Tree, NSW
Little Willow Lavender is a small family-owned business which sells candles, bath salts and body butter made from lavender grown on their farm.
Beauty
The Beauty Room Warren (@thebeautyroomwarren)
Location: Warren, NSW
These Australian-made soaps and hand creams can be purchased in-store or over the phone.
Tea
Brisk Trading (@brisktrading)
Location: Guyra, NSW
Brisk Trading doesn’t have a website set up just yet but they can still post their products out to you.
Christmas decorations and gifts
Note Couture (@note_couture)
Location: Condobolin, NSW
Note Couture is run by two mums, Amy and Kim, who offer personalised stationery, cards and invitations.
Gifts at Teacup (@giftsatteacup)
Location: Roma, QLD
What is your favourite bush product? Tell us in the comments below.
Top Comments
Another great shop is Deberella Shoes in Taroom Qld, you can find on insta or facebook - https://www.facebook.com/de...
Hey Mamamia I have another one for you, Cymbric soaps, Broken Hill. Not only are they in the grips drought, so bad that her husband took the sheep driving to find feed, she is her daughters teacher through school of the air, and she makes divine looking hand made soaps and bath bombs. She has an Instagram page too, a Facebook page and a website, her name is Britt Anderson :)