Utilising the space upstairs as a Preloved Clothing Boutique followed quite naturally. A chance meeting with Sustainable Fashion Advocate Bianca Flint and her business The Wardrobe Green has developed into a passionate collaboration. The space we call ‘Hattie’s Wardrobe Green’ has developed into a partnership we can both be very proud of. We buy and sell high end women’s clothing and accessories, and have just recently developed our own range of upcycled clothing called ‘UPCYCLED’. Bianca and I are both passionate about circular fashion and are pleased to have established a place where women can ‘trade in’ their beautiful, well cared for clothes.

Hattie and the Wolf is now Ballarat's go-to destination for lovers of eco friendly, Australian made, and locally handmade items. The minute you walk through the door you can see that everything inside has a story to tell. It’s a space I am proud to call my own and it’s true what they say ‘ do what you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life’.
Andrea x
Find us at 218a Skipton Street, Ballarat | www.hattieandthewolf.com.au

Hattie and the Wolf is fast gaining a reputation as Ballarat's go-to destination for lovers of eco-friendly, Australian-made and locally handmade items. But it's also a top source of inspiration for newly engaged eco warriors.

Regardless of whether you do a little or a lot, planning an eco-friendly wedding will create a unique experience and minimise your impact on the environment. 

Big Love Andrea x

To me, shopping sustainably means shopping with a conscience. It means asking questions about where a product was made, who made it and with what materials?

It can be overwhelming trying to navigate your way toward the most sustainable choices, and how do we even  know that what we are being told is the whole truth?

Thankfully, there are a few easy ways to ensure that you are taking steps in the right direction.

Here are three ways you can shop more sustainably right now -

BUY LOCAL ~ yep, seems pretty simple doesn’t it? Just choosing to buy from your local makers and producers (farm gate) is a more sustainable way to shop. Why? Because you’re cutting down on carbon emissions released when products are transported from one place to another. This is particularly relevant to our fresh food choices. By supporting local farmers and eating seasonal produce, you are supporting the production of crops that are appropriate for our environment as well.

Supporting locally owned businesses in general, means sustaining your local community. It stimulates the local economy and your money stays in your town.

Sustainable Gift Wrapping.

Unwrapping a gift is definitely half the fun of receiving one … but unfortunately this love we have to cover things in paper, ribbons and all things pretty, comes at a cost to our planet.

But the good news is, there are many ways you can still have fun with wrapping gifts without hurting the environment. It just takes a little creative thinking and little pushing of the boundaries! But I’m game if you are!

When Andrea first introduced me to the concept of The Slow Movement I couldn’t believe how strongly it resonated with me! I’ve felt, like so many of us often do, that life was moving too fast. Little ones growing too quickly, a never ending to do list and no time to slow down and enjoy the moment.
I’ve always loved gardening and using my harvest to create yummy things for my family and friends. It’s the same with my tea business, creating tea blends that I can share with others brings me immense joy. And it’s as much about the blend as the experience a cup of tea offers. A moment of peace, a shared laugh and some good conversation, or maybe even a special celebration. For me, tea is moments and memories, intertwined through our lives, sip by sip.

What I never realised was that all these things shared a common element. A search for connection. Tea is, at its heart, about slowing down and realising a moment and making a connection there; whether that be with ourselves and a moment of inner silence, or with the others we choose to share that moment with. I think a lot of us already embrace The Slow Movement without even realising it. And once we understand why these things bring us so much joy, we can more actively pursue them.

​I’ve always loved buying handmade. I like knowing the items are ethically produced, often unique, but most importantly, made with love. And I love getting to meet the people behind the business. Hearing their stories. Discovering that Mel’s jam recipe has been in her family for generations, and the berries came from her own backyard. Or that when Lisa designed my little girls skirt, she knew it would be for twirling. This level of connection is transformative, it turns everyday objects into something so much more.​

And as makers and small business owners, we love the heck out of getting to meet you, our customers! Because, while not the only reason, you’re a major part of why we do what we do. And certainly make our little businesses possible! Sure, there are other factors that influence why we chose this path in life, but most of us are also using something we love as a means of spreading joy to others. And when we get to see that joy, well, it lights up our worlds.

It probably seems counter intuitive then that small business owners would choose a lifestyle that is, in many ways, so isolating. And that’s why people like Andrea, and places like Hattie and the Wolf are so important. They foster connection. They create something. Call it what you want, a community, a tribe . . . a place to belong and a place where joy to comes to life.​

By featuring different makers monthly in her Pop Up Creative Space, Andrea is giving small businesses, not only, the opportunity to have their very own brick and mortar store experience, but the opportunity to connect. As one of the small business stocked by Andrea, I can’t recommend this enough. Andrea’s visual merchandising is amazing and her customer service exceptional. There is no doubt that if join the Hattie and the Wolf Creative Space your product will be treated with love and sold with passion. But you’ll be getting so much more, you’ll be getting a community of people who lift you up, encourage and inspire you, people who help you spread your joy. You’ll be getting a tribe!
 
Be fearless. Join the tribe!​

Hello! And Welcome, I’m so happy you’re here 😊

This year has seen some huge changes for this amazing little business, including the leap from online store to the gorgeous brick and mortar shop at 218a Skipton Street, Ballarat.

If you’ve already visited you’ll know that Andrea’s passion for retail and love of small business are evident from the moment you step through the door. Her warm smile and inviting nature offer a shopping experience that’s getting harder and harder to find these days.

Exploring her beautiful store is like embarking on a treasure hunt. There’s a joy in letting your eyes wander across the shelves, discovering pockets of handmade goodness, lovingly collected and displayed. But there’s more going on here than meets the eye . . . there’s a revolution brewing. The Slow Movement is gaining traction and we’re inviting you to join!

So, “What is this Slow Movement?” I hear you say. I’m so very glad you asked!

The Slow Movement is about searching for, and finding, connections in our lives. Connections to the food we eat, the people we meet and the products we buy. As life continues to move faster and faster many of us have begun searching for a way to slow it down. A way to find a sense of balance and return to a simpler way of living, a way to live a more connected life.

Some of us have found joy in growing and sharing our own food, becoming connected again to the things we eat. Others are searching for community involvement, welcoming amazing initiatives like the Ballarat Food Is Free Laneway and Boomerang Bags, which offer community connectedness through acts of kindness that also promote sustainability.

At Hattie and the Wolf, Andrea offers us an opportunity to reconnect with the people who make the products we buy. Both through her incredible knowledge of the small businesses she stocks and her regular “meet the maker” events. These events also offer a wonderful opportunity to connect with others who share similar interests. She’s also building a community of small businesses, of makers and dreamers, a community of people who put their heart and soul into the products you buy. A community I am incredibly proud, and grateful, to be a part of. Because together, we’re making amazing things happen, and this is just the beginning . . .
 
Be fearless! Join the revolution! And slow down.

Yes, it's true! After 6 years on the market trail, we have found a permanent space to house our business(es). 

Our new shop space 'Hattie and the Wolf' is a creative hub, full of wonder and carefully selected products that will delight. We source our ranges from independent makers, designers and manufacturers from Australia and abroad, to bring you a carefully curated collection of products including fresh flowers, locally blended teas, clothing, jewellery, creams and lotions, napery, toys, rugs and throws, bags and accessories.

We also offer small businesses the opportunity to hire a "pop up' space within our store, an exciting concept and a first for Ballarat in its current format.  

Our May businesses include: 
Made by Me's Christine French is the maker behind this little startup business. Christine makes glass cabochons jewellery using upcycled and found objects including flowers, leaves and items from nature. The Made by Me range includes earrings, pendants and hair clips.
The Wardrobe Green founder Bianca Flint describes her business as "FABULOUS PRELOVED FASHION" ... providing women an affordable and sustainable shopping experience. Saving garments from landfill and finding them a loving home is the ultimate goal.
One Little Leaf's chief tea maker Sarah Lane has spent a great deal of time scouring the world for the best quality ingredients to use in creating her tea blends. Ingredients are, where ever possible, organic or wild crafted and are blended together with love and passion to create the One Little Leaf range. 
Blue Wren Floristry's owner Carly Young creates beautiful fresh flower posies presented in reusable jars or vintage style signature wrapping. Blue Wren Floristry also specialise in making terrariums and kokedamas (moss balls) as a unique way to display indoor plants.

Hattie and the Wolf is the flagship store of our very own 'Bird & Blossom' range of products which includes wooden jewellery, cards, prints, notebooks and journals, doily bunting and felt products. 

Hattie and the Wolf can be found at 218a Skipton St, Ballarat Central. Open from Wednesday to Friday, 10am - 5pm and Saturday 10am - 2pm. 

Do you spend hours pacing up and down the aisles of major toy stores trying to decide on expensive toys and gifts for your little cherubs, when you know damn well they are going to end up at the bottom of that stinking toy box, cast aside like last nights peas? 

I hear your frustration, I have been there.

When our son was little, the thought of spending hours wandering those same aisles at the toy store used to make me want to stay in bed, because I knew that after a couple of hours, those toys, the special things that I had spent precious hours trying to find,  would be pushed aside and forgotten about forever.

I felt as if we may as well have fed our hard earned $$ straight into a slot machine, at least we would have had a bit of fun throwing it away!  Do you hear me?

After a few years doing the same dance, I decided that, for my own sanity, I needed to change tack, come up with a way to keep the kid happy at Christmas and on his birthday, without the stress it caused to our bank balance and my anxiety levels. 

That was when I decided to fill the Christmas stocking with 'little things'... and boy was that a hit!

I found lots of little items, you know, like little cars, bug catching sets, drawing supplies, useful, fun little things that don't cost a fortune, then I wrapped them all separately and stuffed them in that stocking until it was brimming with happy, good fun!

Not only did our little boy have the best time unwrapping all of those 'little things', he also felt like he had hit the mother-load! His little eyes were wide with joy, (phew), and best of all, he was entertained for hours. It felt great to see him fulfilled, happy and occupied and it was satisfying to know that we didn't have to spend hundreds of dollars to achieve such happiness. 

So, beautiful, busy, wonderful Mumma's, I have been you, I have lived your frustrations and now I would like to help make  life a little easier for you this Christmas.  

Hattie and the Wolf has a dedicated virtual aisle in our shop where you can find a tonne of 'little things'.

Quality products that won't break the bank, (or break!), but will definitely keep the kids occupied and engaged for hours, (no electricity or wifi required!).

​Hit the link to be taken straight there without having to move out of your chair, (awesome, I know!). ​

Or maybe you can't even find the time to browse our website? That's ok, we have simplified the process even more by creating a list of fun and engaging stocking fillers for under $20.

Simply enter your email address below and we will send it straight to your inbox, no hassle!

We'd love to hear your ideas around shopping for gifts for your kids, hit us up in the comments below.

In the meantime, stay sane beautiful Mumma, you are awesome today and always!

​Andrea. x

Sarah Quin launched her wholesale business Canvas Home in 2007 as an outlet for her love of unique textiles, colour and pattern. Canvas Home was born from the idea that even when starting with a blank canvas, textiles can transform any environment. 

Based in Qld, Canvas & Sasson design beautiful bags and clutches, soft furnishing and home decor items in divine colour schemes that capture the essence of bohemian living. 

Get your boho on with a clutch you can take from day to night.

Gigantic beach throws for hot Summer days lazing by the water.

We love the new range from Canvas & Sasson and know that you will love it too.
Expected arrival October 2016.

O.B.Designs (short for ODBOD Designs) was born in 2008 on a humble kitchen table by two friends who wanted to create funny little toys that made people laugh.
​Based in the outskirts of Byron Bay in Murwillumbah and Lennox Head, O.B. Designs create kids toys & gifts that are not only stylish, funny & unique, but also very functional. 

The world is full of amazing designers, makers, crafters and generally savvy business people, and we are so excited to be bringing them together for you to enjoy in one place. 

Hattie and the wolf is set to launch on Oct 3. To keep up to date with all of the good stuff, sign up to our newsletter or follow us on fb or insta.

be fearless...