The Purple Swamphen in Whitemark, Tasmania, Australia | Gift shop

The Purple Swamphen

Locality: Whitemark, Tasmania, Australia

Address: 9 Lagoon Rd 7255 Whitemark, TAS, Australia

Website: http://thepurpleswamphen.com.au

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• Shopping & retail
• Gift shop
• Home decor

25.01.2022 I want to spend more time in the kid's corner Lots of super cute knitwear, toys & books. It's also where a couple of cheeky wombats come for a visit on Friday mornings #flindersislandmade #handmadeonflindersisland #madeintasmania #tasmanianmade #buysomethingtasmanian #visitflindersisland #discovertasmania @ The Purple Swamphen

25.01.2022 Just a heads-up: the Swamphen will be closed from 15th - 19th Nov. At this point I'll be open Fri 20th & Sat 21st as normal. It's been amazing lately meeting so many lovely Tasmanians, and connecting them with beautiful local & Tassie made items. Thank you to all the visitors and locals who've made my days so busy! However, my wonderful days are getting longer and longer as I spend a lot of time outside shop hours catching up on tidying, restocking, and paperwork. I haven't h...ad a proper day off for weeks (no, not even on the long weekend recently). I have so many ideas for things I'd love to create, and haven't had time to do anything about them. And really, having an outlet for my own creations was a big reason for starting the Swamphen in the first place. Before I completely burn out I'm giving myself some time out. The beach is calling, as are my linocutting tools. Open tomorrow and next week as usual (Tue Wed Fri 10-4, Sat 10-12) Thanks, Mel

25.01.2022 This weekend seems like a pertinent time to address an issue that occasionally crops up. Sometimes customers ask for a discount, or "is that the best price you can do?", and this is what I wish I could articulate properly when I say no: First and foremost, the Swamphen is founded on paying a fair price to artists and makers for their work Handmade items take time, dedication, practice, and skill. I believe in recognising and rewarding that, so my makers are encouraged to ...keep creating. It's hard enough to price handmade items, without having to factor in income loss through discounts. The Swamphen donates to charities and local causes I often donate prizes, gift vouchers, & cash to local raffles, events, community groups. Local groups in a financial position to buy prizes from me do get a discount (the only discounts I give). It's all of you lovely customers supporting the Swamphen that enables me to do this. Funnily enough, I also believe in paying rent, bills, and other expenses Like most small businesses, I work hard on tight margins. I can't afford to give discounts to people just because they decided they don't want to pay the marked price. Anyone who *knits, sculpts, paints, creates etc* knows how long it actually takes, and what a bargain they are holding in their hands as it is, without a discount. I wonder if people ask for "something knocked off the price" from restaurants, supermarkets, airlines, cafes, chain stores etc. If not, why is it ok to ask a small handmade business in a tiny community? Thanks to all of you awesome handmade supporters: you are the ones who keep me energised and excited to share Flinders Island handmade treasures with the world. And massive thanks to the couple of locals yesterday who a) couldn't believe I have to answer the question, and b) helped me frame my thoughts around it so I don't just mumble "no" next time xx

24.01.2022 From one window to another.... I spent this afternoon doing the final clean in Number 7. It was a strange feeling taking the letters off the window. It was a great little space to get started in, and felt so big on opening night back in June 2014! I'm going to miss that mountain view I'm really loving being next door though, with gorgeous sunshine and natural light through all the windows. The extra space is amazing too, although I've already filled it nicely! ... Thanks to everyone who's supported the Swamphen over the last 6 years; I wouldn't be here without you! Current hours are Tue Wed Fri 10-4, Sat 10-12. See you for a sticky-beak sometime! #visitflindersisland #flindersisland #flindersislandmade #handmadeonflindersisland #tasmanianmade @ The Purple Swamphen

19.01.2022 Look what's back in store: Little Red Handmade scented candles! I know there are a few islanders who've been waiting to nab a few I have canisters & tins... get 'em while they're stocked

19.01.2022 Quick shop tour on this rainy day I have a couple of companions today!

15.01.2022 The last few months have seen us adapt to many new situations, which eventually became habits. Now that you have the hang of washing & sanitising your hands regularly, you've seen how easy it is to make a small change that has a big impact! Plastic Free July is all about little changes that turn into habits. A few years ago I decided I would no longer use plastic bags while shopping, so it's completely automatic for me to pop a reusable bag in my pocket. These items here alwa...ys live in my bag, ready to be whipped out when I need them: #ecosilkbags are super-strong and hold the perfect amount of shopping) @onyalife produce bags mean my fruit & veg can stay nude for the trip home @ever.eco bamboo cutlery for the occasional takeaway or picnic lunch @sustomi and @beekeep.visitingwildflowers beeswax wraps for bread or dry snacks and a (sadly plastic lined) paper bag, reused after buying groceries. It's great for takeaway wraps, falafel, and other messy lunches All of this compacts down to a space about the size of my wallet. Easy peasy! What's one plastic item in your life that you could try swapping out? #plasticfreejuly #plasticfreeflindersisland #breakfreefromplastic

14.01.2022 These hand-formed Blue Rocks soaps look delicious maybe if I swear a bit more mum will tell me to wash my mouth out and I can test how good they taste... I'm restocked with Kath's soaps, bath bombs, and beeswax candles. It smells amazing in here #flindersislandmade #visitflindersisland #bluerockssoaps #beeswaxcandles #tasmanianmade #madeintasmania @ Whitemark, Tasmania, Australia

14.01.2022 It's Show Day on Friday! Normally I'd be either setting up a mini version of the Swamphen in the Trades Pavilion, or enjoying wandering about and chatting to friends, shopping at trade stalls, or listening to a band in the bar This year, though, I'll be having a day at home with some lino, my carving tools, and some of the zillion creative ideas I've had lately but haven't had time to do anything about. I can't wait to get inky fingers! ... As it's a local public holiday, most shops here will be closed on Friday. If you're visiting our beautiful island make sure you plan ahead and have picnic/bbq supplies, then go out and explore! The Swamphen is open tomorrow (Wed) 10-4, and Sat 10-12 Mel x

14.01.2022 It's not every day that a couple of Caspian Terns come in to land These porcelain birds are made by Flinders Island local Fiona Stewart. Every feather is painted by hand, capturing the beautiful details of these gorgeous terns. In the past her shearwaters have flown out the door and around the globe (rather appropriately for a migratory bird). I imagine these terns will also find new homes quickly!... #flindersislandmade #handmadeonflindersisland #tasdesigned #tasmanianmade #tasmania #visitflindersisland #flindersisland #caspiantern #madeintasmania #buysomethingtasmanian

14.01.2022 So it seems I'm not quite in the swing of the new digs yet... I spent all day yesterday with the sign this way round in the window top tip: if the A-frame sign and sanitiser are out front I'm open. Don't trust the window signs! Oh well, most customers worked it out without much trouble Anyhoo, I need to go to Launnie this weekend, and my covid-safe plan makes it tricky to have someone else open the shop right now. This means the shop will be closed Saturday morning, and not open til next Wednesday. But at least these days you've got lots of windows to sticky-beak through! See you as normal tomorrow and Wednesday and psssst... I have a wombat friend popping by tomorrow morning

12.01.2022 Slight rearrangement of the book section today I love giving books, especially to young people. It's quite wonderful to snuggle into a couch with a small person and share a good book. It helps set them up for a life loving reading (I'll try to put my teacher hat away now) These are nearly all written by Tasmanian authors, and are suitable for a range of ages. Perfect for posting! (yes it's kinda that time of year already... )... I also love that this shelf has hand prints of my eldest child when she was about 2 thanks for the artwork and the loan of the shelf @zoesherriffmusic ! Open tomorrow (Wed) 10-4, Fri 9:30-2:30, Sat 10-12 @bridgetfarmerprintmaker @redparka @soniastrongartist @dunstan_and_theodore @pigment.monicareeve

12.01.2022 2021 Wombat Calendars and postcards are here! A4, spiral bound, lots of space for writing in, Tasmanian made Thanks heaps @nobleink_designandprint we love them ... These are selling fast, and we won't be ordering any more this year. Purchase in store or order online https://checkout.square.site/buy/PUAUVAMICS3CQ5YOWXHOYXRM Calendars $29 each, postage within Aus $12 for 1-5, $15 for 6 or more. 100% of proceeds to @flindersislandwombat for feed & cleaning supplies. This is Kate's main fundraiser for the year. If you've visited the island and enjoyed meeting her wombats please consider supporting these funny little creatures! #flindersisland #visitflindersisland #flindersislandwombat #nobleink_designandprint #tasmanianmade #wombatcalendar #wombatsofinstagram #wombatlove

12.01.2022 Slight tweaks to the hours this week... I'll be working at the dental surgery, and have trained up a new offsider Just like me, she has a few other commitments, so the hours are a little funky. But I have a feeling she'll bring a special guest or two to make up for it

11.01.2022 The 2021 Flinders Island Wombat calendar is almost here! Pre-orders are now available via the link (at the bottom of my waffle), and these will be shipped as soon as the calendars arrive on Flinders (hopefully late this week / early next week). It's A4 sized (unopened, so A3ish when hanging), with spiral binding. Free Flinders Island pickup: use this link to prepay and reserve your calendars. Just select free local pickup at checkout :) Off-island postage (within Australia) ...can be selected at checkout. For overseas orders please get in touch with me. This checkout platform doesn't let me post internationally, but it can be done case-by-case. This year we have chosen a small Tasmanian business to print the calendar, instead of using a large multinational. Thanks heaps to Paul from Noble Ink! All proceeds from the calendar go directly to Kate Mooney to help her pay for feed, vet care and cleaning costs for the island's orphaned wombat joeys. (also: this checkout link is a new thing for me... let me know if anything is glitchy!) https://checkout.square.site/buy/PUAUVAMICS3CQ5YOWXHOYXRM

11.01.2022 A mini break to Tassie... I wish we had this stuff on Flinders Island! #discovertasmania #abcmyphoto #tasmania #tassiestyle

10.01.2022 So many new pretties have arrived lately! I love having the space and light to show them properly to everyone who comes in Here are some of the gorgeous homewares in store at the moment. Unfortunately I don't have time to list anything online these days (so many people checking out the new space!), so if you see something you like make sure you either pop in soon or send me a message @janettoonen Janet's handmade baskets are incredibly popular; she's also a featured artis...t at @nichemarketbazaar this week. So exciting that her little collections of Flinders Island treasures are heading into the wider world #flindersislandmade #flindersisland #visitflindersisland #handmadeonflindersisland #madeintasmania #tasmanianmade #buysomethingtasmanian @ The Purple Swamphen

10.01.2022 A bit of colour for the weekend! The forecast is for rain, so I'm hoping to spend some time by the fire with some gorgeous soft hand dyed yarn by Fibreworks And I keep forgetting to mention that we have masks in store, made by my mum Lots of people have been sending these to family interstate, but some clever peeps have bought some for gardening, whipper snipping, cleaning out the chook pen, and other dusty jobs.... The masks are all triple layered cotton, mostly with elastic loops but I do have some with ties instead @ Whitemark, Tasmania, Australia

09.01.2022 I think this is called a Wriggle of Wombats Achilles decided he wanted some alone time and is asleep outside the igloo while everyone else jostles for the best spot in the sunshine little Pecan is being very brave in the doorway at the end of the vid! In the Swamphen, when you purchase anything wombat-themed (cards, brooches, tea cosies, whatever!) a portion of the price is donated to local carer Kate Mooney, to help pay for the feed and cleaning costs for these orphaned ...babies. Honestly, I've had 6 joeys in my care for about two weeks now and there is So. Much. Washing. Kate is amazing for having various ages of wombats permanently trundling through her house! I'm just the respite carer / babysitter and am worn out already It's so rewarding seeing them grow up to be independent wild wombats though: leaving home to find their own territories, and very occasionally bringing their own babies back for a visit to Kate's #visitflindersisland #flindersisland #wombatsofinstagram #tassiestyle #wombats #tasmania #abcmyvideo

08.01.2022 Some gorgeous local artwork has come in to the Swamphen lately 1. "Girl in a Red Dress" linoprint by @my.wild.one Rhianna Barnewall 2. "Craggy Island" acrylic by Ken Oakenfull... 3. "Petrifaction Bay" watercolour by Jaga Lipska I'm on the big island this coming week but my trusty rusty offsider will have the shop open Tue Wed 9:30-2:30, Fri 9:30-1:30, Sat 10-12. Hope your weekend is going well, wherever you are!

06.01.2022 Spring into Scavenge is on tomorrow morning, Sat 31st October! At the Scavenge, you’ll be able to clean-upthe Whitemark foreshorearea, sort and catalogue your litter and then exchange it for pre-loved clothes, books, toys and more that have been donated by the local community. There's also a line-up of live musicians, including @zoesherriffmusic @theislanddistiller & @donati_sandro ... It's on from 9am to 1pm, based at the Whitemark foreshore BBQ area. Make sure you register online (there's a handy QR code for this on the posters round town), and bring your gloves, bag, hat & sunscreen. Even in our remote part of the world we still get plastics and other rubbish washing up on the beaches. Come along and help us keep our island pristine! @seasidescavenge #springintoscavenge2020 #plasticfreeflindersisland #waronwasteaustralia #artfromrubbish #flindersisland

05.01.2022 Open today until 12, then I'm having a little staycation See you on Tue 24th Nov

03.01.2022 Ahhh spring in Tasmania... I often say "there's no bad weather, just inappropriate clothing", but today is really testing me! I'm not keen on going out in this howling easterly and bucketing rain, regardless of what I'm wearing! Instead I'm at home catching up on admin and watching the rain wash my windows Lots of new things have come in to the shop lately; here are some gorgeous wallets and purses that have arrived this week Dusky Robin is a Tasmanian brand designing be...autiful and practical leather goods. I currently have 4 of their styles in stock, in various colours: the Carrie and Dusky wallets (gender neutral, compact), and the Leisha and Jane purses (will hold just about anything you could want your purse to take). The small yellow is the Carrie wallet, which is super practical, with a couple of zip compartments and room for cards + notes. The tan&black is a Jane purse, and the cool thing about this one is that the contrast section is removable, which means you basically get a free zip pouch/clutch with your purse Anyway, hope you're warm & cosy, wherever you are today. The shop is open tomorrow 10-4, Saturday 10-12, and Tue Wed 10-4 Mel x @dusky_robin #duskyrobinleather

01.01.2022 Those who are subscribed to the mailing list already know this news... but.... ... oooh look at all those windows, and all that space! For the Swamphen's 6th birthday I'm giving it some room to spread its wings From next Monday I'll be moving the nest next door! ... It may be a little chaotic for a week or two while I get organised, but I can't wait to see how our island treasures look in there. More space for locally-made furniture! Space for workshops & gatherings! Room for things I haven't dreamed of yet! Seems it's a year of big changes for the Swamphen, what with the online shop and covid Thank you to all my makers and customers: every contribution, no matter how small, has helped give me the confidence to take this step P.S. we'll also be open more in the coming weeks, as my other jobs ease off and Swampy hours can return to normal.