Australian Made Week 2022
Australian Made Week is here and we’re ready to celebrate all things made right here in Australia! This year, we’ll be highlighting not only our work, but our community, our partnerships, our customers and our inspiration with stories of what Australian Made means to us. So let’s get this party started!
Our Sustainably Australian Made Products
Picture it: Two people move from New York to Sydney in 2016 and struggle to find lightweight, sustainably made Aussie gifts to send overseas. Options are limited. Most Aussie themed products are draped or made from plastic and made offshore. As a new arrival, it seemed odd that so many Aussie themed products, even by small businesses, were made overseas with lots of plastic. The very thing those products were selling - images of Australian animals or plants was ultimately harming them in the end. Strange, no?
Okay, now what if I told you those two people were an artist and a graphic designer who happened to be crazy about birdwatching, snorkelling and bushwalking? Also, those two people are us (!) and that’s how Outer Island was born; out of a genuine need, but more importantly, a genuine love and desire to offer an alternative to what was out there at the time.
When you spend as much time in nature as we do, you become hyper aware of anything that might harm it. From practicing ethical birdwatching ourselves to using the cradle to cradle materials methodology in our own business, we put our hearts into what we make to celebrate Australian nature and shine a light in its direction. This has been a path less traveled and often it takes longer for us to launch a product or source materials. We put a lot of energy into bringing you guilt-free gifting or collecting, but it’s worth it for so many reasons and during this year’s Australian Made Week we couldn’t be prouder to share our story and our products with you.
Australian Made Markets
We’ve been so fortunate to be a small part of so many incredible Australian Made Markets over the years. Did you know that not only do the markets we do showcase incredible makers, but the organizers also go to extraordinary lengths to make sure the products sold there are Australian made? We love doing markets and are constantly amazed at the breadth of Australian design, craftsmanship and originality.
We put a lot of love into markets, but nothing compared to what it actually takes to create, run and organize one. These markets lead our community and inspire so many people, in all cities in Australia. We are in awe of the skill, effort and tenacity (especially after the last few years) it takes to put one of these on. Simply put, these folks are legends and if you’re looking for a unique gift and experience for an afternoon, make sure to hit one of them up or check out their online directories.
Right now, we’re looking forward to a local Marrickville market this Saturday, 11 June through Hypmotive, a shop forged in community, celebrating local makers. If you’re local, hope to see you there, but you can also find us at other Australian Made Markets throughout the year and here’s a shout out to the organizers of these incredible markets:
Handmade Canberra (Australian Made certified)
Makers & Shakers (Australian Made certified)
The Best Customers in the World 💖
Spoiler alert: It’s all of you! Seriously, you’re great. But not because you buy our stuff, but because you share your stories, your hopes and your visions for a better future with us. We hear the most incredible personal stories about Australian nature from our customers. These are deeply meaningful memories that we feel honored to hear. Each story is a reminder to us of the power of nature to connect humans. It usually starts with something of ours triggering a memory you have of a special encounter, often tied to other people or family in your life that you then share with us, connecting us to that joy.
You also share your hope with us for a better future by gifting or collecting our products. Each time any of us buys anything out there we vote with our wallets for the world we’d like to see. We thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, for caring about the planet and supporting our work and platform which we use to help support plants, birds and animals. We are all undeniably connected and we are humbled by our amazing brilliant customers.
Thank you for letting us share the joy we find from being in nature with you, and in turn, the joy you share with us. Now how’s that for a positive feedback loop!
Stores Supporting Australian Made Products
Sometimes when I think about where we started, coming up with kernels of ideas for Outer Island, to stocking our products in some of the most incredible places in Australia I have to pinch myself to make sure I’m not dreaming. Each new stockist is a jump for joy and behind each new stockist is an individual or organization daring to do better - stock more Australian made products, stock local or stock sustainably.
When a shop stocks anyone’s products they take a chance on that maker and we are so thankful for all the shops that have taken a chance on us. Often, we find we’re in extraordinary company in these shops, with other Australian Made products and if you’re looking for unique Australian Made products, might we recommend a few amazing shops:
Australian Design Centre Object Shop
National Trust of Australia Gift Shop (coming soon)
Australian Makers
We might be biased, but we think our community of Australian makers is simply the best in the world and not just for their extraordinary talent, but also for the comradery they create and their generosity of spirit and support.
Each market or community event that we do, we make new friends. There’s an undeniable synergy among creatives and we find so much in common with other makers that we meet. We are so lucky to call so many other makers friends. We are inspired by their brilliant creations and can’t wait to see what they do next. Here’s a small shout out to some:
Albatross Ceramics — Babs Bodycare — Bandicute — Eggpicnic — Emilio Frank Design — Emma Jane Illustration — Gisela Spallek — Hayden Youlley — Hunter Candles — Little Rowan Redhead — Liz Lau — Lost Collective — Luke Abbot Designs — Maya Muse Textiles — Molly Coombs Marr — Pack of Mine — Parva Little Things — Public Holiday — Ruby Raisin — Shuh — Sian Fay — Sovereign Collection — The Bird Photographer — Trade the Mark — Vicki Lui — Voluptuary — You Are Brave.
Partnerships
We believe in giving back to organisations doing the hard work to preserve and protect the native animals and plants featured on our designs and are so proud to have partnered with three incredible organisations: BirdLife Australia, The Australian Marine Conservation Society and Foundation and Friends of the Botanic Gardens. Our donations come directly from your support and 5% from selected products are donated. A bit more about the charities:
BirdLife Australia is the nation’s largest bird conservation organisation who’s mission is to make a real and positive difference for Australia’s birds. And what a difference they’ve made. Around since 1901 they were there at the very start of bird conservation. Their more recent achievements include identified 315 Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs), releasing over 100 critically endangered Regent Honeyeaters back into the wild, establishing sanctuaries, providing protection through fencing for our birds and so much more.
The Australian Marine Conservation Society is Australia’s only national charity dedicated solely to protecting Australia’s ocean wildlife. Formed over fifty years ago by scientists and ocean conservationists, AMCS has led the fight to protect our oceans. They’ve prevented mining on the Great Barrier Reef, helped spearhead a global ban on commercial whaling, secured the Great Barrier Reef as a marine park, saved Ningaloo Reef, created the sustainable fishing revolution and much, much more.
Foundation & Friends plays an important role in supporting horticulture, science, research, education and conservation. They support The Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney, the Blue Mountains Botanic Gardens Mount Tomah and The Australian Botanic Gardens Mount Annan.
We are also delighted to offer all members of the above Botanic Gardens a 10% discount on any online order. The discount code will have been previously provided to you by Foundation & Friends. If you see us at a market, simply flash your membership card to receive the discount in person.
Love of Australia
Our entire business is built on love for Australian nature. We’re so lucky to call Australia home and spend so much time exploring this beautiful country. The older we get, the more fortunate we realize we are, spoilt with natural beauty so close to Sydney where we live. The native plants, animals and marine life are extraordinarily unique here, a rare gift among the already rare gift that nature gives. We feel joy, peace and harmony when we’re outside and we do our best to channel that inspiration into our products and artwork.
Outer Island is one big love letter to Australian nature and the wonder it holds. We are constantly learning and the conversation changes all the time, especially with the climate crisis. While our love for Australian nature remains unconditional, unfortunately, nature itself is at the mercy of the conditions us humans have created.
For us, being Australian Made is an extension of the love we have for Australian nature. To make products here and to make them sustainably shines a spotlight, however small, on the kinds of impacts businesses can have if they choose to. At the end of the day, what businesses do matters so much. Don’t be fooled by greenwashing - when a business spends more dollars marketing to you that they care about the environment than dollars actually spent making a change. Find the businesses that truly care, and one way you can do that is to support Australian Made products.
We love Australia and we can’t wait to showcase our new designs for the Christmas season with you, all inspired by this love.
Until then, thanks for supporting Australian Made products!