With about six weeks until Christmas, a new website is making it easier for people to support Bendigo businesses and creatives.
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Bendigo Made, which launched on Tuesday, showcases central Victorian products and enables shoppers to buy online.
The site also directs visitors to Bendigo stockists and stores.
About 25 businesses and makers are involved in the site, thus far, with products ranging from art to accessories.
Graphic designer Dale Harris started developing Bendigo Made in 2014.
“I came up with the idea for Bendigo Made after having a frustrating time trying to find the perfect gift,” he said.
“I wanted to support local, but with only a few local stores online it was difficult to do without some prior planning.”
The idea started gathering momentum early this year, when businesses and makers got involved.
Bryley Savage, the site’s co-owner and curator, believes people might be surprised by the range and talents of the community’s makers and businesses.
“Sonia Brit has been here at Bob Boutique for 12 years and people still say, ‘I didn’t know this was here’,” she said.
In addition to owning the boutique, which stocks products by local makers, Ms Brit has her own line.
Her products, and her business, are among those featured on the website.
“It is fantastic to have a central point,” she said.
In an era of globalisation and internet shopping, Issy Kerr, of Seriously Milestones, said Bendigo Made helped shoppers gain an appreciation for what was available closer to home.
“There are so many good people in Bendigo, people who have been making things for years,” she said.
Her products, milestone cards which mark the realities of parenting, were inspired by her experiences as a mother.
“Instagram makes life too perfect,” Mrs Kerr said.
She wanted to promote awareness of the all-too-real moments often filtered from conversations about having a baby.
“I screamed all day long for no reason,” one of the cards reads.
About six months after the original cards hit the market, Mrs Kerr released a toddler edition.
Bendigo Made is online at http://www.bendigomade.com.au/
MGR Accountants is the website’s principal sponsor.
A percentage of profits will be donated to causes in the Bendigo community.
Emma D'Agostino
Covering general news and Bendigo council.
Covering general news and Bendigo council.
