Indholdsfortegnelse for Issue 64 - Summer 2025 i Peppermint Magazine

What inspired you to start Lyka? My Border Collie, Lyka, has been my best friend for years. Sixteen to be exact! As any dog mum, I’ve always wanted to do the best by her. That meant buying premium kibble, following all the vet advice, and making sure she got plenty of exercise. But despite doing everything ‘right’, around her fifth birthday she started losing energy, her coat became dull, and she just wasn’t her vibrant self. I started cooking meals for Lyka, using only fresh, real food. The transformation was incredible. Her coat grew glossy, her energy returned and she was thriving again. That experience opened my eyes to how powerful real food can be. I wanted all dogs to have access to life-changing nutrition, so I teamed up with…

Everyone has a role to play in helping spot these patterns of behaviour for their family, friends, colleagues or literally anyone you interact with. Sometimes the most powerful movements begin quietly. In 2019, Famin Ahmed found herself at home, not abroad (like many of her peers) celebrating her recent graduation from the University of Queensland. With a Bachelor of Arts/Law under her belt and a full-time role in law secured for the following year, she had a six-month window of unstructured time, but travel wasn’t an option. Her family was navigating a complex domestic violence situation – and her presence in the home was essential. Amid the uncertainty, Famin turned to a familiar skill: sewing. The hum of a machine, fabric scraps spread across the table, and Gilmore Girls playing…

Tell us about your brand! Cinnamon Daisy is a size-inclusive sewing pattern brand, for ever-changing bodies. Bodies change constantly (or at least mine does!); finding clothes that move with you is pretty tricky. In 2020, I was furloughed from work and decided to dig out my sewing machine, all my old fashion books and fabric from my university days and I got creative again. It was during this time that I remembered how much joy sewing brings me! I thought “why not start a sewing business? Other people have done it, so why can’t I? How hard can it be?” – forever the idealist. So, through a need for clothes to fit my body and a love of creativity, Cinnamon Daisy was born. When I’m designing new patterns, I have…

https://seedsprout.com.au/ An ideal day for Sophie Kovic begins with a cup of tea on the deck as the morning light filters through the trees. A stroll through the flourishing veggie garden and a check on the natural swimming pool precedes a visit to other parts of the property – a permaculture farm in Byron Bay’s verdant hinterland – where she soaks up the abundance that comes with communal living. “There’s always something happening, from new plantings to creative projects,” says Sophie. “Life here is built on small, meaningful interactions.” Since founding her eco-conscious brand Seed & Sprout in Byron Bay in 2016, Sophie has been cultivating a lifestyle that mirrors the values of her business. She took things to the next level, however, after watching the 2020 documentary Kiss the…

“I believe it is important to remind yourself that you are enough. No matter what stage you are at, you are deserving of love and support. The youngest person in Australia to access gender affirmation treatment, Georgie faced a gruelling experience that has helped change the law around gender care. Georgie uses her voice to open doors for others – advocating for the rights of trans youth and their families – and plays the first trans character on the long-running TV show Neighbours. She shares what she’s learned about community and the beauty of being yourself. The most joyful part of tapping into my most authentic self has been meeting wonderful people along the way. As I’ve gotten older I have realised that, as cliché as it sounds, being yourself…

“People are simply striving to be seen as who they truly are, and by extending genuine respect and care, you can empower those around you to step into their full self. I identify with being queer or non-binary. For me, this looks like adopting ‘they’ and ‘she’ pronouns but I’m comfortable with people addressing me how they like – I think of gender as a societal construct and a way I can experiment with my personal expression of self. It’s difficult to describe what this journey looks like because it is always non-linear and continuing as I get to know myself better! Meeting and connecting with other queer and trans people have been integral to discovering my own sense of self. Frank conversations, unrelenting love, and community always provide a…

WHAT YOU’LL NEED Tracing paperPencilScissorsGreen feltPlastic eyes and washersNeedleBlack threadPink threadPinsGreen threadWaxed stringA handful of stuffing LET’S GET MAKING! Trace and cut your Lucky Pickle pieces from the template. Take one pickle piece and use scissors to help insert the eyes and fasten with the washers (see page 103)*, about a quarter of the way down. Use black thread to stitch a mouth, then use pink thread to stitch some rosy freckles. Lay another pickle piece on top of the face, making sure the face is on the inside and the contours of the pickle pieces are aligned. Using green thread and blanket stitch (**), start at the top and sew one seam of the pickle pieces together. Add the third pickle piece, and sew up the second seam from…

THENONSENSEMAKER.COM.AU (Check online for market updates and stockists!) We love that we can bring a hint of imagination and whimsy into everyday life by making ordinary objects fun. Can you tell us about the origins of The Nonsense Maker? It all began when we were in our early 20s and Emily was in London. She kept a travel sketchbook and The Nonsense Maker became an expression of her alter ego: a caffeine-fuelled adventurer living in a world where little is as it seems. On returning to Melbourne, she reached out to me (Sidonie) as I was doing a business degree, to help her put together a solo exhibition. It was really successful and that was the catalyst for launching the brand. Initially, it was a side hustle. Emily was doing…

READ https://www.simonandschuster.com.au/books/New-Again/Geneva-Vanderzeil/9781923046764 NEW AGAIN Geneva Vanderzeil What makes this book special is that it shifts your perspective: suddenly you’re seeing potential everywhere! Geneva (author of Home Is Where You Make It and founder of Collective Gen) offers 100+ innovative upcycling projects to turn ‘trash’ into treasure. Whether you’re tackling painting, timber restoration, tiling or upholstery, Geneva’s approachable tutorials work for both beginners and experts. Her signature creative approach combined with stunning before-and-afters makes this essential reading for anyone seeking sustainable style. https://www.allenandunwin.com/browse/book/Kirli-Saunders-Eclipse-9781761471308 ECLIPSE Kirli Saunders Exploring notions of Country and the cosmos, Kirli Saunders’ latest release brings together poetry and original artworks, and proves there’s probably nothing this multihyphenate can’t do. An artist, author, playwright and singer-songwriter, Kirli describes herself as “a proud Gunai Woman who rarely stays in her…

I lost my best friend recently. She was everything you could hope for in a BFF – loyal, funny, supportive, protective, opinionated and gave great hugs. She didn’t put up with nonsense and she protected her boundaries with great passion. She was always up for a chat and ready to listen to my woes – although admittedly we didn’t actually speak the same language. In fact we weren’t even the same species… but that never got in the way of our love and connection. I miss Sparky’s furry (forever-frowning-and-judgemental) feline face every day. Our pets most certainly are family, and in fact, research shows that the grief of losing an animal friend is comparable to losing a human loved one. I’ve found it’s also a very isolating mourning experience. As…

https://peppermintmag.com/sewing-school/daisy-dress/ Daisy, daisy… we’re all for the love of you! Breathe deep sassy stitchers, because this boho beauty might just take your breath away! Dreaming of a flowy, blousy dress with beautiful details to take you through sunny days and beyond? Same, babe, same – so we designed it! The Daisy Dress offers a bounty of fun features and styling options to customise this marvellous make. Let’s start with the raglan sleeves; gathered in at the collar and the cuff the sleeves promise fullness and fabulousness, topped off by the optional insertion of lace or trim (swoon!). The Daisy is designed with lots of ease (with a tie belt to cinch), there’s a button placket down the front, and you can bet that this beauty has pockets. The band collar…

“So many inclusion efforts focus on not causing offence. I wish more would shift their focus more towards helping people feel welcome and wanted. Nobody was more surprised than me when I started to suspect that some of the negative feelings I’d had about my body were related to gender. I had been very inactive and unfit my whole life, then embarked on a rigorous life makeover that saw me get really fit and athletic. When I still didn’t like what I saw in the mirror, I got curious about what was behind it and started experimenting with how I presented myself in the world. I discovered that the more I feminised my presentation, the happier I was. Gender identity boils down to two things. First, your sex (anatomy and physiology),…

https://peppermintmag.com/sewing-school/fern-pleated-pants/ Pants with Pleats and Pockets? Please! Prepare to strut your stuff, friends: the fabulous Fern Pleated Pants are here, ready to become your favourite tailored-yet-comfy dream duds! Bringing some big pleat energy, these wide-leg beauties are style personified. Slanted front pockets add interest and shape, with the double darts on the back ensuring a great fit across the hip. With only four pattern pieces, the Fern Pleated Pants promises straightforward construction with big impact, perfect for advanced-beginner sewists and intermediate sewists alike. We’re so grateful to our sewing partners, Indy Bindy and SOHMO, for helping make this pattern happen! Indy Bindy is an online fabric store showcasing a bounty of indie Japanese fabric designers. Curated by fabric and sewing lover, Aims Watts, Indy Bindy invites you into the wonderful…

All writers published in this issue’s Letterbox will receive a $50 voucher from Journey of Something! Founders Nicola and Lauren share a passion for good design, art, and board games, and were tired of daggy puzzles. Hence, Journey of Something was born with the aim of breathing new life into the humble jigsaw! Dedicated to artful ways to play, their range has now expanded to games, art kits, stationery and more – think colour-your-own affirmation cards, crochet and pottery kits, and 90s trivia games. Each of their eye-catching puzzles and playthings are designed to relax your mind, beautify your space and highlight the works of emerging and established artists. journeyofsomething.com In this fracturing world it makes my heart sing to see you and others of like minds bringing more than…

Jes – tell us about Dangerous Females! Dangerous Females started in 2018 to take action against gender-based violence and support women, gender diverse people and families in our communities. We design strong statement tees with empowering messages that are in your face and unapologetically feminist, and donate 100% of the profits to frontline domestic and family violence services. What began on a play date has grown into a movement – raising significant funds, spreading harm prevention information and connecting people who want to make a difference. What’s been the impact? We have donated nearly half a million dollars to services, shelters, legal services, and crisis centres across Australia, but the impact goes far beyond money. Our tees and events encourage conversations, raise awareness, break taboos and give people an easy,…

Pay attention to the whispers before they turn into screams – because knowing almost always begins with a quiet, uncomfortable nudge. I’ve burnt my career to the ground. Twice. Which, let’s be honest, is peak creative behaviour. The first time, it was the music industry. A hit song. A record deal. The kind of success I’d spent my whole life chasing. And when I arrived, I was miserable. Trekking up the mountain was infinitely more fun than being at the freezing summit. I was surrounded by people who made me feel like I was lucky to be there: like I was only valuable as long as I smiled, sang, and stayed small. And when things started to get hard – when I needed to fight to stay – I didn’t.…

I feel a very strong sense of personal responsibility to use my work and my platform for good. To start, can you tell us a bit about your ‘You Belong Here’ artwork that we’re lucky to have on our cover? We are in unprecedented times in the United States, at least in terms of having a government who openly and unabashedly disparages, rejects and causes harm to trans folks and other marginalised groups, including immigrants. So earlier this year, my team and I were talking about what we could do and we decided I should make a piece of art that included the words ‘You Belong Here’ that people could hang in their homes, and this piece was born. We ended up making it into yard signs and flags also.…

Sustainability is centuries old and lives on through so many families and Indigenous cultures. Sharing, borrowing and upcycling is just part of the DNA of communities of colour. Tell us how you became a sustainable fashion stylist! My sustainable fashion journey started with secondhand and preloved. When I started out as a stylist back in 2008, there weren’t many avenues or pathways for sustainable stylists. I styled a fashion editorial at a fashion college I was attending at the time, using all vintage and op-shopped pieces, and it was printed in our college magazine. My dream was to be an editorial stylist that only used vintage and preloved pieces to tell visual stories, so I started submitting these editorials to mainstream magazines. But they weren’t accepted as there wasn’t anything…

When you buy from an Aboriginal business, you’re not just purchasing a product: you’re supporting culture, community, and self-determination. But with more businesses using Aboriginal branding, it’s important to take a moment to check who’s really behind the name. A good place to start is the About Us section on a brand’s website. You should be able to see the full names of the owners, who their mob is, and where they’re based. Look for a photo and a short bio or even an introductory video, this will help you connect with the people and stories behind the business. Just like meeting someone face-to-face, transparency builds trust and authenticity. And remember: don’t judge by the colour of someone’s skin. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people come in all shades. What…

https://www.instagram.com/carlosbob/?hl=en “Interestingly, now that I’ve had surgery, people ask about my pronouns more often. I don’t know what my pronouns are, and suspect I never will. The relationship I have with my own gender expression is constantly evolving. I know myself very well – I always have – and I am in a constant state of transformation. It’s a beautiful thing to experience, but I acknowledge how confusing that can be to some people. At a very young age, I told friends and family that I had crushes on people “regardless of gender” – years before I began to understand what the word ‘gender’ might mean. In my early 20s, I began exploring gender expression in my art practice. I’ve been dedicated to painting queer and allied people ever since,…

Scissors snipping, fabric rustling, the squeak-snick sound of thread pulled tight… All set against a backdrop of birdsong and the faraway tinkling of an ice-cream truck. I’m watching a video of Cat Rabbit conjuring up a small dungaree-wearing felt bear and wondering, is craft ASMR a thing? If not, it should be – the sense of mellow delight caused by this short audiovisual encounter is (almost) better than an afternoon nap. “Oh, that video!” says Cat with a laugh when quizzed about it. It’s part of a series of short films videographer Mark Newbound made in collaboration with Craft Victoria and the City of Melbourne. “He is such an amazing observer,” she says. “It made me see my practice in a whole new light. It is a peaceful and meditative…