About

I started selling my various crafts under the name Whimsy 9 years ago as a way to stay sane whilst raising my 4 year old son Liam. It has taken many forms over the years - in my garage, online, in Mosgiel, in my shed and now finally in a Central City shop.

I aspire to bring an alternative to the big impersonal super stores which are not transparent with their supply chains and their overuse of plastic and greenwashing tactics. Rant over.

Mission

To provide a friendly welcoming shop that is full of inspiration, colour, and natural materials. To strive to be planet friendly by promoting the values of reducing, reusing, and recycling.

Vision

All the products hold at least one of these ethical values:

Ethical source - sourced from businesses that are transparent with their efforts towards sustainability

Hand Made - low carbon footprint

Fair Trade - providing communities worldwide with fair pay and working conditions

Zero Waste - keeping my use of plastic to an absolute minimum. Promoting retro furniture and other preloved items as a substitute for new.

Upcycled/Recycled - Whimsy has always had a focus on creating products that repurpose existing resources.

Organic - organic cotton, recycled cotton and other natural materials. Dead stock fabric, vintage fabric and repurposed materials are used over new fabric.

Locally Made - supporting local small business and women-led businesses throughout New Zealand.

Empowering Women - supporting women-owned business as women are underrepresented in business.

I curate the shop to showcase products that are kinder on the planet. I look on websites that feature a Modern Slave Policy, a Sustainability Policy, the Artisans/Makers are paid a fair living wage, and the materials used are biodegradable, recycled, or reused. I also look for plastic free packaging in shipping, and have the majority of Stockists in New Zealand to minimise the cost of freight (both financially and environmentally).

Wattle and Loop (Kylie in Melbourne) Slow Stitch Kits with Vintage Fabrics

Firefly Notes (Sandy in Canada) Handcrafted Notions Tins

Ecovask (Viv in Takapuna) Organic Cotton Dishcloths

The Fashion Booth (Elaine in Roxburgh) 100% NZ Wool Cushion Inners

Bennetto Natural Foods Co (Christchurch) Organic Fairtrade Chocolate

Anoint Skincare (Tauranga) Plastic Free. Palm Oil Free. Cruelty Free.

Fair + Square Soaps(Carly in Northland) Luxury Artisan Soaps

The Wool Pot (Polly in Christchurch) NZ Wool Planter

Aurora Lily (Amanda in Wellington) Zero Waste Leather Bags

Exquisite Wool Traders (Polly in Christchurch) 100% NZ Wool Throws

Hexton Bee Company (Martin and Sally in Gisborne) Beeswax Candles

Trade Aid (Christchurch) Baskets, Rugs, Cushions

Cocoknits (U.S) Craft Accessories

Danica Studios (Canada) 100% Coir Doormats

Mood (Auckland) Magnetic Picture Rails