Handmade is Powerful

Introduction

We live in a world shaped by the cycle of Take – Make – Use – Dispose. It’s a linear system designed for speed, not sustainability — and sadly, it’s still the foundation of how most clothing and textiles are made and consumed.

I came across this phrase while reading a paper titled “Reimagining Circular Fashion: Crafts’ Role in Sustainable Development” by Archana Puri and Dr. Pooja Gaba Adlakha. It struck a chord. It names exactly what many of us are feeling: that fast fashion is overwhelming our wardrobes, our landfills, and our sense of connection to what we wear and use.

The Problem with Fast Fashion

It may surprise you to learn that fashion is the second highest industrial polluter in the world, second only to oil. The global fashion system — particularly fast fashion — consumes vast resources at every stage: from production and shipping to consumption and disposal. The clothes are often made cheaply, from synthetic fibres, and discarded just as quickly.In Australia alone, we generated 860 kilotons of textile, leather, and rubber waste in 2020–2021. That’s nearly the highest per capita textile waste in the world — second only to the USA. Considering our population is only 7.7% of theirs, that’s a confronting statistic.

A Circular Economy and the Role of Handmade

Instead of Take–Make–Waste, the circular economy asks us to design for longevity, to use resources wisely, and to keep materials in circulation for as long as possible. It’s about minimising waste, valuing craftsmanship, and respecting the full lifecycle of a product.This is where handmade, small-batch production fits beautifully.

My Process & Product Values

As both a textile designer and maker, I’ve spent a lot of time questioning my role in this system — and how I can create in a way that reflects my values. My newest range of handmade, reversible bucket bags is a direct result of that inquiry. They’re:-

• Designed and handmade by me, in my Mornington Peninsula studio

• Created with original fabric designed in-house and digitally printed in Melbourne

• Printed using OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 certified inks on 100% organic cotton

• Made in small batches only — I print what I need, when I need it, to reduce waste

• Crafted for functionality and longevity, with quality stitching, thoughtful details like internal zip pockets and key loops, and a fully reversible design for two looks in one

• Packaged and posted with care, by hand — no warehouses or conveyor belts here.

I've also started incorporating deadstock denim and cotton/linen canvas, rescuing quality fabrics from landfill and giving them a second life.

Why Handmade is Powerful

In exploring these choices, I’ve learned that handmade isn’t just a slower, gentler way of making things — it’s a powerful way to resist waste culture, support community knowledge, and create products with lasting value.Handmade doesn't mean second-best. It doesn't mean poorly made or outdated. It means someone — me — has taken the time to think about every detail: the fabric, the form, the function, and the footprint. When you buy handmade, you:

• Support low-impact, small-scale production

• Avoid synthetic fibres and mass-produced waste

• Choose an item made with care, creativity, and accountability

• Help keep traditional skills alive in modern, meaningful ways.

An Invitation

So yes, I had doubts. I worried about waste, about whether I was contributing to the problem rather than the solution. But when I really examined my process, my materials, and my intentions, I saw that what I make aligns beautifully with circular economy values.

I feel proud to put my name and my brand behind these bags. They’re a reflection of everything I care about: original design, conscious making, quality over quantity, and a genuine love of textiles and functionality.

Take a Look

If you’re looking for a handmade, original artist-designed bag that’s as beautiful as it is practical — whether for shopping, yoga, beach trips, or simply because it brings you joy — I’d love for you to take a look at my Reversible Bucket Bags.

They’re made with love, from fabric to finish.

And I think you’ll feel that, too. See for yourself.