Our Vibrant Summer Issue is Bursting With Stories of Creativity and Connection
- Words by Peppermint
Many of us find solace in making, whether music, artwork, garments or a garden. Art has always been therapeutic for Holly Neilson of Paper Hands; losing herself in playful, dreamlike watercolours allows her to process emotions and find peace in moments of stress. “The act of painting gives me space to explore my inner landscape when words sometimes cannot,” she says. “I am lucky that art has always been a safe space for me to be me, without any worry of judgement.
For our cover artist, Jess Bird, making was a means to escape a chaotic home life in childhood. Later, while drowning in depression, it became a way to forge connections and discover if others felt the same. Referring to painting as her “emotional homework,” Jess believes art helps us better understand ourselves and others, which is healing.
The Happy Hookers research paper mentioned in our crochet feature backs up what we already suspected about slow crafts and wellbeing: findings from this international study report that crocheting made respondents feel calmer (89%) and happier (82%). Co-author Dr Pippa Burns notes the hobby’s low cost and portability, which makes it something most people can try. “The potential impact is huge,” she says.
This got me thinking about my own hands-on hobbies, and while they are plentiful – and not always practical – the ones that stick are those I can take anywhere: the pencils and notepad, the embroidery hoop, the colouring book. So, whether or not you have a sewing machine, you can be a maker with very little means. Start with something you can throw in your beach bag – along with your copy of our summer issue, of course, where there’s no shortage of ideas for your next project.
Sam (Peppermint Editor) x
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Take a peek inside the issue!
In the pages of this colourful companion you’ll discover the gorgeous work of our cover artist, Jess Bird (of Bless The Messy), see the dreamy garden studio of Holly Neilson (of Paper Hands), and learn to op-shop like a pro with thrifty tips from circular fashion stylist Jo Gambale.
Our sewing coordinator, Laura, discovers the joys of intergenerational learning and shares a fun and versatile Posy Patch Pocket DIY. We go “behind the seams” with Kip&Co and also explore the stunning work of the Yarrenyty Arltere Artists. Plus, sustainability advocate and entrepreneur Lottie Dalziel from Banish shows us how she turns plastic waste into pretty and practical products.
We all look for the ‘great’ people to rise, when it’s often just everyday individuals that have the courage to stand up and do something.
LOTTIE DALZIEL
We check in with the cool kids of crochet, discover Noosa’s eco cred and delve into the perils of polyester.
And, of course, this also means our gorgeous new pattern has landed – introducing the Peppermint Pasadena Rara Skirt! With three fabulous tiers, this midi-length skirt is all drama. Wear it with a floaty, feminine vibe or an edgy energy – the Pasadena Rara Skirt gives you the freedom to express yourself. This pattern comes free with Issue 62!
This issue is a little ray of hope in an often messy world. Remember to be gentle with yourself and others – we’re all doing the best we can. To get your copy, swing by our online shop or your closest stockist.
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Look, I don’t want to make anyone panic but IT’S DECEMBER!!! If you’re planning to give homemade gifts, you’re going to have to act fast. …
Hang out with us on Instagram
🌻 The Paddington 🌻
This is a much-loved staple, created for Issue 50 in 2021. We love seeing the #PeppermintPaddingtonTop continually popping up in our feeds!
How stunning is our model Elon MelaninGoddessEfon – she told us it was one of the first times she had been asked to come to a shoot with her natural hair. 🌻
We worked with South African patternmaker Sarah Steenkamp of @FrenchNavyNow_ to create this wardrobe essential – the perfect puff-sleeve blouse. Raglan sleeves make it the ultimate beginner sew, plus the gorgeous back buttons let you add your own personal twist.
Pattern via the link in bio! 🪡
Photos: @KelleySheenan
Fabric: @Spoonflower
Model: MelaninGoddessEfon
“In the 1940’s, Norwegians made and wore red pointed hats with a tassel as a form of visual protest against Nazi occupation of their country. Within two years, the Nazis made these protest hats illegal and punishable by law to wear, make, or distribute. As purveyors of traditional craft, we felt it appropriate to revisit this design.”
Crafters have often been at the heart of many protest movements, often serving as a powerful means of political expression. @NeedleAndSkein, a yarn store in Minnesota, are helping to mobilise the craftivists of the world with a ‘Melt The Ice’ knitting pattern created by @Yarn_Cult (with a crochet pattern too), as a way of peaceful protest.
The proceeds from the $5 pattern will go to local immigrant aid organisations – or you can donate without buying the pattern.
Raise those needles, folks – art and craft can change the world. 🧶
Link in bio for the pattern.
Images: @Gather_Fiber @NeedleAndSkein @a2ina2 @KyraGiggles Sandi.204 @WhatTracyMakes AllieKnitsAway Auntabwi2
#MeltTheIce #Craftivism #Knitting #CraftForChange
TWO WEEKS TO GO! 🤩
"The most important shift is moving from volume-led buying to value-led curation – choosing fewer, better products with strong ethics, considered production and meaningful stories. Retailers have real influence here: what you buy signals what you stand for. At Life Instyle, this means using the event to discover and invest in small-scale, planet-considerate brands that align with your values and your customer’s conscience. Consumers don’t need more things; they need better things, and retailers play a key role in selecting, contextualising, and championing why those products matter."
Only two more weeks until @Life_Instyle – Australia`s leading boutique retail trade show. If you own a store, don`t miss this event! Connect with designers, source exquisite – and mindful – products, and see firsthand why this is Australia’s go-to trade show for creatives and retailers alike. And it`s free! ✨️
Life Instyle – Sydney/Eora Country
14-17 February 2026
ICC, Darling Harbour
Photos: @Samsette
#LifeInstyle #SustainableShopping #SustainableShop #RetailTradeEvent
Calling all sewists! 📞
Have you made the Peppermint Waratah Wrap Dress yet? Call *1800 I NEED THIS NOW to get making!
This gorgeous green number was modelled (and made) by the fabulous Lisa of @Tricky.Pockets 🙌🏼
If you need a nudge, @ePrintOnline are offering Peppermint sewists a huge 🌟 30% off ALL A0 printing 🌟 when you purchase the Special Release Waratah Wrap Dress pattern – how generous is that?!
Head to the link in bio now 📞
*Not a real number in case that wasn`t clear 😂
#PeppermintWaratahWrapDress #PeppermintPatterns #SewingPattern #WrapDress #WrapDressPattern
8 Things to Know About January 26 - from @ClothingTheGaps:
Before you celebrate, take the time to learn the truth. January 26 is not a day of unity it’s a Day of Mourning and Survival for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
It marks the beginning of invasion, dispossession, and ongoing colonial violence. It’s time for truth-telling, not whitewashed history.
Stand in solidarity. Learn. Reflect. Act.
✊🏽 Blog written by Yorta Yorta woman Taneshia Atkinson.
🔗 Link in bio of @ClothingTheGaps to read the full blog
#ChangeTheDate #InvasionDay #SurvivalDay #AlwaysWasAlwaysWillBe #ClothingTheGaps
As the world careens towards AI seeping into our feeds, finds and even friend-zones, it`s becoming increasingly hard to ignore.
We just wanted to say that here at Peppermint, we are choosing to not print or publish AI-generated art, photos, words, videos or content.
Merriam-Webster’s human editors chose `slop` as the 2025 Word of the Year – they define it as “digital content of low quality that is produced usually in quantity by means of artificial intelligence.” The problem is, as AI increases in quality, it`s becoming more and more difficult to ascertain what`s real and what`s not.
Let`s be clear here, AI absolutely has its place in science, in climate modelling, in medical breakthroughs, in many places... but not in replacing the work of artists, writers and creatives.
Can we guarantee that everything we publish is AI-free? Honestly, not really. We know we are not using it to create content, but we are also relying on the artists, makers and contributors we work with, as well as our advertisers, to supply imagery, artwork or words created by humans. AI features are also creeping into programs and apps too, making it difficult to navigate. But we will do our best to avoid it and make a stand for the artists and creatives who have had their work stolen and used to train AI machines, and those who are now losing work as they are replaced by this energy-sapping, environment-destroying magic wand.
Could using it help our productivity and bottom line? Sure. And as a small business in a difficult landscape, that`s a hard one to turn down. We know other publishers who use AI to write stories, create recipes, produce photo shoots... but this one is important to us.
`Touch grass` was also a Merriam-Webster Word of the Year. We`ll happily stick with that as a theme, thanks very much. 🌿
