NOVEMBER 2023 NEWS FROM THE MILL CASTLEMAINE
Welcome to the November issue of e-news from The Mill Castlemaine.
This issue is all about planning for the festive season ahead, so we’re looking at all things G!
Meaningful GIFT IDEAS that say a lot about YOU.
You support small businesses, locally made, ethical production and consider environmental impact. There’s no room for mass-produced in your gift-giving repertoire!
GET-TOGETHERS – dazzle your guests when you serve them delicious local food and beverage in your own home, or watch your offering be devoured when you share with others at group gatherings. Perhaps you’re looking for somewhere to celebrate with friends and family during the holiday season, letting someone else do all the work? Options abound at The Mill Castlemaine.
We’ll also let you know about some GOINGS-ON over the next month or so – particularly GIGS.
GIFT IDEAS
With the gifting season around the corner, it’s an opportunity to think local and handmade when you buy. It’s a wonderful way to support local small businesses.
Here are some of the many options available, in no particular order, from businesses at The Mill Castlemaine.
Give the gift of comfort this Christmas with Wonderpants organic cotton underpants, ethically made right here at The Mill Castlemaine. Available in the Castlemaine Vintage Bazaar and on the Wonderpants website.
Use code XMAS23 at checkout online for 10% off during November. Don’t know what style/size/colour to choose? Or left it to the last minute? Gift vouchers are also available.
In other exciting news, Wonderpants is working with a new fabric supplier and has been able to bring back some favourite colours from recent years. Red, Ochre, Mustard, Lilac and Olive (formerly know as Green) are back on the website and ready for the party season. Woohoo!
WOOLLYKINS has been busy making for the upcoming season.
Their new range of Remnant Toddler Pantaloons has just launched. Sewn on site from remnant fabrics from their UMIFORM linen past season collections, the pantaloons are designed and made in Castlemaine for moving and grooving. You can check them out online here.
Also new in the Woollykins Studio is their latest batch of Plant Dyed Shibori organic wool tees and socks. Wearing fine layers of pure merino wool keeps you cool in Summer. Merino wool provides natural UV protection, is breathable, temperature regulating and requires far less washing. The tees are made from GOTS certified organic merino and are hand dyed in Castlemaine at the Woollykins Studio. They are available in sizes from 1-15yrs, with women’s sizes coming soon. Find them online here.
All Woollykins garments can be viewed in our studio at The Mill Castlemaine – open Wednesday to Saturday, and purchased online at woollykins.com.au
How about giving the gift of relaxation and pampering this season?
Mimosa Botanicals range of bath soaks are handcrafted, using nature’s best ingredients.
There’s a special offer for purchasing 3 sachets, so you can share them around or keep some for yourself!
Mimosa Botanicals also has a range of handcrafted cold pressed Farmhouse Soap made with Australian olive oil, organic shea and coconut butters to provide a nourishing cleanse. Scented with pure essential oil blends and coloured with clays and organic botanicals, these make wonderful gifts.
Handpicked Ethical Floristry is once again offering Christmas wreaths, completely handmade from local grape and wisteria vines woven with gorgeous locally grown florals. Stocks are limited so order yours now! And as always, Handpicked will have beautiful hampers of locally grown seasonal flowers, local wines, ethical chocolate, and bath soaks from Mimosa Botanicals.
All available via the online store.
Looking to decorate your business, workplace or home?
Ali is a real wiz who loves decorating.
If you’d like to discuss this service, drop Ali an email at hello@handpickedfloristry.com
The highly anticipated Cabosse & Feve Chocolates Christmas range has been released.
It includes hand decorated trees, hand decorated baubles with coated almonds inside, stars, gingerbread shards, caramel and hazelnut stars, their very popular chocolate salami, and more to come in December.
All products are available online and in store for pickup and delivery only. This is one of their busiest periods of the year, so if you want something in particular, put an order through so they can put it aside for you.
Cabosse & Feve Chocolates also recently launched their (already very popular) hazelnut spread.
They roast and grind the hazelnuts in house, offering either crunchy or smooth finish. Containing over 62% hazelnuts (compared to most supermarket spreads which only contain 13% to 20% hazelnuts), this spread has no palm oil and is part of their vegan range.
A gift voucher from the Castlemaine Vintage Bazaar is the perfect festive gift!
There’s definitely something for everyone.
From hand made gifts, vintage vinyl, not-fast fashion, ships in bottles, Lego, coffee table books, books about coffee tables and everything you’re not looking for – plus a lot of things you are looking for.
Pick up your voucher in store during opening hours.
Open 7 days a week from 10am-5pm, closed Christmas Day only.
Remember to check the art studios on site too, where you’ll find something made with heart, soul and boundless imagination: Artpuff is open Thursday to Sunday from 11am-5pm and The Drying Shed Art Space and Studio MA56 are all open Friday to Monday from 11am-3pm. All are open on public holidays.
GET TOGETHERS
We’re heading into that time of year when workplaces, friends and families come together to celebrate the end of another year – work or otherwise. The Mill Castlemaine has fabulous dine-in hospitality offerings, with Das Kaffeehaus, Shedshaker Brewing Company’s Taproom and Boomtown Winemakers, but if you’re looking for something a little different, you could explore your creative side. There’s much fun (and satisfaction) to be had when you come together socially and create something beautiful and/or useful to take home.
Linda Newton at Studio MA56 runs a range of workshops, including cartooning and drawing, by arrangement. Pop in and see her to tailor something to suit your group, or email her on lnewton1966@gmail.com
Artpuff Studios are running nifty little Handmade Notebook Workshops for small business teams and groups of friends looking for a creative way to celebrate the end of the year break up.
Running on Wednesdays in November & December, there are 1-4pm & 5-8pm sessions.
Cost is $165 per person, and numbers are limited.
To book your workshop, email: info@artpuff.com.au
Your Christmas table will be the talk of the town when you serve Oakwood Smallgoods Aussie free range porchetta or rolled loin pork roast with all the trimmings! Order yours now by phoning 0449 857212, and don’t forget the ham (glazed or not) or the charcuterie to enjoy on platters with your family and friends. As well as the retail outlet at The Mill, you’ve got next month’s Kyneton and Ballarat markets to pick up your Christmas orders, so make your list/ check it twice and don’t miss out!!
BOOM! Check this out!
Renovations are nearing completion on Boomtown Winemakers’ amazing new cellar door space and commercial kitchen, with an anticipated finishing date of around December 1.
They have created a wonderful new entry foyer and are working on the new cellar door. This will extend their service area and create a more intimate space for wine tastings and a more temperature controlled space for weather extremes!
Boomtown welcomes groups of all sizes for their Friday night and Saturday lunch services, with loads of options available for the Christmas party season.
Watch this space (or their space) for more great announcements – including a big New Year’s Eve event!
More events, more parties, more weddings, more fun!
For all bookings head to boomtownwine.com.au/kitchen
All other enquiries to Tom on email: goodtimes@boomtownwine.com.au
GOINGS-ON (including Gigs)
PinPoint of Light Working out of the grid
Bronze sculptures by Jackson MacDonald Paintings by Tony Scott
Now showing at Artpuff Studio, until Sunday 26 November.
Jackson MacDonald,Untitled, 2023, bronze Tony Scott, Grid No. 1, 2022, oil paint on canvas.
Featured
DALICADOS – Fronted by remarkable songsmith and guitarist, lead singer James Lomas is supported by Cal McAlpine on drums and Mark Carson on double bass, with backing vocalists and percussionists, Tracey McAlpine and Fiona Lee Maynard, plus the incomparable Jack Howard on trumpet and assorted brass instruments.
Arrive early, this will be a night to remember!
Tickets $15
Flow
Jane Sawyer & Kir Larwill
Thursday 30 November – Sunday 24 December
at Artpuff Studio
Opening celebration: Friday 1 December, 5 -7pm
Including stockroom of beautiful ceramic tableware by Jane Sawyer. Handmade perfection for giving and celebrating.
Open Thursday to Sunday, and public holidays, 11am to 5pm.
As always, if you are planning a visit – please check our website, as individual businesses keep their own opening hours.
CLICK HERE TO SEE OPENING HOURS
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From all at The Mill Castlemaine
