Art
What exactly is weaving, I hear you ask? It’s a form of textile production and fibre art where a loom (usually wooden) is used to weave yarn together at right angles to create a fabric or cloth. After doing some research, and sitting down with Rainie Owen aka The Unusual Pear, I am now officially obsessed, and I’m sorry (not sorry) to say, you will be too.
Culture
There’s nothing better than receiving a book recommendation from someone who knows the literary world inside out. When thinking about the must-read titles to devour this summer, we knew we’d be in safe hands with our friends Rosemarie Milsom and Amy Lovat, two of the masterminds behind the annual Newcastle Writers Festival.
Life
If you’re anything like us, you probably feel like you’re crawling your way to the finish line of 2024. The days are getting hotter, the party invites are plentiful and it feels like every second day the kids require money for something at school. We’ll all be taking a few much-needed weeks off soon, and are looking forward to some extra reading, watching and listening time. Here’s what we’ll be consuming over the holidays (along with plenty of good food and wine, no doubt).
Culture
We all want to support our small local businesses this Christmas, but it can be a little overwhelming knowing where to start. We’ve rounded up our top small Newcastle shops to visit for all your gift giving needs this festive season.
Art
Newcastle creatives Linzy Whiteley (Gracie Face) and Melody Suranyi have recently combined their expertise in jewellery design and art to produce a special collection of earrings. We chatted to Linzy and Melody to find out more about their wearable art collab and what else they’ve been up to.
Wellbeing
Skincare can be a mighty confusing world. With so many products to choose from, how can you ensure that what you’re using is right for you? Since founding Skin Juice in 1996, Newcastle’s Jo Dampney has been helping people nourish their skin in the same way that a healthy diet nourishes your body. We chatted with Jo to find out more about her approach.
Wellbeing
Life’s full of tricky decisions, like where to send your kids to school, whether you should quit your job and which flavour to choose at the ice-cream shop (why must they all be so delicious?!). Here’s how to tackle them.
Travel
Nestled at the foothill of the Broken Back Range in the NSW Hunter Valley lies Tinonee Vineyard Estate, a unique luxury accommodation offering cellar door and boutique vineyard. Whether you’re a wine lover or simply looking for a one-of-a-kind destination for your next special milestone, a visit to Tinonee Vineyard Estate (no matter how long you stay) will leave you feeling a million miles away.
Art
Annalisa Lawrence is a Newcastle-based artist who creates under the name Saltwater Woman, using acrylics, resin, and mixed media to depict playful, textured scenes of women and children at the beach. Annalisa describes her largely self-taught style as a purposeful mess, aiming to bring attention to the entire creative process - the imperfections and beauty that unfold along the way.
Culture
There is a quote that says, 'At the beach, life is different. Time doesn't move hour to hour but mood to moment...'. Today, in amongst that moody backdrop there exists a small, concrete space that people have come to rely on. The roller door flings up day after day, and despite nature's best efforts to thwart its idyllic setting, the people still come to… the beach kiosk.
Home
Common Circus are set to celebrate their 10th birthday on October 19, with a festival inspired fun day at their Hamilton store. Think live music, a petting zoo, face painting, coffee, donuts and an art exhibit featuring some of Newcastle’s favourites. We chatted to owner Lauren Henry about this exciting milestone.
Wellbeing
Maggie Miller is on a mission. Affectionately known as The Juice Lady, this dynamic and hard-working Newcastle mum has turned her home-made cold pressed vegetable and fruit juices into her life’s work and hopes to transform the health of those in need, one bottle of goodness at a time.
Art
For Jacinta Fintan, owner of public art agency The Wall Station, murals represent more than just the visual impact they have on a landscape. They can bring meaning to a space and connect people through art. Jacinta talks to Swell about the role of street art in communities, along with Newcastle’s new graffiti removal program Small Walls, and the pivotal part local artists will play.
Culture
Get ready to paint the town rainbow as Newcastle’s annual pride festival rolls around again this October. Swell gets the lowdown on the truly fabulous events you can expect this year.
People
There is a good chance Michaela Werner was in fact a mermaid in a previous life. The New Lambton professional freediver and mum of three, recently added Guinness World Record holder to her list of impressive breath-holding accomplishments but for Michaela, freediving isn’t just about reaching greater depths in the water, it’s about deep diving into life’s endless potential.
