The HandMakers Store

07/10/2026

We’re a drop off point for donations to the Manna Gum Community House Christmas Hamper drive. Deliver unwrapped gifts to us during opening hours - Thursday to Monday, 10am-3pm.

Simply drop off donations at any of the locations listed below before 2nd December 2026.

Volunteers from Vinnies and Manna Gum Community House will collect the donations and distribute accordingly around our local Gippsland area.

Please do not wrap donations.

Manna Gum Community House - Mon-Fri 10am-3pm
Bendigo Bank Toora Branch - Mon-Fri 10am-3pm
Bendigo Bank Foster Branch - Mon-Thur 9:30am-4pm Fri 9.30am–5pm
Paragreen Real Estate Foster – Mon-Fri 9am-5pm Sat 9am-12pm
Welshpool RTC – Mon, Wed-Fri 10am-3pm
Foster Primary School – Mon-Fri 8.30am-3.30pm
Fish Creek – Thurs-Mon 10am-3pm
Tooradeli Toora– Wed-Sun 9am-3pm
Anglican Church Foster – 9-3 Everyday

15/09/2026

This Saturday 19th September, the Koorooman Wool Group is hosting a Spin in/Weave in at the Bena Hall from 10-3.
It happens to be World Wide Spin in Public Day! 🐑 🧶
RSVP to Belinda or Penny (see the flyer).

11/09/2026

Do you knit in public? I do and I usually have some form of knitting close by just in case. I’ve knitted in conferences, meetings and definitely at social gatherings.
I reckon if I was a politician knitting would be what kept me sane.
Labor frontbencher Dr Anne Aly is well known for her crocheting but I don’t think she crochets in parliament.

I’m sure if any female politicians tried they’d get judged poorly, but that’s the patriarchy. If it was male politicians it would probably be fine.
Cx

Labour MP Deborah Russell’s knitting caused a stir in parliament. But the humble craft has a long history as a tool for protest, solidarity and political change.

👉 https://theconversation.com/needling-for-change-the-surprisingly-political-history-of-knitting-291563?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook =1789105604

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20/06/2026

We’re in the thick of the Alice Springs Beanie Festival and it’s wild!
Yesterday they sold around 4000 beanies 🤯 and they had another 3500 ready to put out today. The queues moved quickly and we’ve been in and had another look at both Beanie central and the competition exhibition. There’s even a tea cosy section 🫖.

15/06/2026

One of our favourite things here at HMS is the humble beanie. It’s an essential item in South Gippsland, and not just in winter.
This week we’ll be closed to attend the Alice Springs Beanie Festival 🎉
It’s their 30th festival and the last in the current format.
It sounds like a bit of a junket (and it is), but there are over 7500 😱 beanies entered so it’s going to be full on.
The HandMakers Store will reopen on Friday 26th June.
If you need anything before we leave you’ve got Tuesday and Wednesday- send a message and we can arrange a time.

30/05/2026

Helen’s yarn mural looking glorious in the Saturday afternoon sun

26/05/2026

After a delightful, wonderful, joyous Fish Creek Tea Cosy Festival we need to have a bit of a rest.
Helen has gone off exploring this week and the rest of us will do the same at various stages over the next 3 months.
From this week our opening days will be Friday - Monday (10-3 at least). There might also be times we need to close on the weekends for special events (😍🧶). So keep your eyes on this page or send a message if you want to check.
If there’s something you need and want to make a time to come in on a day we aren’t open, just send a message and we’ll see what we can organise 🙂

Picture from the glorious teapot bonfire on Saturday night after the lantern parade 😍

17/05/2026

We have had a fun start to the Fish Creek Tea Cosy Festival with a jam packed weekend of workshops including four with Dear Pru as well as Learn to Crochet with Helen.
Thanks to everyone who joined in from near and far - Gayle drove all the way from Birregurra! 😍- and Pru who came from Adelaide especially for the festival.
Special thanks to Larry & Linda from Llarrinda at Foster North who hosted Pru during her stay.

We’re open every day this week from at least 10-3 so call in if you’re visiting the festival. We’ve met some lovely visitors (and admired lots of their vests, jumpers and beanies!).
All the details on the festival- www.teacosyfestival.com.au

16/05/2026

It’s opening day of Fish Creek Tea Cosy Festival and it’s lovely! Call in and see us if you come to town for the festival.

Don't forget to check out the Fish Creek Tea Cosy Festival that is now officially open, running until May 24, with an array of creative tea cosies, workshops, market stalls and other activities. Judge Ambah O'Brien of Phillip Island displays the Exuberant Whimsy and Best in Show winner 'Angler Fish' by Colleen Borchard-Burns.

11/05/2026

🧶 💃
So excited!