Jewellery Kits and Puzzles: Isolation Purchases To Keep You Company At Home
Image via Hattie Malloy
If you told me a few months ago that puzzles, Animal Crossing and banana bread were the things that would skyrocket to obscene popularity in 2020, I probably wouldn’t have believed you. It sounds eerily similar to how I used to spend my primary school holidays.
Yet, here we are. In a strange turn of events, many of us have had to re-evaluate how we spend our time, and our money. And even as restrictions gently begin to ease across Australia the need to occupy ourselves at home still remains.
So if you have the means to support small business, and you’ve already burned through a catalogue of Netflix recommendations or completed enough socially distanced walks, we’ve sourced some worthwhile purchases for your next isolation activity.
Insieme Bracelet Kit from BALYCK JEWLLERY - $60.00
Sydney brand Balyck has released at home jewellery kits in the hopes of keeping idle hands busy during isolation. The Insieme Kits come with two sets worth of beads and dainty good luck charms, with enough to make a bracelet for you and one for a friend. Designer Jessica Balyck explained the inspiration behind the kits, saying “in these unprecedented times I thought it would be healing to create something for you all to share with one another and do the same process at home yourself.”
@balyckjewellery
Jigsaw Puzzle from Hattie Malloy - $84.00
I’m still not sure if I’ve reached the point of boredom in isolation where I’ve turned to puzzles, but if I was going to invest hours into doing one, this would be it. The Melbourne-based florist has created a 500-piece puzzle that also serves as a stunning piece of art, featuring imagery of her lush floral arrangements. And, its double sided – it doesn’t get much better.
Cuticle Oil Pen from Mannequin Hands - $18.00
Nail-artist extraordinaire Victoria Houllis recently shared some of her expertise with us to keep your hands happy while in isolation, and one included keeping them moisturized. I’ve been following her IGTV tutorials and giving some at-home nail art a go (and loving it) and the perfect thing to complete the salon experience is her cuticle oil pens.
@mannequin.hands
Flex Mami’s Reflex Game from Flex Factory - $29.95
All this newfound free time also provides ample opportunity for some introspection. But instead of letting your mind wander aimlessly, why not prompt it with Flex’s self-development and critical thinking card game. With 46 cards tackling topics on life, love, death, politics, career and more, you can play it alone with your thoughts or on your next socially distanced hang out.
@flexfactory.store
At Home-Clay Kit from Ceramiques - $65.00
Melbourne ceramic studio Céramiques is helping people use their time at home to create with an at-home clay and tool kit. What better time to pick up a new hobby? You’ll receive ten kilos of hand-building clay and all the tools you’ll need to work it from home. They have also started a “clay time” Instagram account with tutorials on how to build from home.
@ceramiques.elsternwick
Long Puffer Robe from Suku Home - $350.00
This last one is less of an activity and more about feeling like your wrapped in a warm, colourful cloud. Designer Christine Lafian and her brand Suku Home have garnered a reputation for it’s luxury sleepwear and bedding, but this puffer-robe hybrid from the new collection ‘Night, Night’ is the next logical level to loungewear in a COVID-19 world. It’s like a fashionable doona for your body and it’s the only thing I’d want to be quarantined in.