Smart Cookie: Rachael Louise, Founder of Wombat Fern Jewellery

1)      Could you tell us a little about yourself and what’s your business about?

My names Rachael and I am the creator of Wombat Fern Jewellery. My business stemmed from wanting to express my creative passions and love for wearable art. I have always loved jewellery, eco-friendly businesses, nature, and sustainability, so I decided it was time to combine these values to create my little jewellery label.

I grew up in a very outdoorsy and creative environment with a family of artists, so to pursue my own artistic ideas with a focus on sustainability allowed me to love bringing Wombat Fern Jewellery to life. My focus has always been on sustainability from the source to the packaging, and to create organically handmade jewellery that my customers can cherish.

2)      Do you have a morning routine? If so, what is it you do to set yourself up for the day ahead?

My morning routine often begins with a coffee and some eggs on toast from my chickens. I’ll often go straight to jewellery making, studying for my wildlife conservation degree, or to work at my favourite little local homewares store. Life has been super busy but I find that making jewellery in the morning with a nice coffee is a source of relaxation and something I truly love. Otherwise I’d be sleeping in because I love some good sleep haha!

3)      Why did you choose to go sustainable and eco-friendly?

Sustainability has always been a natural thing for me as I live in an eco-conscious community and study sustainability & conservation at uni. I’ve always loved where I live, have a passion for wildlife, and energise myself by being in the bush or by the Yarra. With a love for these things, protecting it is integral with my little business.

With a sister who handmakes her own clothes, I use her fabric off-cuts to wrap my products, and then use post-consumer recycled + recyclable filling, paper & cardboard for packaging. All silver and gold used is post-consumer recycled from a local supplier, and all gemstones are locally & consciously sourced where I aim to form relationships with my suppliers who are often running small businesses themselves! I am constantly aiming to further the environmental-friendliness of my business, and its something that will always come first for me.

4)      What was the hardest part of starting your own business?

Pricing my items! As a student I’m always looking for what’s affordable and often feel guilty for pricing above what I’d be comfortable with. Its been a huge challenge to put this mindset aside and try to value my craft based on the work I’ve put in, the price of high-quality materials and the time I put aside for it. That being said; I still want my prices to be attainable for anyone who wants to buy from me. I’m also terrible at maths so calculating costs is a bit tricky but I’m working on it.

5)      One book and/or documentary everyone should read/watch? Why?

For the past year, I’ve been slowly reading through Dark Emu by Bruce Pascoe. It has been a life-changing book and has opened my eyes to the immensity and depth of indigenous culture in our land and how we’ve impacted it but also remained so clueless about what it was like. It has helped me to admire and love this land so much more and the peoples who were here first and knew it at a spiritual level.

6)      Best piece of advice you have ever received?

As my life has been pretty fast-paced and busy lately, the most simple but valuable advice I’ve received has been to just be still and relax. I spend so much time working hard and juggling life, but to spend some time reflecting, reading, praying and being with nature is something I truly need to stay energised and see the bigger picture. Relaxing allows me to put my best foot forward.