Introducing Liz from Lil Bit Better. Where every item is organic and handmade!! From her home in Nunawading, East of Melbourne, Liz uses natural ingredients to hand make home and cleaning products.
Find out why Liz started creating and why she is so passionate about the value of handmade.
Tell us about your creations and your handmade process.
My day usually starts with kitty cuddles, coffee, socials and admin etc, but from 11am the factory is open!
Take the toilet cleaning tablets for example. I'll haul in a 25kg bag of bicarb and other materials, then mix batches by hand and then press into individual molds where they are left to dry for 30 mins before unmolding and setting to cure for 12 hours on a tower of drying racks.
After this they are then carefully packed into the hand labelled, home compostable pouches and heat sealed before sending out. I can make approx 40 bags per day and every second day is dedicated to making this one product - my best selling product! With almost a million tablets made in 9 years I can almost make them in my sleep.
All liquids are made in batches of 5L but I usually make around 40L of whatever product I'm making. I then use my trusty bottle filler or in the case of the thicker liquids such as the Cream Cleaner and Gardeners Soap, which need to be filled by hand using a good old funnel! See - I told you it was handmade!
Products can take anywhere from a day to 2 days to make, cure and pack. I not only make the products but also label/package, ship, market you name it, it's me, myself and I.
I also believe packaging is paramount and all my packaging is either home compostable, recyclable or made from 100% post consumer waste. Even the labels are printed with vegetable inks from a low emission, solar operated printer - every aspect has been researched and thought about.
I vet all my suppliers and ensure they are accredited with legitimate certifications and ethical practices, buying from other small, Aussie businesses where I can as well as supporting communities and charities.
Tell us a bit about your journey to becoming a handmade artist.
It was a crisp, sunny morning when my husband and I embarked on our journey as beekeepers. It was a decision that would forever change our lives and open our eyes to the wonders of nature.
Settling in our weekender down on Phillip Island, here in Victoria, we began our first hives, unaware of the profound impact these tiny creatures would have on our lives.
As we delved deeper into the world of beekeeping, we quickly realized the important role bees play in sustaining our food chain and ecosystem. Their tireless efforts to pollinate plants and crops are the very reason we have an abundance of fruits, vegetables, and flowers.
We felt a sense of responsibility to protect and nurture these incredible little creatures who contribute so much to our world.
Coincidentally, around the same time, I found myself growing disenchanted with my corporate job. The endless cycle of dealing with big egos and the soul-crushing monotony of work that I didn't love had taken its toll on me. It was time for a change, a shift towards something that truly resonated with my passions.
With the unwavering support of my husband, I made the bold decision to leave my job.
Drawing on my lifelong fascination with natural remedies and herbalism, I realized that I had the power to make a positive change while helping the environment.
And thus, Lil'Bit was born.
Contrary to popular belief, being eco-friendly doesn't mean we have to make drastic, life-altering changes.
It's the accumulation of small actions that ultimately make a significant impact. Inspired by this realization, my mission at Lil'Bit is to encourage others to make simple changes in their everyday habits and choices.
What is your inspiration or where do you find inspiration?
Nature. Looking after her is paramount to all of us and I need to live my life knowing I have done what I can to protect her and tried to help others do the same.
Where did you learn your craft?
My mum and I always dabbled in Aromatherapy and natural remedies. I started playing with cleaning products that incorporated the best properties of organic essential oils to create products that clean but also provide therapeutic benefits = Aromatherapeutic Cleaning.
Why is handmade artistry so important to you?
Not only are ingredients and materials usually far more superior but the artisans and creators are not profit based, they are passion based. They care about what they do and how they do it - there is a part of us in everything we make. Small businesses support other small businesses and in turn we connect with each other and help each others families thrive - it's a far more intimate and 'real' transaction than going into a soulless, meaningless store simply to buy. There are roots here.
Liz is a much loved member of the Madeit Collective, posting regularly in our Facebook Group ~ The Ultimate Artisan Gift Destination ~ and sharing her new creations as they are released. If you haven't connected with Lil Bit Better already, make sure you join our FB Group and say hi!
