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Meet the makers: Avenel Market

Groovy Greys: Samantha Osbourne works full-time at Puckpunyal but still spends about 30 hours a week running her business from home, making 20 to 30 coats a week. She started out about three years ago making coats for her two greyhounds and her customer base grew from work and Facebook. As the name suggests, Groovy Greys specialises in greyhound and whippet coats, but there is something for every pup. To Samatha, the highlight of the job is seeing pictures of dogs in their new coats.

Every second Sunday of the month, local makers, bakers and creators get together to share their wares with the local community. The Telegraph met a few local stallholders on Sunday to find out about their businesses.

Cafe 96 Bulk Foods: While the business has been running for close to two years, owner Freya Grant has been attending the markets for about four months now. She is passionate about building a sense of community, fighting food waste and only using what you need. “It creates opportunities for chatting and conversation which I love,” she said. “I just like that it gives us an opportunity to teach people on the little changes we can make to help our environment.” Freya can help with recipes and ideas for those curious or new to bulk foods. She recommends the chocolate macadamia nuts as a must-try.
Emily Pearl Designs: Emily Pearl Frankin’s business started about four years ago but she got serious about selling stylish handmade goods for young mums two years ago. It’s a family business — Emily’s sister makes jewellery with crystals, while her mum makes earrings. Emily’s favourite aspect of the business is the sewing. She is forever finding new inspiration and making new things. Emily Pearl Designs is searchable on Facebook and Instagram.
Beatrice’s Honey: Tim Claridge has been a beekeeper for six years. He and his wife, Jeanie, have hives in Victoria and NSW, making Beatrice’s Honey a multi-flora honey from a number of different trees. Their farm is between Murchison and Nagambie and their honey is available at Nagambie and Heathcote IGA supermarkets and Cafe 96 in Seymour.
Carol’s Country Kitchen: Rob Pedersen’s partner Carol started the business about 30 years ago. She makes an array of delicious home-style sweets like biscuits and nut loaves, as well as many sauces and preserves. “She’s got a licenced kitchen out the back of the house,” Rob said.
Mrs. Politenberry’s Pottery: Alice Mcivor’s pottery business is the namesake of the most polite sheep she ever owned. The Longwood East resident makes the wares in her shed and belongs to a Benalla-based pottery group. The functional pottery is fired to 1300 degrees centigrade. “The speciality of it is they are all oven-proof stoneware, so they can all go in the microwave, oven and dishwasher,” Alice said. Alice has been creating and selling her works for about four years.