I have a little confession to make. Every time I travel back to the States, I set aside at least two hours for a Target shopping spree. It’s my guilty pleasure—my fast-fashion indulgence. But here’s the thing: I wear those pieces to death. What might be considered “fast fashion” for one person becomes a long-term wardrobe staple for me. Those black cotton dresses? That auburn, flowy skirt? Yep, all from Target.
But lately, I’ve been grappling with a hard truth. Like so many others, I’ve become increasingly aware of the environmental and ethical impact of fast fashion—both in clothing and homewares. Even if I’m wearing these pieces until they literally have holes in them (which, trust me, I am), they were almost certainly produced in factories that don’t align with my standards for humane and sustainable manufacturing.
This awareness has deepened since I started sourcing products for Wovenwood. I hear from customers all the time about how they wish they had access to US Target’s home collections—Studio McGee for Threshold, Magnolia for Hearth & Hand, Nate Berkus, and so on. And I get it. It would be easier and definitely cheaper to create the look they’re after. But at what cost?
Most of us can agree that our planet is facing serious challenges. I’m not here to pretend I’m living the perfect green life—far from it. My weekly grocery run still includes more plastic packaging than I care to admit. But I do recognise that, both as a shop owner and a consumer, I have choices. I can choose to support brands and artisans that prioritise humanity, equity, and sustainability in the global supply chain.
So here’s my challenge to you: in an effort to be part of the solution, let's leave “NOW” behind and embrace “SLOW” when it comes to design decisions.
I recently listened to a podcast where the host shared a simple but brilliant approach to shopping. If he’s in a store and sees something he really wants, he leaves. Just walks out. Then, after a few days, if he still truly wants the item, he goes back for it. My husband laughed when I told him about this, but honestly? I think it’s genius. It forces us to think about our purchases instead of giving in to impulse.
That concept really stuck with me. How often do we buy things simply because they’re convenient or trendy? How many of those things actually bring us long-term joy? If we all practiced a little more patience and mindfulness in our shopping habits, we’d not only waste less but also surround ourselves with things that truly resonate with us.
When customers visit Wovenwood in person, I often say, “You know where to find me.” What I mean is that I’ll be here. Wovenwood will be here. Our carefully curated pieces will be here when—and if—you decide they’re right for you.
Now, don’t get me wrong—I’m in the business of selling. I need to sell in order to sustain this shop. But I’m not interested in selling you something you don’t absolutely love. That doesn’t serve me, my business, or my customers. I want you to be so in love with your Wovenwood purchase that you can’t wait to come back. I want you to feel that every piece has been thoughtfully chosen; in many cases it's been handcrafted by an artisan skilled in their craft; and by the time you bring it home, it should feel like it was made just for you.
That kind of love takes time. It shifts us from impulse buys at big-box stores to a slower, more intentional approach—where every piece is a favourite piece because it took time to find, and let’s be honest, maybe even time to save for. That waiting period, that moment of reflection before making a purchase, often leads to deeper appreciation for the things we choose to bring into our lives.
And that applies to more than just homewares. It applies to our wardrobes, our kitchen tools, our furniture, even the gifts we buy for others. When we stop buying for the sake of buying and start purchasing with intention, we start creating spaces that feel more personal and unique. We stop filling our homes with mass-produced items that lack soul and instead start collecting pieces with meaning.
So, where does that leave me and my Target shopping habit? Well, as many of you know, I was just back in the States, and I’m happy to report that while I did step into a Target, this time I consciously limited my purchases to American snacks and treats for my kids. The fast fashion stayed on the racks.
Will I never buy fast fashion again? I can’t promise that. But I can promise to think harder about every purchase I make, to ask myself if I truly love it, if I’ll wear it for years, and if it aligns with the kind of consumer I want to be.
Small steps, people. Small steps. And those small steps? They add up.
Explore a few of my favourite artisan-made pieces in stock now! Hand-crafted with love and sustainability at their core.
Lena Ceramic Serving Bowl
$120.00
Beautifully handcrafted from sand-coloured, slightly textured Australian stoneware clay, the Lena Ceramic Serving Platter is perfect for serving beautiful large salads, roast dinners & shared dishes in the centre of your dinner table. Each piece is shaped and glazed entirely… read more
Woven Wood Salad Servers
$43.00
These hand-crafted serving spoons are both modern and timeless. Masterfully crafted, they combine beautifully grained mango wood with the rich texture of rattan. Each is ethically hand-carved from FSC certified wood for a product that honours both people and the… read more
Lanna Cushion - Stripe
$250.00
The Striped Lanna Cushion is a Wovenwood exclusive designed in house and lovingly created by Hmong women in Northern Thailand. Using traditional methods, each piece is carefully woven on a loom, naturally dyed with locally available flora and softened and… read more
Lanna Cushion - Natural
$195.00
Handwoven by Hmong women in Northern Thailand, the Lanna Cushion is our go-to solid cushion to mix, match, and layer with your favourite stripe and organic textiles. Using traditional methods, each piece is carefully woven on a loom, naturally dyed with… read more
Veta Vera Tulip Basket
$148.00
Handwoven with Veta Vera Grass in the northern Bolga region of Ghana, our Veta Vera Tulip Basket has a beautiful scallop detail that offers a relaxed, coastal look. Use it to store everyday objects or as a chic bin for… read more
Oliver Glass Canister (Med)
$50.00
Beautifully textured glass paired with a hand-carved wooden lid, our Oliver Glass Canisters are the ultimate in stylishly functional home organisation. Perfect for use in the kitchen, laundry or as an apothecary jar, each includes a rubber ring for an… read more
Riviera Striped Hand Towel | Charcoal
$45.00
Each Riviera Hand Towel features natural, un-dyed cotton accented with ribbed lines of delicate colour. Each towel is hand-woven in Ethiopia using time-honoured weaving traditions and AZO-free dyes. Hand-spun Ethiopian cotton adds a uniquely rich texture that will continue to… read more
Fringed Linen Cocktail Napkin - Oyster
$10.00
$15.00
Ethically-crafted and stone washed to perfection, our Fringed Linen Cocktail Napkins are a must for any occasion. Each is carefully handwoven from the finest Belgian flax using traditional wooden looms. Make an elegant impression effortlessly with these easy to care… read more
The Everything Floor Baskets
$200.00
Skilled basket weavers in Ghana weave together twisted strands of tough elephant grass to create our must-have Everything Floor Baskets. Sold in 3 sizes they are incredibly sturdy and the most versatile storage solution you can have in your home. … read more
