Blog
Check out our weekly Blog. New posts every Friday!
5th April 2024
Hey Mob,
School holidays are among us, it’s been a quiet the holiday for me, but others are off to see their family, travelling and visiting their country or other Mobs, gathering inspiration for your new art piece or business, collecting native medicinal plants and grounding yourself, I have few businesses that draw that inspiration from their country and cultural knowledge.
Gunggari Tidda, Liz Clarke lives on Quandamooka Country. With her art she expresses her love for her culture, gifting her art pieces to her Mob and sharing her knowledge by creating commissioned art pieces to businesses, using the colours of animals, land and sea. Aunty Deb Munson was gifted with the knowledge of native medicinal plants by her grandmother, allowing her to share her story and knowledge, going out on country and finding these plants and creating her skin products and aromatherapy oils, and allowing the use of these healing methods to provide health set for Mob. Speaking of health and healing, Clothing The Gaps is a well-known business across the country, creating merch for Mob and Allies, buying these products from this deadly business helps the Clothing The Gaps Foundation to promote a healthy lifestyle for the Indigenous communities across Australia. Dipping her toe in every art medium as possible from acrylics to pyrography, Gamilaroi Tidda Olivia Anderson, shares her knowledge and passion within all styles of her art, using intricate dots are one of the main features in her art on canvas, footy boots and accessories.
That’s all for our Blog this Friday, we hope you're having a deadly holiday. We ask of you to check out website, register to our directory or with only a $30 YEARLY subscription, join Blackademy to see and learn from other Mobs stories. Don’t forget to visit our Shop and grab some BuyingBlack merch and sign up to the Directory!
Yanande’
29th March 2024
Hey Mob,
Earlier in the week I posted a little bio of myself. For those who didn’t see it, I’m Adi Blucher, I am Wulli Wulli, Djakunda Jangerie Jangerie with connections to Wakka Wakka which is the land I currently live on in a small little town called Mundubbera, I was born on Iningai Country, Barcaldine QLD. On the holidays my older brother and I would go back to country to connect with family and country. Even though I was born in Central West Queensland away from my Mob I was adopted into another, the Frazer family from the Bidjara my stepfather Mark took myself, brother and sisters out bush as much as he could, and my brother and I were accepted by his mob as one of their own. My grandparents were also living out at Barcaldine, they told stories of the Old Days which sparked my interests into learning more history and culture of my tribes and family. When I turned 18 I travelled all over my Country working as a Cultural Heritage Officer which I still do, like all First Nations peoples it’s a part of healing and become an aboriginal contemporary artist. I am now a single mother, my two daughters Mara (meaning Lightening in Wulli Wulli) and Milye (pronounced Milly which means Thunder in Wulli Wulli) they both attend Eidsvold State School, where they learn Wakka Wakka language and culture, while I work as an Early Years Educator at the Kindy. It is important to me for myself and especially my daughters to continue our Culture and connect with Mobs, which is why I took on BuyingBlack, to connect with Mob all across Australia.
In saying that, here are a few businesses that I would like to share with you. Indigenous Grapevine is a deadly business that designs clothes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders which celebrates our culture and shares our history. Whitney and Simon are from Yuggera Muthathi Mob, Whitney is a very talented contemporary Aboriginal Artist and Simon an Indigenous Mentor and Community Worker, involvement within the Indigenous community and connecting them to country for healing inspired Simon and Whitney to create Jinndi, which means Nest in Yugambeh, which is the country they reside on. Jinndi sells indigenous storybooks and clothing with indigenous print designed by Whitney and accessories. Nyoka Fetoa’i is a Darumbal Tidda with connections to Ghungalu and Munanjali Mobs, has a wealth of knowledge and 9 years’ experience in a leading community organisation Nyoka Fetoa’i Consultancy which consists of Cultural Safety in a Workplace, Leadership Development, Unconscious Bias Awareness, Policy and Procedure Excellence and much more. If any Mob out their want to share their business or share their story, please register to directory or contact us to share your story on Blackademy. We hope you all have a deadly holiday, Happy Easter you mob!
Yanande’
Adi Blucher
BuyingBlack
22nd March 2024
This is week I’ve been out on Country, seeing the change in types of landscapes, walking along the waterways and coming across scarred trees. It’s one of many ways I connect to country. Connecting to country is what inspires many businesses and implement our culture into our work.
Sisters Shaneika and Kaylah were raised with cultural knowledge and strong traditions in Dirranbandi. Now living on Bigambul and Jarrorwair/Giabal Country, their business Tiddas & Co. has become successful by embracing their culture within their designs. Groote Eylandt still hold strong cultural traditions and ways, as many mobs have suffered from trauma, the Anindilyakwa Women make skin, body and hair products from native botanicals for healing. Starting off as a side hustle, Gammin Threads has become a very successful located in Naarm, Tahnee Edwards from Yorta Yorta and Taungaurung Mobs designs are for mob and allies to showcase our pride in our identity and raise awareness of our struggles. Michael Connolly started off as stall at the Redcliffe markets, now he has become a very well-known family business, selling many indigenous products and art.
If you would like your business promoted by BuyingBlack, sign to our Directory. Don’t forget to check out our Shop and subscribe to Blackademy
Yanande
BuyingBlack
15th March 2024
Hey Mob,
It’s been a crazy week with the BuyingBlack Mob, Clancy, our film editor and myself (Adi), were at a Cultural Mapping and Lithic Identification and Analysis Workshop in the big smoke, learning to help protect significant sites and artefacts and our mob having access to it at all times.
Protecting our Culture is so important to our people. One way to protect our culture is in knowledge and story sharing, which is what inspires all our deadly Blak businesses across the country’s. Here are this weeks businesses that are our knowledge holders and story tellers- Bundjalung Tidda Holly Sanders has become a very well-known artist. Check out her art being collaborated with many businesses, and you might have even bought her fabric prints. New to the business game, Bangerang/Wiradjuri Sis, Jamarnii and her partner, Bangerang warrior Hayden, have been creating loud and proud deadly street wear for the mob. Next, we have Kyralee, who uses art as a way of healing from her generational trauma and to share her story of her family and Dharug/Darkinjung Mob, using calming colours throughout her artwork. Lastly, we have Sonia, Descended from Kooma Mob from the Cunnamulla area and raised on Wiradjuri Country, Sonia followed her dream since childhood and became a jewellery maker. Using traditional aboriginal stories of her people and Country and fusing them with contemporary jewellery she’s become a successful business in the process, you may find her jewellery online or catch her at Meanjin Markets.
BuyingBlack is inspired by our knowledge holders and story tellers, which is why we love to share your story and business and for any mob out there who want to be a part of it, check out Blackademy where we create online videos for all mob to see.
Yanande
8th March 2024
Hey Mob
Today is International Women’s Day! Here at BuyingBlack we love to celebrate the hard work that our Tiddas and Aunties have done, as our culture is Matriarchal. Here are a couple of women that make such amazing role models for our young girls who want to start a business when they are older. Ashley Taylor loves to read, it was her dream to own a bookstore, to share knowledge and stories with everyone and with the help of her Mob, her dreams came true. Ashleys bookstore is called Willow Tree Bookstore and located in Iningai Country, Barcaldine QLD. Another Tidda who has come far in her healing journey is Tara-Rose Gonebale. With the loss of her Grandmother, Tara being a caseworker and social worker knew she needed an outlet to heal. Tara started to paint and now has created a successful business called Marli Marli Creative, which is located west of Naarm, in Hoppers Crossing. All of our First Nations brothers out there know that a lot knowledge have come from the Woman before them and acknowledge the importance of woman that they are surrounded by today. Men such as Michael Anderson from Mick Ando Designs shares his stories of the land and sea gifted from the ancestors passing his knowledge to his sons, creating beautiful artworks in the process. A lot of the women in our Mobs have collected our traditional medicinal and edible plants, passing knowledge to all. First Nations landscaping business called TuffYards has used their knowledge of the land and created a successful Blak business that has a team of horticulturist, landscapers, plumbers, drainers and concreters, working with corporations, councils, governments and proud homeowners. Be sure to check out all our businesses out on their social media pages and website.
Don’t forget to check out our Shop, sign up to our Directory and subscribe to Blackademy!
We hope everyone has a deadly weekend!
Yanande’
1st March 2024
Hey Mob.
Hope you are all ready for the weekend! We have just a few deadly blak businesses to share with you all. Chloe Watego is an artist on a journey to find connection with her Mob and discovering new things about her mob everyday. Chloe’s Grandfather was part of the Stolen Generation and through healing and connecting with Mob, it inspired Chloe to share her story through her art. Torres Strait Islander Sister, living on Wurundjeri Country, Kahlilla Rigby has strong spiritual connection to the land and sea, taking inspiration from her cultural knowledge of her people and country she lives on, Kahlilla puts it on canvas exploring different mediums and styles. There are Mob out there that help us Blakfullas through our trauma, Lj Singh is one of those deadly people. From personal trauma to generational trauma, Lj is Quandamooka and Wiradjuri Woman and uses safe cultural practices and counselling in her work to guide mob on their healing journey, providing a safe and cultural environment. A part of one’s healing journey is to connect by going back out on country and collecting native medicinal plants, Yarbun Creations just do that, collecting native plants for their handmade soaps, jewellery and traditional aboriginal tools and artefacts on Ghungalu and Yuwi Country. It’s deadly to see Mob using different methods of healing and sharing their knowledge and story for everyone. Here at BuyingBlack we would love for you to share your story with us. We share information videos of your businesses, business tips, people’s experiences and stories from our old people, and we would love to hear more stories from all Mobs around Australia. You can view these videos on our website only, with a yearly subscription. Don’t forget to check out our shop and grab yourself a little something.
So, c’mon you mob, tell us a yarn about yourself, your business or stories that were handed down to you. Subscribe to Blackademy!
Yanande’
23rd February 2024
Hey Mob,
Big changes have happened at Buying Black, but first we just want to share some amazing Tiddas businesses. Born To Be Wirthy was founded by sis Brianna Leigh, this deadly little beauty business is located in Melbourne, Brianna specialises in Brow services and uses handmade eyelash extensions. Yorta Yorta/Wiradjuri woman Kachina Davidson has such a beautiful and unique style in her aboriginal contemporary art, following the footsteps of her mob inspired by the country, native plants and animals. From the Wiabul/Widjabal peoples of the Bundjalung Nation, Tywana Caldwell was gifted with stories of her people, country and history, now sharing these stories and her experiences through her colourful art. Skin, Body and Hair care is a great way for self care, you can find such products for self care in Paperbark Love, created by Kungarakan Woman Amanda Watts. Starting off as a hobby, Paperbark Love is now a successful business caring for the mob. In need of some jewellery? Well Wongutha sister Jareen Wyatt, creates such beautiful and bright wearable art all inspired from her country, language and stories of her Mob. You might see her deadly business at the Markets around Boorloo or check her instagram.
As I said in the beginning, we’ve had some changes at Buying Black, GALANG (good) changes and we want to share it with you mob. Blakfullas have been sharing stories since the dreaming, and storytelling is a main component of our culture and continuing tradition. Here at Buying Black, we have started Blackademy, a collection of online video content sharing stories, mainly focused on blak businesses and personal experiences. We also have tips with Uncle, to help you grow your and share your small business. Click here to subscribe to Blackademy, costing $30 for a full year of access! If you would like to tell your story to the Buying Black community hit us up at hello@buyingblack.com.au
Yandande’
Buying Black
16th February 2024
Hey Mob,
Are you all ready for tonight? Read to cheer on our Indigenous and Maori Brothers and Sisters! No matter who wins at the end of the game, it’s Culture that is the true winner.
Since we are celebrating Culture here are a few Blak business that are inspired by culture, like Vegas, he celebrates his culture and heritage through his art, using such bold colours and spreads awareness in his little coffee van and travelling art gallery with his family. Wiradjuri Dreaming, a business run by Bianca Caldwell, selling her art on canvas and handbags and many more accessories that you can wear and show off. Full time speechy and spare time artist Imogen Albany loves using big bold lines and bright colours in her art, representing her passion, love of her culture and spreading positive to the world. Darumbal and Wulli Wulli brother Ernest Garrett goes home to his Mob quite often to show his kids his Country. By visiting family and connecting spiritually to his land, his stories and knowledge are represented in his art. Any mob around Ulladulla, check out Wiradjuri Family run business South Coast Paddock to Plate, they specialise in butchery. Some of the services they provide are home butchery, wholesale of meats and organic tallow skin-based products.
So that’s it mob, support these deadly businesses and keep an eye out for more. If you have a business, sign up to our directory, we have Blak Businesses registered from all over the country.
And don’t forget to check out our online store.
Yanande’
9th February 2024
Hey Mob,
Valentines Day is fast approaching, if you’re still looking for a pressie for your loved one, I have a few deadly businesses that you could buy from. First up we have a Gamilaroi family who not only paint murals but also make accessories with their very own aboriginal contemporary art designs, this award-winning business is called Hogarth Arts, they’re based in Meanjin. Nurungaa/Ngarrundjeri sister Ashleigh runs a business called Dreaming In Dots, sharing her knowledge with acrylic on canvas using vibrant colours to represent her country and the places she sees. The Edward Mob, Miranda and Clinton started their business doing skin cloaks for Kindy Graduation but now they have stepped up and started designing earrings, check out their online store. Finally, Jessica Oak from the Darumbal mob, now based in Wiradjuri Country, started her business Once A Dreamer back in 2020, creating and designing bags, towels, mats and clothing. Check out her Insta an online store to grab yourself something flash!
Check out the BuyingBlack Directory for more First Nations Businesses, and also grab yourself something deadly from our online shop!
I hope you all have a deadly weekend.
Yanande’
2nd February 2024
Hey Mob,
I hope everyone is feeling better after last weekend, if you are still feeling unwell, please talk to mob or you can also call 13YARN.
As a way to bring back Blak Positivity, here at BuyingBlack, we wanted to profile some more deadly businesses that we have shared on our Instagram. Wanting to start a deadly little native Bushfoods Garden? pop in and see Clarence and Adam at Bush To Bowl, a deadly nursery and farm specialising in Native Bushfoods. Want to feel good, look good and love make up? check out Yukana Glow. Barkindji Sister Kimberley, created this deadly make up inspired by her country and places she has visited. For all who have a sweet tooth check out Chocolate On Purpose. Wiradyuri woman Fiona, and ally Jo have created a chocolate business, combining native Bushfoods into chocolate, to showcase the amazing Bushfoods we have on country. Based in Meanjin Dylan Nicholls has founded a video production company. Dylan started in Mental Health and came across people who had a story to tell, and now, Dylan is telling peoples stories though media and sharing with the world. You can check out these businesses on our instagram page.
To help you find a Blak Businesses in your area go to our directory, we have Blak Businesses registered from all over the country.
And don’t forget to check out our online store.
Yanande’
26th January 2024
Hey mob,
This week may have been a sad week for mob leading up to and now being Survival Day. If you find yourself on social media and are seeing the hateful side, please don’t read the comments, protect your mental health. If you are struggling and need to talk to someone, please don’t hesitate to call 13YARN.
On a more positive side, we have shared a few amazing Blak businesses for you to check out. Tidda Melissa Ladkin is a deadly contemporary Aboriginal artist, what’s special about her art is that she paints with ochre from her country, to connect her stories with country. Do you love skincare products? Bethlyn is a Nhanda/Yamatji woman and is an amazing makeup artist, with her knowledge in the makeup industry, Bethlyn created Basic Skin Co, a deadly skin care line. If you’re ever on Gubbi Gubbi Country check out Briar Blooms Boutique. Founded by Palawa woman, Domica Hill, Briar Blooms Boutique sells gifts, homewares and botanicals. Domica also sells her beautiful contemporary aboriginal art, she is also known as @by_Meeka. We thank these deadly Tiddas for letting us share to you mob their deadly Blak businesses.
Don’t forget to check out our online shop, we have products being added all the time.
Stay safe over this weekend and come Saturday support our brothers and sisters who have made it to Triple J’s Hottest 100.
Yanande’
19th January 2024
Hey Mob,
We’re almost at the end of the month, so we shared a few solid Blak Businesses for you. Here at BuyingBlack we are currently promoting Blak businesses that are registered to our website, so here are few for you.
In need of gifts as a little birthday pressie for your bunji or mob, Ngiilay Gift Boxes. Something Original is a deadly Tattoo Shop in the heart of Gadigal Country, they take walk ins, so if you’re in Gadigal Country hit them up for tatt. Sara Riches is an amazing contemporary aboriginal artist who specialise in textured art, this sister girl turned her passion into a successful business. Yinarr Mali is a successful weaving business meaning ‘made by Gomeroi women’s hands.’ check them out an support black women owned business. Valentines Day coming up in a few weeks, if you’re needing a beautiful present for a loved one, Brosiscus can help you with that, this Jewellery line is founded by sister Jayde Geia. Bundjalung woman Sara Jane shares her knowledge and culture through her contemporary aboriginal art, painting mainly in the beautiful earthy colours of her country. Helping her community Dona Conley is from Dharug and Ngiyampaa mob, now living in Waddawrung Country, healing her community she donates her beautiful contemporary aboriginal art and helps local youth groups.
So here are the deadly Blak businesses of the week, be sure to check them out on Insta or their website. We would also like to know what defines a Blak Business?
So hit us up on out Insta, Facebook or email hello@buyingblak.com.au
Yanande’ Mob
12th January 2024
Hey Mob,
I hope everyone had a deadly Christmas and New Years, Now Buying Black is back, and it’s time to unpack all the deadly Blak Business we have found for you and to remind you of all the deadly businesses that are still out there. If you’re looking for a nice sauce or even a nice refreshing Soda, this established business Native Oz Bushfoods can help you with that, if you're looking for vibrant contemporary Aboriginal Art, Mali Isabel Art has beautiful designs on canvas, accessories and water bottles and she even does commission work, for more Art, check out Wiradjuri Brother John Hill, his art is incredible. If you’re looking for jewellery or baskets, Terase Kelly makes incredible baskets and earrings, with a splash of colours all around her Country, Sapphic Flicks is a safe space for Indigenous and LBGTQI+ to showcase their voices on the big screen, Merryn from the Wiradjuri Mob and Jamie have founded a deadly TV and Film Production Company.
If you would like to see more of our Blak businesses check out their Insta, and to support us at Buying Black, check out our online shop!
Yanande’ Mob
22nd December 2023
Nara Mob,
Sorry we haven’t been able to post any businesses in the last couple weeks as we were in Sorry Business and had Covid. But before we go on holidays here’s a couple more businesses we have come across, Ilan Style created by proud Meriam woman Kerry Arabena who has a deadly business in creating Tea, so if Aunties and Nanna’s need to make a cuppa try Ilan Style. Check out Dharawal sister, Kara from Saltwater Dreaming Artwork, she’s a deadly artist, her beautiful artworks capture her Country in all colours, Gamilaraay woman Kiara has created a weaving business called Yulaa-li, with this successful Blak Business Kiara makes baskets, bags and jewellery.
Buying Black have now have an online store, check out the website and support our work, we’ll also be selling products using the designs of local artists, from the Burnett River region, from Wakka Wakka, Wulli Wulli, Djakunda and Gooreng Gooreng mobs, all located on Wakka Wakka Country.
Merry Christmas and a have deadly New Year
Yanande’ you mob..
8th December 2023
What a great week for Buying Black. The Buying Black website has been redesigned and you can now buy BuyingBlack Merch to support our work. Buying Black has discovered some galang (good/deadly) Black business we wanted to share with you mob. How deadly it is to see Blak Brothers and Sisters venturing off and following their passion and adding indigenous flare to the mix. Speaking of mix Wandering Emu is a brand new Gin business for our mob who love to have a good drink, especially over Christmas and New Year, it would make a deadly present, and for your work Chrissy and Break Up parties, for all the mob around Naarm if you’re in need of a caterer to feed everyone hire Jarrah Catering, they specialise in native and locally sourced foods. Another great Chrissy present for the tribe is some artwork, Biripi By Brie, makes exceptional artwork; with bold lines, and natural colours of the land and sea, representing her Country, if there's space on your living room wall, buy some art! For the mob who work in the office check out Ilgari designs, Abby makes some deadly stationery items for everyone with personal designs inspired by her Nanna. In need of a basket or jewellery check out Mararra Creative; Tayla makes everything from Dilly Bags to Art on canvas and Walkaboutgirl and what’s great about her art is that it's all recycled, and what a great way to care for Country, continuing what our Ancestors did for thousand and thousands of years.
A big shout out to all the Black Businesses out there and we'll be promoting more every week so keep an eye out for more businesses that we share and give them a follow on their Instagram pages.
Yanande’ you mob..