Introducing Scott & Kate from Narrow Road Living Homestead. Where every item is handmade!! From their home located in Warracknabeal, Western Victoria, Scott & Kate create handmade, natural products inspired by simplicity.
Find out why Scott & Kate started creating and why they are so passionate about the value of handmade.
Tell us about your creations and your handmade process.
At Narrow Road Living, everything we make starts right here on our little urban homestead. Scott tends the hives, harvests the honey, and renders the beeswax, which we use for our candles and balms. He also keeps the garden thriving with worms, chickens, and compost which form the heart of our natural fertilisers. Kate hand-pours and rolls the candles, creates our beeswax skincare, and keeps the business ticking along.
It's a lifestyle and a livelihood, sharing what we grow and make, from candles and balms to honey in season and fresh eggs from the homestead.
Tell us a bit about your journey to becoming a handmade artist.
Before Narrow Road Living became our full time work, Kate was a high school teacher and Scott was a counsellor. When we met, we quickly discovered we shared a love of gardening and permaculture. That interest grew into a lifestyle of urban homesteading, where we try to grow as much of our own food as possible. Over time, it naturally evolved into a business, allowing us to share the products we create and the way of life we love.
What is your inspiration or where do you find inspiration?
Our inspiration comes from a desire to live simply, know what we are putting in and on our bodies, and create a low tox home. Scott is also inspired by the challenge of gardening in semi-arid conditions. He loves observing how local plants adapt to the dry climate and make the most of every drop of rain. These values and observations flow into everything we make, from our natural products to the way we live day to day.
Where did you learn your craft?
Scott completed his Permaculture Design Certificate with Geoff Lawton, which shaped much of how we approach our homestead. Kate's background as a science teacher means she brings a methodical approach, keeping a logbook of every candle test and learning through hours of experimenting. We also learn from other homesteaders we follow on YouTube and are looking forward to creating our own tutorial videos to share what we have learned.
Why is handmade artistry so important to you?
Handmade artistry matters to us because it keeps practical skills alive.
We believe it is important for people to know how to look after their own health and wellbeing.
Many of the products we make can be created by anyone with the time and interest, but life can be busy. We offer ours to those who value natural, handmade products but do not have the time to make them themselves.
Scott and Kate are much loved members of the Madeit Collective, posting regularly in our Facebook Group ~ The Handmade Marketplace of Australia ~ and sharing their new creations as they are released. If you haven't connected with Narrow Road Living Homestead, make sure you join our FB Group and say hi !
