Biddy Bags honours the original artisans of wool – the elderly. Those ladies who selflessly spent hours and hours crocheting for their children, their children’s children and then, sadly, for no-one really. Either due to age, location, the digital age or globalisation many older women find themselves isolated from any meaningful community. Biddy Bags is a social enterprise that connects ladies – young and old. And buying one of the hand crocheted clutch bags demonstrates an appreciation for the maker, and for our older generations.

The good people at Thread Den are hooking in and helping to spread the cause in Victoria. Contact them if you’d like to become involved.

It’s broadly accepted that we bloggers are all nerds who use our employer’s time to catch up with friends in the ether-net. And who are we to argue? Visiting a blog is like calling in on a friend. (One who doesn’t mind how long between visits, but is checking.) Gain a new perspective on your hometown, here are some Melbourne-specific blogs, depending on your mood:

• Feeling political (but not in a right-on way)? Visit Sustainable Melbourne
• Need some nurturing? Loobylu is a crafty mother who diarises her daily goings-on
• If you’re looking for inspiration, find it at Platform Artists Group
• Mapping Melbourne takes pedestrians off their predictable paths and jolts them into a new awareness of the urban landscape.