Shark Week 2013
- Words by Peppermint
This cat-on-a-roomba and a series of other ‘finny’ memes may have become the face of Shark Week this year, but do you know what it’s really all about? Kicking off in 1987 as a series of shark-themed docos on the Discovery Channel, Shark Week celebrations today spill out into conservation efforts far and wide, with organisations around the world utilising the occasion as a time to draw attention to their plight. Peppermint was lucky enough to go swimming with sharks as part of Contiki’s eco tour of the Galapagos and Ecuador recently, and having faced majestic schools of sharks face-to-face, our hearts hurt even more when we read that around 14,000 of them are killed every hour. “With sharks around the world under severe pressure from finning, fishing and by-catch, people are recognising that one week a year just won’t cut it,” says Jennifer Loder of Reef Check Australia.
“Sharks have an undeniable role to play in helping keep our ocean ecosystems in balance,” Jennifer continues. “Part of the effort to conserve sharks is increasing public knowledge about shark populations” – and that’s something we can all get involved in. There are a number of hands-on citizen science programs in Australia, including Grey Nurse Shark Watch which tracks the critically endangered species, and REEFSearch, a community-led observation program for snorkellers, reef walkers and scuba divers. Even if you aren’t keen to dive in, you can help protect sharks with your choices: make an effort to select sustainable seafood, or shop ZKIN‘s limited edition accessories supporting Shark Savers. While you’ll have to wait until Peppermint Issue 19 (out August 30th!) to read more about our shark-diving experience, you can keep yourself busy casting an eye over these incredible facts about our finned friends!
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Disillusioned by the realities of fast fashion, design grads Emily May and Sidonie Moore ditched clothing for a business that finds fun in the everyday. Enter @TheNonsenseMaker: a collection of unique homewares, fun wall art, greeting cards and more that breathe life into Emily’s illustrations: “I love the idea of taking real-world objects and changing your perspective in a way that brings magic and whimsy into everyday life!”
In issue 64’s feature ‘It all makes sense’, we chat to the Naarm/Melbourne-based duo about their sustainability philosophy, TV re-runs and their commitment to local makers. At stockists now!
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#PeppermintMagazine #TheNonsenseMaker #LocalMakers #SustainableCraft
Any New Year’s resolutions on your list? We love this from @OtterBeeStitching - “be brave enough to suck at something new”.
There’s no points for perfection, but you’ll get a trophy for trying. If nothing else this year, take the leap and try something new.
#OtterBeeStitching #Embroidery #BeBrave #TrySomethingNew #EmbroideryArt
Sunday serving suggestion ☀️
Gorgeous photos from @JolieFemmeStore - who make sweet garments from vintage bedsheets.
#PeppermintMagazine #SlowSunday #SwitchOff #Unplug #ReadAMagazine
A toast to the old you 🥂
We wholeheartedly love this post from the brilliant @EmilyOnLife:
“2026: Reinvent, burn it down, let it go (whatever it is). Year of the Snake it up. Exercise your boundaries, exercise your body, take one teeny step every day towards a life that feels better to be in.
But don’t you dare shit on your old self while you do it.
Hold yourself with reverence and tenderness and respect, because you got you this far. You did your very best with the information and tools you had at the time. You scraped yourself together, you made it work, you survived what felt impossible to survive: again and again and again.
You are perpetually in the process of becoming, whether you can feel it or not, whether or not you add it to your 2026 to-do list.“
Some very wise words from @Damon.Gameau to take us into 2026 🙌🏼
⭐️ We made it!!! ⭐️
Happy New Year, friends. To those who smashed their goals and achieved their dreams, and to those who are crawling over the finish line hoping to never speak of this year again (and everyone else in between): we made it. However you got here is enough. Be proud.
It’s been a tough year for many of us in small business, so here’s to a better year in 2026. We’re forever grateful for all your support and are jumping for joy to still be here bringing you creativity, kindness and community.
We’re also excited to be leaping into the NY with our special release sewing pattern – the Waratah Wrap Dress!
How great are our fabulous models: @Melt.Stitches, @KatieMakesADress and @Tricky.Pockets - and also our incredible Sewing Manager @Laura_The_Maker! 🙌🏼
Ok 2026: let’s do this. 💪🏼
#PeppermintWaratahWrapDress #PeppermintPatterns #SewingPattern #MeMade #WrapDress #WrapDressPattern
