Bliss & Trove’s Greta Sharman, pictured with her artwork. Photo: Kat McCarthy.
As an artist and producer of organic skincare and beeswax products, Greta Sharman appreciates the value of a space dedicated solely to the wares of local artisans. Her Broulee store, Bliss & Trove, has been established in that spirit.
Mogo’s Greta – known for the well-loved Bliss honey products, produced by her beekeeper husband Tom – recently opened a Broulee store stocked exclusively with the work of Eurobodalla artists hailing from Long Beach to Congo. It sits beside Killibinbin café behind the Broulee supermarket, in the area that’s become the local ‘carpark’ meeting place.
Greta’s enjoyed enthusiastic feedback to her compact store, that was fitted out by her husband. It serves artists and locals alike, she says.
“The Artery closed up at Mossy Point nearly two years ago,” she says. “I’ve managed to get a lot of people that had their work there, squeezed into here. I have over 20 local artists represented here, which is pretty amazing.”
Bliss & Trove, Broulee. Photo: Kat McCarthy.
Bliss & Trove showcases pieces including wooden and silver jewellery; painted and sculpted wall art; Bliss honey and beeswax products; and Greta’s organic skincare and chemical-free soaps.
Consumers savvy about health, sustainability and local commerce are increasingly moving away from mass-produced items, she says. “So many people have said that it’s great to have something like this in Broulee, where they can go and buy something locally-made. There’s been a very positive response.”
Greta and Tom’s honey is certified organic. Their bees are not sugar fed, differentiating their product from supermarket honey. Greta says she’s guided by an appreciation for the benefits of natural ingredients.
Chemical-free soaps by Greta Sharman. Photo: Kat McCarthy.
Her home-made personal care products, including healing balm, orange blossom face cream and ‘Buzzaway’ natural insect repellent, were born out of a personal need.
“What actually started them was when my daughter was a baby – she had really bad eczema,” Greta says. “I started making my own creams for her because she had a bad reaction to the chemist steroid products. That’s what got me started and it grew from there.”
Artists featured at Bliss & Trove include silversmith Lizette Richards, well-known Mossy Point artist Frances Luke, Broulee contemporary artist Martina Penning and South Moruya Heads’ Emma Fisher, who does intricate clay and weaving work. Several featured artists run local workshops and Greta hopes to give Broulee locals the opportunity to attend on-site outdoor lessons during 2020.
“I’d love to host a mosaic workshop at some point,” Greta says. “I’d like to learn to mosaic myself!”
During summer, Bliss & Trove opens Wednesday – Sunday, morning until early afternoon. Greta’s honey, beeswax and personal care products are also available at the Tuesday afternoon SAGE Farmers Market in Moruya.
Bliss natural body products. Photo: Kat McCarthy
Earrings by Congo designer Kitamba. Photo: Kat McCarthy.
Silver jewellery by Lizette Richards. Photo: Kat McCarthy.
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