Winter has settled gently over the valley, slowing the pace just enough for the small things to stand out, the crisp frosts that linger until mid‑morning, the quiet hum of farm chores, and the everyday moments that remind us why rural life feels grounding. As Bit by Bit continues to find its rhythm, this past month has unfolded with a sense of homecoming, connection, and quiet growth.

One of the most meaningful moments was welcoming Down to Earth Organics New Plymouth into our Bit by Bit stockist family. Since taking on custodianship in early April, we’ve been searching for a partner whose values genuinely align with our own — a space that champions conscious living, thoughtful choices, and brands with heart. Down to Earth Organics is exactly that. Seeing our products on their shelves feels like bringing Bit by Bit home, giving our local community easy access at last. New Plymouth folk, you’ve been asking… and now it’s here.

Our little brand has continued to grow across Aotearoa too. Joosh in Geraldine became our newest South Island stockist — number five for the south — and we’re grateful for every values‑aligned store that chooses to carry Bit by Bit. We’ve also begun the search for a new Hamilton stockist following Bare Refill’s closure, and the support from our community has been heartwarming. Every tag, every suggestion, every message reminds us that Bit by Bit has found a meaningful place in people’s homes. If you are a store in Hamilton that would love to have our products in stock please get in touch, likewise if you know of a store please flick us a note and we will reach out to them. 

Here’s a glimpse of our stockists across the motu, and if any sit close to home for you, your support of them naturally supports us as well.

There was also a full‑circle moment that felt almost poetic: our partnership with Shepherdess Magazine. Our love for Bit by Bit began at the Shepherdess Muster in Motu back in 2024, when the brand sponsored the hand soap in the bathrooms. One weekend away, one unforgettable product… and two years later, here we are as the new custodians. To return to the Shepherdess community with features in both the Winter and Spring editions feels like closing a loop we didn’t know was open.

This month celebrates Plastic Free July, a movement that began in Western Australia back in 2011 as a small community challenge. Its founder, Rebecca Prince‑Ruiz, started it after visiting a recycling facility and realising just how much plastic passes through our hands without thought. What began as a local initiative has grown into a global effort, inspiring millions to rethink their everyday habits and reduce single‑use plastics in meaningful, practical ways.

Out here in the valley, Plastic Free July settles in quietly. We reuse, repurpose, refill, and make things last, not because it’s a challenge, but because it’s how many before us lived, and how many of us still do today. Low‑waste living isn’t a trend in rural Aotearoa; it’s woven into the rhythm of everyday life. As Plastic Free July unfolds, it threads itself through the valley much like the frosts — not as a campaign, but as an affirmation of the way many of us already live. Refill, repurpose, make things last. Bit by bit, these choices shape homes, communities, and the land we care for.

If you’d like to learn more about the movement, you can visit the official website: Plastic Free July — https://www.plasticfreejuly.org

Among the quieter moments, we gathered something truly special, a continuation of a story that sits at the heart of Bit by Bit. For many years, LC May, grandmother of previous owner Kristy Buckley, hand‑knitted our cotton dishcloths, continuing a craft passed down from her own grandmother. LC passed away earlier this year, and we feel incredibly privileged that a member of her family has chosen to carry on her work. To honour her, we’ll be releasing thirteen dishcloths on 13 July, celebrating what would have been her birthday. Each one is hand‑knitted, breathable, and completely unique — a small piece of generational craft made with care. Future releases will be reserved for special moments across the Bit by Bit calendar.

Behind the scenes, we’ve also been quietly crafting something new, something that has been on the horizon of Bit by Bit since long before we became custodians. Kristy and Sana always envisioned a body lotion that would sit alongside the handwash range they created, and it feels incredibly special to bring their original idea to life. Our Bit by Bit Body Lotions, will be avialable via the website on the 24 July. They are thick, luxurious, and deeply nourishing, the kind of comfort your skin genuinely feels. Available in 250ml, 500ml, and a 1‑litre refill pouch, they’ve already been tested by a handful of people who’ve shared feedback that made us smile:

“I’ve just come in from an afternoon in the garden. I used the lotion this morning — it soaked into my super dry winter skin, and it still looks moisturised now. My skin feels supple, not oily or like it’s sitting on top of the skin.”

We’ve created two scent blends that complement our existing handwash range - Vanilla & Jasmine and Bergamot & Clary Sage - familiar, grounding combinations that feel right at home within Bit by Bit. Bringing this product to life feels like honouring the vision that came before us, while adding our own care and intention to the next chapter.

Outside of Bit by Bit, life in the valley has been full of small moments that remind us why rural childhood feels so magical. Danielle headed out Friday morning before school, as she always does, to check on Oak, her huntaway pup, and found the water bowls frozen solid. She came back inside to get her sister so they could break the ice together — a tiny moment, but one that captures the joy and wonder of growing up in the country.

We also had the honour of arranging The North Face: An Exhibition of North Taranaki Artists, which opened with a book launch celebrating the life of John Jury. The community centre was packed — standing room only — filled with yarns, laughter, and a deep sense of pride. Events like this remind us why rural community halls matter so deeply. They are more than buildings; they are anchors. They hold our gatherings, our fundraisers, our farewells, our celebrations. They are places where stories are told, where generations meet, where the heartbeat of a small community is felt most strongly. In rural Aotearoa, a community hall isn’t just a venue — it’s a lifeline. A place where connection happens, where isolation softens, where the fabric of community is stitched together one event at a time.

The exhibition ran over two days, raising a lovely sum to help maintain the hall. We were fortunate to display Bit by Bit during the weekend, and it was lovely to see people recognise that this is now Bit by Bit’s home. We’re grateful to continue honouring the relationships and customers forged over the last five years. Every time an order comes in and we handwrite your card, there is a lot of heart and gratitude behind it.

School holidays have arrived, and life has taken on that familiar rhythm of balancing work, family, and the steady pull of farm chores. Matariki brings a welcome pause — a chance to gather, reset, and look toward the season ahead. Before long, the hills will be dotted with new lambs, and the twins will almost certainly have an orphaned one tucked by the back door, waiting for its bottle.

It’s been a month of grounding moments and gentle growth. Thank you for being part of this journey and for supporting the values that sit at the heart of Bit by Bit.

Cam, Steph, Danielle + Mackenzie x