Our story — Meet Wedad
In 2017, I was winding up a 30-year career in Sydney's corporate sector, mostly in logistics and supply chain. It was rewarding in its way, but I was craving more tangible work — something I could touch and see at the end of the day. My husband and I had always loved the Sapphire Coast, so when the timing lined up, we sold our place in Parramatta and moved to Eden. It felt like the right spot to start fresh.
Before this change, I didn’t think much about how the things we use at home come to be. But when we moved, I started noticing the stories behind everyday objects. I met local ceramicists at markets in Merimbula, saw old driftwood piles near Ben Boyd National Park, and realised there was a whole world of slow, thoughtful making right in front of me. It sparked an idea I couldn’t ignore.
Salt Market Goods started in 2019 with a single product: driftwood wall art made from pieces I collected on local beaches. I sold the first batch at the Eden Community Market, just to see if anyone else might like the idea. It went better than expected. From there, I started collaborating with a potter in Bega and a linen supplier in Melbourne. Slowly, the range grew, and I learned the ropes of running a business in a totally different way than before.
These days, I run the business from my small home workshop, with the help of a few terrific locals. We're still based in Eden, though I ship across Australia now. Every product we offer has a connection to the coastal places that inspire me every day. It’s nothing fancy, but it’s honest, and it feels good to share.
— Thanks for supporting small from the coast — Wedad, Wedad Yousif
Journal
The Story Behind Our Surfside Mug Set
A quick drive up to Milton started it all — meeting a local ceramicist with an eye for raw coastal textures.
Last year, on a whim, I drove up to Milton on the South Coast to meet a ceramicist a friend had mentioned. Her name’s Clare, and she works out of a converted dairy shed overlooking rolling green paddocks. Nothing fancy — wheel, kiln, and shelves stacked with half-finished pieces coated in fine red clay dust. But her work had this honesty to it that reminded me of the sandstone cliffs at Aslings Beach.
The Surfside Mug Set came out of a few weekends of us chatting over tea, surrounded by her two scruffy kelpies. Clare uses a clay blend sourced from Gulgong in Central NSW. It’s got this natural speckle that looks almost sandy once it’s fired. Each mug in the set is slightly different because she throws them by hand. I told her not to aim for perfection. Uneven is good.
When I brought the first batch home, I tested them the only way I could think of — a hot cup of Earl Grey with a piece of rocky road on the side. They felt solid but not heavy, the kind of mug you want to wrap your hands around in the middle of winter. There’s no glaze on the bottom, so the surface feels almost like holding a smooth pebble.
We keep the colours neutral because Clare and I both agree that simple always lasts. There’s a soft white for mornings and a deep slate grey for those evenings when you’re drinking tea in front of the fire. Every now and then, Clare sneaks in a mug with a swirl or flecked glaze when she’s feeling playful. I’ve got one in my cupboard as we speak.
The funny thing is, Clare says she wasn’t a tea drinker until she started making mugs for us. Now she swears by peppermint. She reckons it keeps her calm while she’s throwing clay. I told her she should try Earl Grey next — no rocky road required.
Setting the Table with the Bayside Board
Autumn evenings call for a small gathering and good food — perfect for testing out the Bayside Bamboo Serving Board.
The first cold snap in Eden always makes me want to cook. Last weekend, I invited a few friends over for an early dinner. Nothing too elaborate, just a pot of pumpkin soup with garlic bread, a platter of cheeses, and a few bottles of cabernet from Tumbarumba. It was also the first proper outing for the Bayside Board, which has been sitting in my kitchen for months now — I like to test things before they leave the studio.
It’s made from bamboo, which, to be honest, I was a bit skeptical about at first. But after a few months of slicing, wiping, and generally giving it a hard time, it’s held up better than expected. The grain is clean and smooth, no splinters, and it doesn’t pick up stains as much as you’d think. My favourite part is the rounded edges; they feel soft to touch.
When I set it out, I kept things simple: a wedge of triple cream brie, a chunk of cheddar, a pile of crackers, and a handful of almonds. I added some quince paste from a local maker in Bega and a bowl of figs I’d picked up from the Saturday market. I’ll admit, I’m no stylist, but the board made everything look a bit more put-together without trying too hard.
One of my friends, Clare (yes, ceramic Clare), pointed out the handle shape — slightly curved so your fingers don’t slip. She joked that she needs a board like that for her morning toast. Maybe I’ll send her one in her next restock box. It definitely survived the evening, despite a few people leaning on it while they chatted.
When everyone left, I gave it a quick wipe-down with warm water. No scrubbing, no fuss. It’s back on my kitchen bench now, holding a loaf of sourdough from the new bakery down the road. I think it’ll stay there for a while.
Behind the Winter Linen Throw Process
We’ve been working with the same Melbourne textile maker for years now — here’s what goes into our Coastal Breeze Throw.
I never thought I’d spend this much time thinking about textiles, but here we are. The Coastal Breeze Linen Throw started as a bit of an experiment — linen wasn’t something I was used to. But I met a small family-run textile maker in Melbourne who talked me through the benefits. Natural fibers, breathable, and surprisingly strong once woven right. They gave me an old sample to test, and I was hooked.
The linen they use is woven from flax grown in Ballarat. It’s got this slightly coarse texture that softens after a few washes. For the throws, we chose a weave that feels light but warm. Perfect for throwing over your legs when you’re reading a book but not heavy enough to make you overheat. We also keep them unlined for that relaxed, drapey look.
Every throw is finished by hand by a small team of seamstresses. I visited their workshop last spring. It’s nothing flashy, just a big room with cutting tables, sewing machines, and a small radio tucked in the corner. One of the seamstresses, Trudy, told me she’s been hemming since she was 19. She’s in her mid-60s now and still stitches faster than anyone else. I think people like her are the reason these things feel so solid.
The first batch came back in time for the winter markets last year. I kept one for myself — a soft grey one that looks almost blue in certain lights. It lives on the arm of my living room chair. Most mornings, I use it when I have my coffee and look out at the ocean. I probably shouldn’t admit this, but it’s already got a small red wine stain in one corner. Life happens.
The studio shipment for this year’s batch arrived last week. I’ve stacked them in a corner for now, but as always, I’ve kept one back for myself. A sandy-beige this time. New year, new throw. That’s my excuse, anyway.
Easter, Evenings, and the Seascape Candle
Easter in Eden feels slower than anywhere else — a good time to light a candle and let the day wind down.
Easter’s a quiet time here. The tourists usually head back up to Sydney after the holidays, and the days start to feel slower. This year, I spent Good Friday at home, no big celebrations or fancy lunches. Just me, a borrowed book from the library, and the scent of the Seascape Candle flickering in the background.
The candle is one I keep coming back to. It’s poured in partnership with a studio in Brisbane, run by two sisters who love experimenting with essential oils. For Seascape, we landed on a mix of fig leaf, salt, and a hint of lemon myrtle. It’s subtle but fresh, like the air right before the tide comes in. Each candle is 300 grams and burns for 50 hours — although I think mine’s probably got about 20 left after this weekend.
I always use the same glass jars for our candles. They’re thick with a simple frosted finish, and I like that they don’t scream ‘look at me’ when you put one on a shelf. When the candle’s finished, I run boiling water in the jar to get the leftover wax out and use them to hold pencils or small plants. I’ve got three lined up on my desk right now.
Evenings during Easter here cool down quickly. By 5:30, the sun’s long gone, and the wind picks up off the water. I don’t mind it though. When the candle’s on, casting soft shadows against the wall, and all you can hear is the waves, it feels like the world’s taken a breath. I never used to notice these small things when I lived in the city. I think I was always rushing to the next thing.
I made myself a cup of chai, lit the candle, and opened the book again. At some point, I fell asleep in the chair, the candle still going. When I woke up, it was almost gone. A good way to end a slow Easter, I reckon.
Customer reviews
Emma T. — Fitzroy, VIC — 2024-07-15 — 5/5
Beautiful throw!
I bought the Coastal Breeze Linen Throw, and it's even softer than I expected. The colour is perfect for my living room, and delivery was quick.
Liam D. — Marrickville, NSW — 2024-08-20 — 4/5
Nice mugs!
The Surfside Ceramic Mug Set is great. They feel sturdy, and the glaze is beautiful. One cup had a tiny imperfection, but it's barely noticeable.
Sophie M. — New Farm, QLD — 2025-01-12 — 5/5
Perfect serving board
The Bayside Bamboo Serving Board is a hit at dinner parties. It's lightweight but solid, and the size is just right for cheese and crackers.
Ben H. — Adelaide CBD, SA — 2025-03-05 — 5/5
Lovely candle
The Seascape Scented Candle smells amazing and burns evenly. I was worried it might be overpowering, but it’s just right.
Olivia C. — Bondi, NSW — 2024-10-09 — 5/5
Great wall art
The Ocean Driftwood Wall Art has completely elevated my space. It arrived well-packaged and in perfect condition. Highly recommend!
Jack R. — Norwood, SA — 2024-12-18 — 5/5
Exceeded expectations
I ordered the Coastal Breeze Linen Throw, and it feels luxurious. Delivery was faster than I anticipated, which was a bonus.
Mia L. — Surry Hills, NSW — 2025-02-22 — 4/5
Lovely bamboo board
The Bayside Bamboo Serving Board is great quality and looks stunning. It's a bit smaller than I imagined, but it still works well.
Ethan K. — Cottesloe, WA — 2024-11-30 — 5/5
Excellent mugs
The Surfside Ceramic Mug Set is perfect for my morning coffee! The design is simple yet beautiful, and they feel great to hold.
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