Rata & Smudge

14/04/2026

You’ll find me right here in my beautiful little town of Roxburgh this Saturday 💜

Our wee market is something special 🌸… not just stalls, but real people, real stories, and things made with heart. The kind of place where you slow down, have a chat, and feel a little more connected when you leave.

I won’t be at the Autumn 🍂 Festival this year as planned. It’s been a big season, and I’ve chosen to stay close to home… right in the middle of saffron harvest, drying those precious petals from Wynyard Estate Saffron🌸
But more than that… I’m learning (gently) that looking after yourself matters. Burnout creeps in quietly, and so many of us know that feeling & most of you that know me, know I don’t slow down easily but with my beautiful Mum being unwell, it’s been a reminder I can’t ignore… life is precious, and those little nudges to slow down and listen to your gut? They matter more than we think.

So this weekend feels extra special. Close to home. Close to heart.

✨ Saturday — Roxburgh
✨ Sunday — Cromwell (as always, down at the precinct)

If you’re local, or passing through… come wander, support our incredible makers, and soak in a little Central Otago magic 🤍

I’d truly love to see you.

11/04/2026

You’ll find me here The bestest little Market in Central Otago Only 3 weekends to go now until the last market Anzac weekend 🌸

07/04/2026

💜 The part of saffron most people never see…

After the red threads are harvested at Wynyard Estate Saffron
we collect what’s left behind 👀

✨ petals
✨ stamen
✨ full plant magic

Gathered in chilli bags → stalk removed → gently dehydrated

💡 Saffron petals are rich in kaempferol — a powerful antioxidant known to support skin health, calm inflammation & promote a natural glow

And then… transformed into the oils, balms & blends you love 💛

Slow. Intentional. Whole plant 🌿 Wynyard Estate Saffron

07/04/2026

💜 you should smell the aroma coming from the shed It’s a wow 🤩 smell 💜🌸💜

Yesterday was our first day of collecting the Saffron and ohhh she’s a beauty.
Wynyard Estate Saffron
Most people know saffron for the red threads (the stigma)…
and that’s exactly what the beautiful team at Wynyard Estate Saffron harvest so carefully.

But once those threads are taken…
the rest of the flower still holds so much magic.

✨ petals
✨ stamen
✨ the full plant story

And that’s where we come in.
The petals are collected after harvest, gathered up in chilli bags and brought back to Rata & Smudge be transformed.

From there, each flower is gently prepared by removing the stalk at the base, then slowly dehydrated to preserve the colour, scent and plant compounds.

From this point… they begin their journey into our oils, balms and blends 💛

It’s slow.
It’s hands-on.
And it honours every part of the plant.

So when you open your bottle…
you’re not just getting saffron —
you’re getting the part most people never see ✨

💡 Saffron petals are rich in kaempferol — a powerful antioxidant known to support skin health, calm inflammation & promote a natural glow

And then… transformed into the oils, balms & blends you love 💛

Happy harvesting for whatever you are gathering at the moment Autumn is such a special time of year All the last of before winter garden rest and reset time

04/04/2026

Today was amazing in Alexandra even with a drizzle of rain Tomorrow is the Cromwell Farmers and Artisans Market
See you there 💕🌸💕

🐣🌸 Happy Easter from the Cromwell Farmers Market! 🌸🐣

Wishing everyone a joyful and relaxing Easter filled with good food, family time, and a little bit of chocolate too! 🍫💛

We look forward to seeing you this Sunday at the Cromwell Heritage Precinct from 9am to 1pm 🌞

Come enjoy the fresh air, support local, and treat yourself to something delicious or handmade – there’s something for everyone!

🐰 See you there! 🐰

03/04/2026

🐣 WHERE AM I THIS EASTER WEEKEND? 🐣

Just home from the blue lotus ponds in Oz… and ohhh my heart is full 💙🌿
Now straight back into market life with all the goodness in tow ✨

✨ Saturday
Alexandra Pioneer Park
🕘 10am – 2pm

✨ Sunday
Cromwell Farmers & Artisan Market (Old Precinct)
🕘 9am – 1pm

Come wander, smell, and find your perfect Herbal Hug 💚
Because you know… Plants are clever—we just put them together 💫

29/03/2026

My link below is my trip to the Blue lotus pond I visited
Believe me it was stepping into the unknown here ☺️ but so worth it

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DWdyc04gYvH/?igsh=dXN0aGVidmF0bWl6

26/03/2026

Cromwell Farmers and Artisans Market
To all my regular clients I will not be at the market on Sunday I’m sorry
I’m off for a wee break before Saffron season starts Wynyard Estate Saffron is nearly all go 🌸💜🌸
See you Easter Sunday.
Have an awesome week

23/03/2026

🚨🌿 LAST CHANCE BEFORE I DISAPPEAR INTO THE LOTUS PONDS OF BYRON🌿🚨

Alright lovely people… this is your little nudge 👀

Last chance to place your online orders before I head away tomorrow (Thursday 26th March) for a full week of Blue Lotus sourcing magic 🌸✨

The website will be paused until 2nd April while I’m off in Byron, hand-selecting this dreamy plant for our next season’s blends (tough job… but someone’s gotta do it 😉).

If you’ve been thinking about:
✨ restocking your favourites
✨ trying Blue Lotus for sleep
✨ grabbing a little Herbal Hug for yourself (or someone else)

Now’s the moment 💫

All orders in before I go will be sent out — then it’s quiet from me while I’m off wandering the ponds 🌿

Thank you for keeping this little business flowing… next stop after this?
🌼 SAFFRON SEASON 🌼

Game on when I get back

Kind regards,
Fiona 🤍
Rata & Smudge
Where Plants Meet Purpose

21/03/2026

Our very first Teviot Community Market in Roxburgh is officially done & dusted — and what a beauty it was 💛

To our amazing community (and the long weekend travellers who “just pulled in for a quick stop” and somehow left with bags full and no regrets 😉)… thank you. You showed up, you backed local, and you made the whole thing hum.

And to our 25 absolute legends of stallholders — growers, makers, bakers, creators… you brought the goods in every sense. The quality, the passion, the chat — you made this market come alive.

Not bad for a first crack, Teviot 😏 thank you
Safe to say… we might be onto something here.🍂🍃
Look forward to next month
Fiona & Helen

18/03/2026

🌿 Where am I This Weekend?… Out & About! 😄 🌿

It’s a big Otago Anniversary weekend and I’m doing a double market run 💛

Saturday → Roxburgh
✨ First ever Teviot Community Market
📍 Teviot Union Church Grounds
⏰ 9am – 1pm

This one’s close to the heart 💛
We’d love our locals to come out and support so we can grow this into something really special for the valley.

And if you’re travelling through, make sure you stop — makers, growers, fresh goodies & beautiful community vibes

🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸

Sunday → Cromwell
✨ Cromwell Farmers and Artisans Market
📍 The Old Precinct
⏰ 9am – 1pm

Calling both locals & visitors to beautiful Cromwell — come down, soak up the atmosphere and support local makers

I’ll be at both with all your Herbal Hugs & that “follow your nose” goodness 🌿✨

👉 Two days
👉 Two markets
👉 One very happy (fueled by plants & good chats 😄) herbal lady

Come find me, come have a smell, and let’s make a weekend of it 💛

🌿 Rata & Smudge – where Plants meet purpose