In other news

• Catch all the action with the Australian Open tennis iPad app
• Philippe Mouchel's More Than French wins Asia Sentinel cookbook of the year 2011
• In the Mix crowned Australian winner of Gourmand World Cookbooks Awards 2011
• Philippe Mouchel's Chicken rotisserie named number 1
• MyCricket app takes top spot on iTunes
• Sneak peak at the 100 Years of Grand Final Records boxed set
• ACCC launch iPhone app, a win for safety-conscious consumers
• AFL Record 2011 International Rules Series
• Meet Jan 'Yarn' Wositzky the man Tommy Woodcock told his life story to
• Were school lunches in the 1900s that different from today?
• An investigator's account of a never-ending road toll
• Possum Pie, Beetroot Beer and Lamingtons - a cookbook with a difference
• Official souvenir magazine of the 2011 Toyota AFL Premiership - out now
• Possum Pie, Beetroot Beer And Lamingtons - Family Event at Westgarth Books
• ShopSmart NSW app

There are many reasons for the recent surge on Australians designing and making products, gifts and personal items themselves. Environmental awareness and the economic crisis makes it a mental struggle for many to fork out hundreds of dollars on items that are mass-produced and imported. If we don’t have the time, talent or resources to make it ourselves, we are heading for quality, locally handmade products. After all, it’s what’s best for our local economy, and for our sustainable future.

Handmade in Melbourne was published by this company in 2006, and there is no better time than now to issue the follow-up. The 2009 edition will contain 200 pages of Melbourne-based artisan profiles, all of whom hand-make their products and sell locally. The group of Melbourne-based artisans will then become part of a wider community, in the online forum at handmadeinaustralia.com.au. The book will be available in August, but we are accepting artisan submissions now for inclusion. Head to Handmade in Australia to sign up. Don't miss the chance to be part of something beautiful, and inspiring.