A South Australian businesswoman running arts and crafts workshops has faced widespread allegations across Australia of cancelling events at short notice whilst retaining customer payments. Carina Lee Kerr's business, The Brush Bar, has drawn complaints from hundreds of customers who claim they never received refunds, prompting consumer watchdogs in multiple states to issue formal warnings and raising concerns about potentially criminal conduct under Australian Consumer Law.

Customers paid $110 per ticket for events such as suncatcher-making and hat-burning classes, only to receive last-minute cancellation notices citing reasons including stock theft, missing inventory, flight problems and staff illness. A private Facebook group documenting complaints has amassed nearly 400 members, with reports coming from across Australia including Canberra, Hobart, Alice Springs and Newcastle, whilst some customers have lost thousands of dollars and been forced to threaten negative reviews to obtain refunds. Kerr has acknowledged that refunds are delayed but insisted she is processing repayments.