Craft-loving friends set up shop
TWO friends who met through their mutual love of crafting have gone into business together and are looking for talented crafters to come on board.
Sharon Manley and Jane Bateson, who both live in Winthorpe, are the new owners of A Little Bird Told Me Emporium, Newark, which offers crafters the opportunity to showcase and sell their products.
Both have been selling their products through the emporium for some time. Jane started her business, making dressed mice, after giving one as a 50th birthday present for a friend.
She was encouraged to make more and they have proved so popular she has sold more than 200.
Sharon said she had always enjoyed making things and decided to turn her talents into a business making fairy houses.
They have now decided the time is right to start a new venture together, and to move the emporium from Barnbygate to more central premises at 25 Market Place, Newark.
The new shop, in a former estate agents building that was once the home of the town’s children’s library, will be officially opened on Saturday.
They have given the business a new look with contemporary greys, blues and creams.
“We have tried to put our own mark on the business,” said Sharon.
They have been joined by Maxine Hoole-Jackson, who runs Rocket Retro. She sells pre-loved fashion and vintage items along with new stock from brands such as Lindy Bop, Hell Bunny and Dancing Days.
Maxine became involved with the business after she came into the shop looking for vintage clothes. She ended up being offered a space to sell her stock and has become a familiar face in the emporium.
She will have a pop-up shop at the back of the new premises and will be there most days, helping Jane and Sharon to serve the customers.
Jane said they had decided to move because they wanted a place that was more central and where there was more footfall.
“When we saw the premises just off the Market Place it seemed ideal,” she said.
“It gives us a bigger space and there is a room at the back where we can run craft sessions in the future.”
Sharon said their aim was to continue to offer a place where crafters could sell their products by renting out a space.
They also want to introduce new lines so all the family is catered for.
“We want it to be a place where crafters are able to sell their products in an environment full of amazing handmade items,” she said.
“There are so many people around here who are really talented and we want to give them the chance to showcase what they do.”
The shop will be open Monday to Saturday. They also plan to open on Sundays in the run-up to Christmas and want to be involved in any events organised for the festive period.
More information is available from alittlebirdtoldmeemporium @hotmail.com
