A Derry business owner has spoken about the journey she has made since establishing her dream craft shop in lockdown.
Bernadette Quigley runs Belle Boards in a pop-up commercial pod behind Da Vinci's hotel in Derry.
Selling quirky and handmade cards and gifts, Belle Boards encapsulates the artistic flare that grew from lockdown, with many flourishing their artistic skills and establishing local businesses of their own.
Bernadette spoke to MyDerry about the support she has received in her new dream craft business.
She said: "My business started for real at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic when I found myself back in Derry.
"What was essentially a hobby for years became something I believed I could make a go of. I began with a stall at Society Street Indoor Market and it grew from there!
"I moved into my pod at Da Vinci's at the end of October and hope to be here for as long as possible.
"My business is a shop filled with cards, signs and gifts which I hand-letter using my own font and designs. This means every piece is unique and can be personalised.
"I also try to support other local businesses so I've added a range of candles from Rekindle Scents.
"Obviously I've taken a huge risk in opening my shop during Covid but I felt I just needed to go for it. It is challenging and worrying some days but I think the people of Derry know the importance of shopping local these days."
Bernadette believes that the pandemic has helped to push supporting local businesses. With local businesses facing the worst of closures, communities rallied around them.
Bernadette said: "I think the pandemic has definitely pushed people into shopping and supporting local. It has changed the way we shop and think about shopping. We all realise the importance of this to our community.
"Derry is unique as it has such a wealth of talent and the passion and the warmth of independent business owners really does shine throughout the city."
Belle Boards has seen an influx of local support, from walkers who spot the commercial pod and call in, to those who see her social media posts, to staff in neighbouring Da Vinci's hotel.
"Local support has been brilliant. From everyone at Da Vinci's including Aine and her colleagues at the office to hotel staff and management.
"Also customers who have come out of their way to visit me to everyone sharing, liking my posts on Social Media.
"My hopes for the future are to keep building my brand and making my shop bigger and better with lots of new products coming in January."
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