Name: Winifred & Mabel
Based: Wadebridge
Website: www.facebook.com/winifredandmabel
We run a craft co-operative style shop in Wadebridge, Cornwall. We are two small business owners making handmade products who had become disillusioned with the temporary nature of craft fairs, and needed a permanent shop in a prominent high street location.
We realised that there were many other small businesses in the same situation, so we asked around and advertised for other handmade-focused traders to join us. The shop opened in March 2014 and we now have 17 small businesses selling their goods from our shop.
As well as making sales, many of our traders feel that they are now true businesses and are making a decent living from their handmade products.
We have a large product range in our shop, including art, jewellery, textiles, interiors, felt flowers, decoupage, painted ceramics, willow, fused glass, crochet, candles, pressed flowers and cards.
Our little shop is very popular with locals and visitors alike, and we are seen as the go-to shop in the area for gifts and unique interior products.
We were delighted to be chosen to represent small businesses at the Small Business Saturday event in December 2014, where we set up a pop-up shop outside 10 Downing Street.
We also have a small workshop space where we teach people skills such as sewing, lampshade making and floral creations. We hope to expand this side of the business in the future.
Karen Davey is the co-owner of Winifred & Mabel
