How exciting to have discovered a new shop that sells hand crafted items within a 15 mile radius of home. I love where I live, however I have become frustrated with most of the local gift shops which sell the same old tartan tat (gosh that sounds harsh). So I was most impressed when I stepped in to the Starfish Studio recently opened in Johnshaven - a little fishing village nearby. Here, the lovely owner is celebrating all the great talent available on our doorstep, but being choosy about it to create the kind of shopping experience I know anyone reading this will appreciate!
After the owner settled my little boy with a jigsaw and a pile of books (nice touch) at a very smart yellow bistro table (she bought from Marks and Spencer), I got down to the business of doing about 8 laps of the shop - a little shopping quirk I have perfected that frustrates my husband but is completely necessary so as not to miss anything, you understand.
I finally settled on this sweet little strawberry keyring as a treat for myself and it is now swinging merrily from the back door. I have squirreled away a few other bits which I won't reveal as they are pressies. The keyring is by The Apple Cottage Company and I was delighted to hear they are based in Johnshaven itself. They have featured in Country Living magazine and have some beautiful things for sale on their website.
Around the corner from the studio I wished I was dangling the keys for this...
On one hand it is sad to see so many holiday homes going up for sale in these small communities but it's also an opportunity to attract more permanent residents - maybe young families that will keep the schools going. Up until now these types of properties were like gold dust with prices to match.
Back home, I noticed that there is a bit of a strawberry theme going on in the Clover Yard House.
Good old British Home Stores has a lovely vintage inspired range at the moment, including these sweet plastic tumblers, perfect for little hands. I suppose I should confess to the picnic hamper bought at BHS too - a complete bargain I thought at £25 and soooo Cath. My one is a 2 person set but I've just gone on to their website and you can get the 4 person hamper for £35!!! AND, you also get it with a strawberry patterened liner!
A tin sign picked up at Matalan earlier this week. Perhaps I will get round to growing some of my own next year.
I snapped this tea cosy at St Andrews at the Alanhill Fruit Farm who also do fabby jam with Cath Kidston covers on.
The cosy wasn't for sale but I have found one on Folksy along with a few other juicy strawberry goodies.
Bon apetit! x
I have just checked out the Starfish Studio, the pictures of how the studio was before/after are great.
What a great little find and on your doorstep.
Loving the BHS tumblers, I may have to pay them a visit!
Vanessa x
Posted by: Vanessa | 06/19/2009 at 08:36 AM
Carol, Great to see you back online, I have really missed your postings. You really are an inspiration to many people but especially me. To continue the strawberry theme, there are some great strawberry items in Nova in Aberdeen - was tempted myself. Might check out starfish this weekend - it was closed when I got to JH this afternoon.
Posted by: SIL | 06/19/2009 at 09:34 PM
Oooohhhh....loving the strawberry finds! This year we planted 4000 strawberry plants, next year we will sell them and fill up our freezer for smoothies, cobblers, jam, sauces, pies or just plain with a topping of whipped cream or sugar. Strawberries are one of my favourite. I've really enjoyed this post and I'm on the hunt for a tin strawberry sign to put in our produce stand.
Marks and Spencer, we used to have those in Ontario and about 15 years ago they all closed. I LOVED that store and always found some great goodies, they had the best cookies/biscuits.
I'm off to check out the links you posted. Have a wonderful weekend! Hugs, Heather
Posted by: Heather | 06/27/2009 at 10:32 PM
Carol - great to hear your strawberry stories! It's always great to read about all your research and then check out all these fab little finds! Keep on blogging! It always brightens my day when I see you have posted something new!
Posted by: Moira | 08/02/2009 at 10:56 PM
Perhaps you would like this little gem.
http://www.marthastewart.com/good-things/strawberry-pincushions
Posted by: Isabelle | 09/05/2009 at 02:28 PM