Creative family members have pooled their talents to open a shop selling customisable gifts.
Mother and daughter duo Joanne and Emma Wilson will be running Blueberry Cottage Gifts, which has just opened at Getliffes Yard, in Leek.
The Wilson family previously had an online gift shop and a stall selling rugs on the town’s Butter Market before it closed for refurbishment and briefly transferred that business to the outdoor market before deciding to take on the unit.
The new venture brings all their work together, selling items such as cards, mugs, prints and cushion covers in a variety of cheerful designs.
Joanne said: “It is so lovely to have all our work in one place. Between us, we have always done a bit of this, that and the other and now everything has come together.
“It feels so right. We couldn’t be happier.”
Joanne worked as a graphic designer creating adverts for corporate clients for many years.
Her designs for products in the shop feature drawings by her husband Simon, who studied at the London School of Cartooning.
Most of the gifts can be personalised and new designs can be created upon request.
Emma, who has run her own business helping small companies with their social media, is crocheting items such as Amigurumi toys to sell in the shop.
Blueberry Cottage Gifts will also stock resin art by Joanne’s brother Stephen Price and offer a carpet edging service.
The business has taken the unit previously occupied by Gifts by Janson and Kimberly, another store which relocated from the indoor market halls but closed when its owners decided to concentrate on other ventures.
Joanne has pledged her commitment to the town and plans to take up an indoor market stall once refurbishment work is complete as well as running the shop.
She added: “We have had amazing feedback about Blueberry Cottage already.
“There is nowhere better than Leek for supporting local shops and independent businesses.”
- Blueberry Cottage Gifts is holding a design a mug competition during the summer holidays. The winner will be presented with a mug featuring their design. For more information, check out the shop’s Facebook page here.
