A START-UP craft shop is celebrating its first anniversary with the launch of an exclusive Teesdale wildflower range.
Fresh Craft and Interiors was started in Middleton-in-Teesdale last year as a venue for artists and craftspeople from the dale to market and sell their products.
The brainchild of resident Jane Addison, the little shop above Cafe Fresh, on Horsemarket, has grown substantially to now include 22 artists and craftspeople.
Mrs Addison said: “It has gone really well. New businesses like this have a limited market, but we have something for everyone.
“We’ve been called a treasure trove and an Aladdin’s den. We had a gentleman come up who called us a cornucopia of delights. We have jams, chutneys, biscuits, cards, books – you name it and we’ve got it.”
She added that items bought from the shop have gone across the globe to countries including Japan, Australia, France and America.
The latest addition to the shop is artist Jenny Bell, who has made an exclusive Wildflowers of Teesdale range specifically for the shop.
Mrs Addison said: “Wildflowers of Teesdale is special for us, and has got the thumbs up from botanist Dr Margret Bradshaw.”
The design includes blue gentian, orchid, harebell, bird’s eye primrose, viola and foxglove which has been printed on pottery, cards and other items.
The anniversary was marked with a special cake baked by Sarah Johnson of Cafe Fresh.
Mrs Addison thanked Cafe Fresh owners Phil Dawson and Chris Johnson for the use of the premises.
