Owner of Maldon's new craft shop reveals what she loves about her job
Laura Donovan has lived in Maldon for five years, and always thought that the High Street was missing an arts and crafts shop.
She opened Heart of Craft last month to fill this gap, and has been "loving hearing about and seeing people's artwork and projects" ever since.
"Chatting about arts and crafts all day really doesn't feel like work," she said.
Laura offers a range of arts and crafts to fulfill residents' project needs at her shop - from yarn, knitting and crochet supplies to artists' supplies, modelling clay and haberdashery items.
She also wants to evolve alongside customers.
"I'm trying to go with what people want," she said.
"People have been coming in and asking whether I have certain items - if I haven't got them, I've been making a note and I expand the stock according to that."
She has just received a big delivery of embroidery threads and cross stitch supplies, and will soon be stocking fabric in line with residents' requests.
"There's so many things people have asked for - I get in the most popular items first and just work from there, keeping it as flexible as I can," she said.
The shop is already a hit amongst residents.
She said: "So many people have been saying that we've needed an arts and crafts shop for such a long time, so it's really encouraging.
"Everyone's been really positive - it's been lovely."
The knitted bike that sits outside Laura's store, which she made prior to opening, has also been grabbing people's attention.
"Little kids love it," she said. "There's been a couple who have tried to jump on it and ride it down the High Street."
As well as being a colourful addition to the High Street, Laura wants her shop to be sustainable and adaptable.
"If I haven't got something, I can order it in," she said. "I'm open to suggestions."
Heart of Craft can be found at 1 High Street, Maldon.
You can visit its Facebook page using the link here.
The Keep it Local campaign is being launched through Maldon District Council's Sense of Place initiative, with funding from the Magnox Decommissioning Fund.
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