Woodland craft shop needs more suppliers
The Small Woods Association, in Coalbrookdale, is offering local craftspeople a new way to sell their products.
The Association has opened a shop selling locally sourced timber products and woodland artwork at the Greenwood Centre, and is appealing for more artists to submit pieces to sell.
"We are looking for more people who produce artwork and products from local wood," explains Luke Neal from the Small Woods Association. "To reflect the aims of our charity, the pieces should be handcrafted and made from sustainably sourced timber, ideally taken from local native woodlands.
“The key to long term sustainable woodland management is a market for the products produced from them. In our cruck barn we aim to provide a shop front for local woodworkers and promote the benefits and beauty of sustainable British wood products.”
The shop is based in the cruck barn at the Greenwood Centre. "It is a large space and ideal for the pieces we will be offering." says Luke. "The building was built, in 1987, by a team of volunteers using locally felled oak. Looking up at the roof you can see the hand cut timbers and traditional building methods that were used. It's a very special space."
The shop is already selling locally-produced shaker boxes, bowls, wall-hangings and kitchen equipment which can be taken away. Examples of larger pieces such as willow sculptures and hazel hurdles are being shown in brochures and can be delivered, or made to order.
"The cruck barn is a large space, and we are keen for it to show lots of examples of good craftsmanship and demonstrate the many forms sustainably sourced timber can take." says Luke.
Anyone who would like to submit their products, or artwork, for sale in the shop should contact Luke Neal on 01952 432769 or lukeneal@smallwoods.org.uk
The shop is manned by volunteers and is open from Wednesday to Sunday, when Cherry's Real Food Cafe on site is also open.
