Made in Ashford a collaborative and creative shop in Ashford.
Made In Ashford, a collaborative and creative shop hosting a collection of Ashford based independent businesses is run by Melissa Dawkins.
Made in Ashford is all about making creativity accessible. The business supports over 50 different small independent retailers in their shop which are all handmade locally designed products .
Melissa says- “we have an eclectic mix of retailers. We lots of illustrators who create everything from bone china cups to little cards etc and other illustrators creating bold, retro, fabric based products. We stock children’s clothes that are organic, fun prints as well as having businesses focused on creating items to reduce single use plastic. We even have driftwood or foraged items that are turned into little fairy dens for children. We are primarily aimed at the gift market”
Their story:
Made in Ashford had a website pre the pandemic however had to improve it quickly so they could support the sellers during lockdown. They began doing online makers markets to have another platform to sell and because they are a community they had regular online meet ups, touching base regularly.
Melissa feels they all really lost out on that community element having that physical touch point. “Lots of workshops had to stop and it left a void for people’s wellbeing. I tried to put a lot of creativity online, any colouring sheets we had free downloads, live craft alongs etc meaning our members still had money coming through and the community still had access to get creative.
One of the best things we did was Joining forces with a local scrub making company and raised 15K as well as getting all of their crafters together in a big sewing effort to make new scrubs for local care workers.
For VE Day they created an activity pack that was a free download, biggest social media success that she has ever had showing that people really did want to support causes even during LockDown.
“Lots of workshops had to stop and it left a void for people’s wellbeing”
How can you support them:
Customers can support us now by supporting our retailers. If you live locally pop in and see us or shop online via our website.
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Check them out live along with other local businesses here on Ashford’s High Street Guide and see who else you can discover in Ashford #shoplocal #ashford
