Every Monday this Summer, we will be meeting the faces behind the independent businesses based here at The Village at Barleylands. First up, Katie from our Marketing Department spoke with Denise from Craft Arena. The large studio sells a wide range of embroidery, knitting, crochet and haberdashery supplies. The studio is also home to an art gallery AND as if that wasn’t enough, you can join in with their regular classes and workshops, which include needlework, sewing and textile art.
Hi Denise, please introduce yourself and your business…
“Hi, my name is Denise from Craft Arena. We sell embroidery, knitting, crochet and mixed media supplies, books, sewing machines and haberdashery plus lots more! We have an art gallery which has a different exhibition every month and we hold classes and workshops.”
That is certainly enough to keep you busy! How long have you been based here at Barleylands?:
“We have recently celebrated our 14th anniversary at Barleylands.”
Congratulations! It may be hard to choose but what is your favourite part of your job?:
“Meeting our lovely customers and helping them with whatever they need.”
And what do you like about being based here in The Village at Barleylands?:
“The relaxed atmosphere, rural location and friendly colleagues.”
Which studio (apart from your own of course!) is your favourite to visit in The Village?
“Tiptree Tearooms – I do like a cream tea!”
We can’t blame you for that! And if one of our readers wanted to visit you for the first time, where should they go within the Village?
“Come up the walkway, keeping the farm on your right, go up the steps (or slope) and either enter through the door to the stairs and lift, where you can find us upstairs at the end of the corridor, or go up the spiral staircase and turn left. We are in Studios 49, 50 and 51”
And for those that would prefer to find you online, where can they find you?
Thank you to Denise for her time and we hope you all pop in to her studio to say hi, or connect online using the links above!
You can join us next Monday to meet another independent business owner based here at The Village at Barleylands.
