10 years! 🌟 Where does the time go?
Sometimes it feels like just yesterday we welcomed folks into the shop for the very first time. Other days, it feels like we’ve been doing this forever! Our decade serving this community has ebbed and flowed, much like the River Exe right outside our door.
It all started with a simple dream: to create a dedicated community fibre arts space. Mary Ann Jennings and I spent hours talking about how incredible it would be to build something like this right here in St Thomas. Before long, we found our perfect space and began planning our grand opening. We will always be deeply grateful to Mary Ann for her vital financial contributions and the immense hard work she put into getting the shop ready.
While we proudly opened our doors together on 31 May 2016, the intense pressures of running a new business meant our partnership eventually came to an end. Despite parting ways, the core of that shared dream never changed.
We wanted a space where people could discover fibre crafts, forge lifelong friendships, and truly connect. By structuring the business as a Community Interest Company (CIC), we ensured our profits would always flow back into the community through outreach work. On the retail side, we poured our hearts into sourcing quality yarn, beautiful accessories, and engaging workshops to build a strong foundation.
None of this journey would be possible without the incredible team working behind the scenes. We are profoundly grateful to our exceptional staff—Ella Austin, Gail Cheriton, Dylan Brice, Trudi Johnston, and Hannah Slajus—whose dedication keeps the shop vibrant and welcoming every day. A massive, heartfelt thank you also goes out to the much-loved Nicki Duminel and Nattie Raybould, whose lasting impact and warmth continue to be a cherished part of our story. And we can't forget our workshop leaders who so eagerly share their time and talent with you! We are truly blessed.
Admittedly, running a small business mirrors the river—some seasons are a quiet trickle, while others are a roaring force. But through every high and low, it is the wonderful people walking through our door, buying yarn and sharing their makes, that keep us moving forward.Â
Thank you for connecting with us, learning with us, and creating beautiful things. Here's to 10 years of community!Â
All the best - Debbie Judd
We have hundreds of photos, so I selected a few from every May since 2016. Hope you enjoy it! Click here to view :-)