My Blog List

Tuesday 1 October 2019

Made in Greenwich: a treasure-trove of eco-friendly gifts and local art


London’s fascinating and historic district of Greenwich has a brand new attraction that showcases the talents of local artists and craftspeople. Made in Greenwich is a shop/community hub just yards away from the Docklands Light Railway Cutty Sark station, and is packed with locally-made and exclusive goods that reflect the area.
You can find anything from a piece of beautiful jewellery to a colourful scarf, unusual lampshade, eye-catching cushion, flattering headpiece or even a macramé plant hanger.
There are beauty products, candles, pictures and bunting, while foodies can browse the local produce, safe in the knowledge that no air miles have been involved in their creation. And for those seeking a little souvenir of their visit, there are Made in Greenwich mugs and a range of beautiful cards.
The shop is the brainchild of GCDA – the Greenwich Co-Operative Development Agency – which aims to support people and enterprises in the area. The stock changes all the time. The shop’s curator, designer and writer Mary Jane Baxter, has a creative background that includes two craft books and being a judge on the popular BBCs daytime series Paul Martin’s Handmade Revolution, so is always on the lookout for new talent.
She has created a delightful interior that makes the most of upcycled material including surplus paint from The Forest Recycling Project and wallpaper remnants used in collages (donated by Pickwick Papers in Greenwich) to cover the doors. At the rear is a creative space that can be hired for workshops, pop-up events or training (above).
Some of the goods are created by Mary Jane herself, including these imaginative artificial flowers that feature re-used knitting needles and old maps. There will be a pre-Christmas celebration in December, but if you are already on the lookout for festive gifts, my advice is to get along there now, before the crowds descend.
Made in Greenwich, 324 Creek Rd, SE10 9SW. Open Thursday to Saturday 1000 – 1700, Sunday 1100 – 1700
Ph: 020 8269 4880