Until recently I had not been creating much of anything
physical while I have been here in London. The reasons behind this are mostly
that I didn’t have a lot of room, time or tools. Until I began my master
dissertation pretty much all my work was digital. At the start my dissertation
was going to be a film on how the public interacts with art and then what that
looks like on social media. Then I changed it to a craftivism project, I know
that lines up so nicely with my last blog post (craft creates changes)
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the inside of a haberdashery |
One thing I did learn is that I miss the crap out of hobby
lobby and Michaels. Not just because they are huge! And they have pretty much
everything you could need. It was mostly just that I was missing something
familiar while I was struggling with this project. (I’m writing this in a small
park by church and a man just walked by grumbling that all the benches are
taken.)
While I did miss the familiarity of the stores back home, I
learned to something new about London that I love. Firstly, most craft or art
stores are called haberdasheries. How freaking adorable and quaint is
that! Second they are mostly local
independent stores, there are a few chains but they are mostly for art
supplies. One is called Cass Art Supply
and if you are in need to paint, paper or other drawing, paint, basic supplies
Cass is the place to go.
But the local places will have a speciality, one in Kingston
is focused on sewing, it has a few other things, but you walk in a think, dang
it’s all fabric, but walk in a take a peek and you will find tucked away in the
corners, various other things. These shops are staffed by very helpful people,
who if they don’t have what you are looking for they know who might, and where
to find them.
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my local haberdash, in wimbledon |
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how cute is this bike sign!? |
When I needed to find a heat transfer pencil for my master dissertation
piece, I went to 4 different stores each of whom suggested another place to go
and try. Only one place had what I needed
but I never would have gone there if it wasn’t for the staff at the other
haberdasheries. Which is called so
because the origin of the word is in Anglo-Saxon, for small wares. Haberdashers were salesmen that carried small goods
mostly for sewing and travelled around to the villages. Now there are haberdasheries
all over the UK that are little local shops full of charm and local crafters. And
while there is more and sometimes better selection on line or in big stores,
which they do have in the UK, I love the feel and atmosphere of the
haberdashery.
What do you prefer? Small shop or big store? Do you like a combination of both, or do you
get your supplies online? Let us know in the comments below! And be sure to
check out Handmade in KC on this site or on our facebook page!
Ta ta!
Amy, From X37Adventures