MEET THE MAKER
MEET THE MAKER
Melissa Dawkins , Made in Ashford
Made in Ashford started as a pop up , how has the shop evolved over that time ? Our gorgeous little shop started with just 6 people , each of us taking turns working in the shop , and this was originally only going to last 3 months . It was actually very successful ( beyond what we could have ever imagined ) and that ’ s when we decided we wanted to stay open . However , due to other life commitments we were only able to work the shop one day a week ; the demand for more staff grew . Would you believe there are now 50 of us !
We have grown ; from a small retail shop to a recognised cultural , creative hub that supports makers from all across Kent . We like to get involved in as many local art projects as possible and love getting the community involved too . Made in Ashford has helped make creative business more sustainable in Ashford ; it ’ s supported the community and it ’ s a lovely place to live ! We are a social enterprise that continues to focus on the community .
Aye Aye is your baby and where the Made in Ashford journey began . Are you still creating work ? When do you find the time ? And , what ’ s your favourite piece / es ? I don ’ t find much time for Aye Aye anymore . I had to really refine my business model to just hair wraps , which I still sell in Made in Ashford and on Etsy . I had so many products previously and had the time to make lots of things ( like any good creative !). Now , I employ my mum who sews the headscarves for me and I do all the other side of it when I can .
The Craftship is your newest edition , what ’ s the inspiration behind it and what have you got in store for the space ? We have been running workshops upstairs in Made in Ashford for a while , we even had a gallery on our stairs and called it the Stairwell Gallery ( get it ?!). Accessibility is something we try hard to fulfil as we want creativity to be available to everyone in the community . This is what the Craftship is ; a workshop space , gallery and pop up to sell craft kits – the ultimate creative business hub .
What does the future look like for you and the Made in Ashford team ? Busy ! We are always busy , thinking about the next project or working out a new way of doing things . We hope that it will be filled with loads of new creative collaborations and work within the community . We also hope in the future to expand or move shop space . We have outgrown our little Made in Ashford shop , and with a bigger space , we could be home to more creatives . It would also be nice to have the Craftship in the same space so we are all under one roof ! That is the dream !
www . madeinashford . com madeinashford
My favourite pieces are the bridesmaid dresses I have made ! They are all really special to me ( and their brides hopefully !). I drafted my own patterns , and made them from photos in magazines . This involved a lot of problem solving and working out , which I love !
What ’ s your biggest achievement / highlight of your career so far ?
When a customer at our free craft activities wrote to me : “ Melissa , it has been awesome , big thank yous and hugs . My little girl and I have loved every craft we have booked and it has bonded us closer together . You are a light in dark times . With all my heart thank you .”
No award or achievement comes close to that ! That is what makes what we do so worthwhile . The same as seeing people with a ‘ hobby ’ for a business that starts off not turning over any money going on to being able to support themselves from a passion . That too is the best feeling .
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