For many years I have held on to a big dream. It’s one I have discussed before and it’s one I think about daily. If you have been here for a while you will probably have guessed that the dream I refer to is opening a physical shop space.
I have been carrying this dream now for ten plus years. It started way before I even began The Maker’s Stash. The thought started to manifest itself when I started my first business Miss Leela Handmade. It was simple really; I wanted to own and run a patchwork shop.
Since that notion first entered my mind, it has slowly evolved and grown with time. When I started The Maker’s Stash online shop, I always had it in the back of my mind that my business would grow beyond the internet, and I would find myself in a bricks-and-mortar store.
I knew it wouldn’t be something that was going to happen quickly. Many things needed to fall into place to make a shop a reality. There was also life in general to consider. Having our first child Matilda in 2016 and then our second Leo in 2020 were big life changing things. As we settled into parenthood and I into being a mother, I knew my shop was going to have to wait.
When the dream first began, I was still working full-time as an Interior Designer, and we’d just bought our second home—with a bigger mortgage. Quitting a well-paid job to open a shop felt impossible, maybe even irresponsible.
But life has a way of shifting. With baby number two on the way, a milestone birthday approaching, and 15 years in my career, I could feel change brewing. My love for my craft and business was beginning to outweigh my passion for design. The long commute and late nights were wearing thin.
Then my boss—an incredible woman—announced she was stepping back from her business. She kindly offered to keep things going so I’d have a role to return to after maternity leave. That was the push I needed.
In May 2020, we welcomed Leo to the family, and soon after, I quit my design job and entered a partnership to open an artisan and handmade shop. I hoped it would provide flexible hours, income, and a chance to grow The Maker’s Stash while testing the waters of shop life and building new skills.
It started well, but after a year we lost two partners, the workload doubled, and the financial downturn hit hard. My passion for that business faded as dreams of my own shop returned. We saw out the lease, and I finally stepped into The Maker’s Stash full time.
It’s been over a year now, and lately, my thoughts have turned again to the Dream Shop. I’d always imagined 2026—when Leo starts school—would be the perfect time. I hoped by then I’d have built up the funds and the market would be steadier. But neither has quite gone to plan!
Despite this though, the dream is burning brighter than ever before. I can see my shop in my mind, I can open the door and walk in, imagine myself standing behind the counter and welcoming customers. It’s time to start making the dream a reality through any means possible.
Making a Dream Come True – the To-Do List
- Raise, beg or borrow $30K to $40K – to cover bond, opening costs, signage, shop fit out and stock.
- Inspiration – create a design board for the look and feel of the shop.
- Shop design – what equipment, furniture, displays do I need. What do I have already that can be used and what will I need to buy.
- Planning – what will I stock, what classes and events will the shop hold.
- Find a space for the shop
Why This Dream? Because it’s more than just a shop.
My shop will be a place where I can celebrate my passion and love for slow stitching, books, gardening, vintage and tea with other likeminded people. I want to go to work every day and feel inspired by everything that surrounds me and to in turn inspire others.
From the outset I don’t want to be just another patchwork shop. I aim to create a cozy and beautiful space, inspired by vintage florals, and a granny chic, country cottage style. I want to create a retail experience like no other, like you’ve walked into your Granny’s house, and you immediately feel like you’ve been enveloped in a warm hug.
My retail offering will extend beyond just patchwork, fabric and haberdashery supplies but include tea, books, vintage linens and items and a selection of giftware and gardening related items. Everything will be highly curated to reflect my vintage floral style, creating a unique shopping experience for lovers of vintage, whimsical and pretty things.
Creating a space for connection is at the heart of my vision. I want to offer a welcoming place where customers can gather over tea and a sweet treat, relax at a communal table to stitch and chat, and take part in workshops or casual crafty meet-ups. A dedicated workshop space will let me share what I love, teach and learn alongside others, and help build a creative, inspiring community.
I plan to share the journey of opening my shop—the highs, lows, and everything in between—as a way to document the process and bring you along for the ride. In the next chapter, I’ll share more about the inspiration and vision behind the dream.
Happy Stitching, and Dream Big,
Miss Leela xx
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