Craftseller - November 2014

Craftseller 61

ON THE MOVE

We Oxford!

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ouknowhow the saying goes, you
have to go off the beaten track to
uncover the true treasure trove.
Oxfordmaybebestknown as a centre of
learning or as the murder-mysteryhome to
inspectors Morse andLewis,but veer away
from the obvious expectations, and amble
throughtheold-worldmystique andcobbled
stone streets andthere’s somethingfor the
craftlovers in this medieval town.

WELCOME TOCRAFTYOXFORD
Perhaps the best place to begin your crafty
spending spree is in the famed covered
markets. There is an immediate air of

enchantment asyou dip out of the crowded

HighStreet andinto thisbeguilinglabyrinth

ofindependent shops andboutiqueshousing

everythingfromflorists,bakeries and

cobbler booths. Thepull of the markets lies

withthemelodyofshop-owner characters.

I found one such personalityinThe Hat

Box(thehatboxoxford.com)– a boutique

bursting at the seams with bespoke millinery

makes. Here, Gillian Senior, whohas run the

shoebox-sizedstorefor tenyears, sitshappily

cocoonedbyacolourful arrayoffascinators

andfedoras.

Gillianworkswith British millinerstocreate

custom-made piecesforherdiverse range of

clients in addition to providing afast-tailor

service. It’swellwortha visitjust to marvelat

the hat festooned décor – no space is left bare.

“It’s an uplifting business to be in,” chirps

Gillian as she arranges a peacockishfeather

piece on her bounce of curls. “Generally, a

hat is a luxury buy - purchased for a happy

occasion. It’s great to be part of that!”

AWHOLE WORLDOF DELIGHTS

For finds with a more cosmopolitan flourish,

a rummage inRed Opia,onMarket Streetisa

must. A treasure trove ofhandmade goodies

thathave eitherbeen personallyselectedor

madeby its owner, Ratana Brooker. Products

Darn It And Stitchh

a tempting‘sweet shop’

for the crafty inclined...