A TADLEY-based arts and crafts shop is celebrating its first anniversary.

Opened by Rebecca Hartle and Carman Carter, Damaris Crafts is celebrating its first anniversary on Friday, August 5.

Rebecca, who has more than six-years’ experience working in arts and crafts, said that she has enjoyed working with Carmen, saying: “Every day is brilliant.

“Opening up has been amazing, and just having Carmen on board has been great, she is so lovely to work with, we have a laugh!

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“We just really love it, and it is so nice to do something that we actually love.”

As part of the celebrations, the shop will hold an event on August 5.

Basingstoke Gazette: The event will feature an array of special offers for customers, including discounted prices and free patterns, alongside a raffle, refreshments and a lucky dip for children.

Rebecca continued: “It’s going to be a really fun filled day.

“We just thought we’d mark the moment, we’re not trying to big ourselves up, but it’s a big thing in the current climate to have the shop be open for a year and we’re really proud of ourselves.

“We want to say thank you to everyone who supported us.

“We love meeting new people, and we couldn’t have got through the last year without our lovely customers.

“We consider them our friends as well."

She added: “We want people to feel comfortable in our shop, and we have a sign on the door saying ‘Enter as strangers, leave as friends’.

“So, we couldn’t have done it without our customers, and we appreciate them so much.”

Carmen and Rebecca both wanted to honour their nans with their shop, with the shop’s name, Damaris Crafts selected in honour of Rebecca’s nan.

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The 43-year-old shop owner said: “It’s her middle name.

“She passed away a couple of weeks before I found out about my first shop.

“I really wanted to name it after her, because she taught me everything about crafts."

Rebecca called the shop “very community focused”.

The shop runs an array of workshops for people of all ages, including children’s groups and lessons for teenagers.

To find out more about the shop or to book to attend a workshop, visit Damaris Crafts Facebook page, facebook.com/DamarisCrafts.

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