As strong believers in local business, this Derbyshire Day we want to celebrate a few of the outstanding small businesses we stock from the local community.
Handmade Design is proud to be located at the heart of one of Derbyshire’s foremost market towns.
Our owner, Laura, is Derbyshire born and bred. She loves the county and enjoys exploring the local countryside and quaint villages. Since taking over the business in 2018, she has aimed to provide the best quality products from the finest local creatives.
What is Derbyshire Day?
Running since 2006, the event was first set up by BBC Radio Derby. Occuring every September 22nd, Derbyshire Day is a time to celebrate our county and all of its many talented people.
Whilst we stock the creations of micro businesses across the UK, today is about celebrating and showcasing local talent that’s right on our doorstep. You really don’t have to travel far to find art that is quirky and unique!
Duck & Peach
Our first fabulous Derbyshire Artist is Sophie from Duck and Peach.
Based in Belper, Sophie has been supplying her greeting cards and prints to Handmade Design since setting up her business in 2015.
Sophie is incredibly talented! As well as illustrating cards, art prints, coasters and more – she’s also written her very own children’s book as well as creating a beautiful mural our shop.
“I love creating colourful, cute and creepy-inspired illustrations, always with the intention to make you smile.”
Duck and Peach is lined up to be the next local artist to takeover our shop window. she will be the last one of 2022! Check back in October to see her spooky shop window display!
“I really love children’s literature and illustration, which is what inspired me to become an illustrator.”
Cow Close Mill
Created by Rob, Cow Close Mill produces an assortment of arts and crafts to brighten up any Derbyshire home!
Not only is Rob’s work individually handcrafted, but he also makes it his mission to produce products that are sustainable.
“My aim is to create an arts and crafts business that creates works of art and well crafted items for the home and garden, using found, re-used and re-purposed materials where possible.”
Rob’s work includes both detailed paintings – often of Derbyshire’s magnificent wildlife – and finely crafted carpentry.
For those interested in practical items, check out this handmade string holder – the perfect gift for a craft person!
Millie Moth
The last Derbyshire Artist we’re highlighting is Handmade Design’s very own Karen from Millie Moth!
Karen to those who know her from the shop – is the proud producer of her striking alcohol ink paintings.
With a background in visual design, Karen has been producing art since moving to Derbyshire in 2009.
“The creative community of makers and artists in Derbyshire is eclectic and vibrant and talking with them and seeing their work inspires me so much! Derbyshire itself is such a beautiful place to live, just heaving with gorgeous wildflowers and pretty country lanes – it can’t fail to make me happy & influence my work.”
With Derbyshire Day just around the corner, why not celebrate with one of her amazing sketches.
“One of my favourite pieces is called Wild Blues & Greens. It’s one I created digitally using one of my painted backgrounds layered up with lots of individual drawings and plant photographs, most of which were from my own garden. I love the simple colour palette of mainly greens with hints of blues and purples.”
Gifts for Derbyshire Day
One of our most popular ranges at Handmade Design is our Derbyshire themed gifts. Ranging from mugs with local Derbyshire dialect printed on to a tea towel of the map of Derbyshire. Our unique range of Derbyshire gifts have been sent all over the world – a lovely reminder of your favourite county! This range is available to purchase in our shop in Ashbourne or you can shop online here.
