New craft shop in Lybster hopes to tap into the NC500

A new shop show casing a wide range of local crafts is set to open in Lybster next week.

The Lybster Studio, located in the village's Main Street next to the community centre, is being opened by Jane Pullen and her brother Richard Westcott on Tuesday, June 1.

Originally from Devon, they both lived in Shetland before coming to Caithness just over two months ago. While in Shetland, Jane designed her own floral arrangements using the French beading technique, while Richard made glass beads using them to create pieces of jewellery. They were both on the Shetland arts and crafts' trail. Richard now produces his jewellery under the name of Lybster Glass Beads.

Jane explained: "For the first week I will be open every day, subsequent weeks it will be Thursday to Sunday from 10am-5pm. The shop will double up as my workshop, so if I am in the workshop the shop could be open."

She is hoping to have a good selection of crafts from local people on view including cushions, crochet and knitted items, mugs, scarves, gemstone jewellery, wax melts, cards, felted pictures, goat soap and wood scroll work.

"I have always wanted to open a craft shop – it would be nice to have another shop in Lybster, something different not only for the locals but for tourists as well," said Jane.

"We are going to see what the footfall is like this year, if it is good we might advertise on the NC500 website and hopefully get ourselves known via that channel."

Work has steadily been progressing on the interior of the shop with display shelving in place along with a counter. A sign will be placed outside the premises once approved by planning.

Any local crafty folk interested in having work on display at the new venture can find more information on The Lybster Studio Facebook page.

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