New community shop Made in Huyton needs a little bit of love to help it grow

A new community shop, Made in Huyton, is showcasing and selling the work of local artists, makers and creatives.

And according to volunteer Phaedra Samantha: “It just needs a little bit of love to help it grow.”

She says: “We are trying to build something really special, and everyone is putting so much time and energy into it because it’s something we really believe in.

“Like a lot of community projects, it needs a bit more visibility to reach the people who’d genuinely connect with it.

“It’s a space that supports and showcases local makers, artists, and small creatives, and it’s all run with the support of volunteers and built around giving people opportunities, confidence, and a place to belong.”

Phaedra adds: “We are such a strong community and we are slowly getting there, but it would be great if more people came in for a potter – and came back!”

Made in Huyton was opened in October last year within the Make Huyton Village in Derby Road and is a collaboration between Make CIC and Pyromancy Productions of which Phaedra is founding director.

Pyromancy is a creative well-being organisation dedicated to enhancing community wellness through arts and engagement, and is focused on wellbeing crafts as well as Freedom and Flow, a flow arts movement-based workshop for those who don’t fit into the ‘normal exercise stuff’.

And a commitment to self-expression, well-being, and connection makes it – and Phaedra – the perfect partner to run the community-focused hub Made in Huyton.

“We help each other,” smiles Phaedra, 42. “A lot of people here are small independents, some are still hobbyists, and others are trying to make it a career.

“There are around 16 creatives and nine volunteers who help to run the shop, including myself. We charge a £10 shelf fee and take a 22.5% commission on sales which goes towards Pyromancy (because I pay the public liability insurance and do all the finances) and card fees – and 15% goes into a volunteers pot which we will divvy up at the end of the year or arrange an event as a thank you.

“We’re all big on recycling and sustainability and so we’ve kitted the shop out for free and it’s all looking kind of beautiful.”

Selling gifts, cards and art, the creatives there include:

Mersey Moon – handcrafted silver jewellery

Lisa Woods Home – wax melts, candles, diffusers, home fragrance gift sets

Darcie Doodles – paint your own plaster kits

Art by Katy Lancaster – greetings cards, key chains, scrunchies and earrings

Olivia McIntosh Art – paintings and more … and so much more, from honey, to illustrated prints and sculptures, wellbeing colouring books and journals, and crochet.

“There are lots of charity shops, coffee shops, barbers and vape shops in the village and we are trying to give people a reason to come to the area and spend more time here and get something original, whether that’s a gift for someone else or themselves – we’re big into self-love too.

“Sometimes it’s about treating yourself to a gorgeous painting, or a pair of earrings or some crystals!”

Phaedra goes on: “We’re based in the old Boots store and the outside doesn’t necessarily reflect what’s inside, but Made in Huyton is a real hidden gem and we’re sure that if people come in and look around, they will love it.

“We’re excited about it and the customers will only benefit from that.”

Made in Huyton is currently open from Thursday to Saturday between 11am and 4pm, and there are hopes that it can open more as well as, eventually, launch monthly crafting workshops and talks to both inspire and encourage the artists already there and new ones who might go in.

“It’s more than just a shop,” says Phaedra. “Every item is handmade or curated with passion and skill and this is a place people can come to to get things that are different. You can even customise and commission things.

“We couldn’t do it without the support of Make. It’s a dinky little store filled with love and which we think people will love once they discover we’re here.

“So please, come in, have a walk round and enjoy everything we have that’s all Made in Huyton.”

Made in Huyton is within Make Huyton Village, 47-49 Derby Road, Huyton L36 9UQ.

Follow @madeinhuyton on Instagram to find out more.

Woolton Picture House has been saved following incredible fundraising initiative HERE.