At a Christmas craft fair last year I discovered a charming and whacky business called Hellygog. In 2 days of freezing cold in a garden centre we chatted a fair bit.
A few weeks back I was contacted by Jude of Hellygogs. She and her husband were opening a shop at Logie Steading visitor centre (IV36 2QN) near Forres. A well established centre offering shopping, eating, heritage centre and riverside walks, this was a favourite with us to take the parents to when they were up visiting. It therefore was an inviting prospect for me to participate.
Jude was hand picking items from the crafters and artists she has met over the years. She had fallen in love with a crochet dragon doll I had on my stall last year. So much so that she eventually bought it.
She asked if I could possibly provide some crochet dolls and some bears. While pondering what fabrics to use for the bears I received an email from Johnstons of Elgin to say that they had placed bundles of end pieces of fabric in the shop for sale. As we were going to Elgin anyway that day I persuaded husband to go round that way. One touch of the cashmere bundles and I knew the bears for Hellygog just had to be made in cashmere, it’s so soft and tactile.
So, 4 completed bears and 4 dolls later and we take a trip through to Logie Steading. What a wonderful place Jude has created at Hellygog. Although the crafters rent a space she has mixed everything up so that everywhere you look in the shop there is a feast of creation to view. Even on the third time round the shop you are noticing things that you didn’t pick out on the first two walks round. I really do wish her all the best with this shop. If you ever find yourself on the Forres to Carrbridge road please pop in. In fact if you are up this way on holiday it would make a good day out doing the walk, take a picnic, browse the shops in the steading.
