Just over a year ago, when a Proserpine local opened a pop-up shop during the Christmas period she discovered a community of creatives that had an abundance of stock but nowhere to sell it.
This inspired her to transform her pop-up into a permanent store which now hosts the creative products of almost 40 small retailers, giving them a home in the “shop within a shop”.
Jade Richardson opened Proserpine Crafty Gifts over Christmas 2021, putting her husband’s empty tile shop project to good use by filling the leased space with hand-made colourful gift ideas.
Closing the shop in January, Jade soon realised she missed the community connection and soon decided to re-launch, but this time as Whitsunday Creatives.
“I have five children and I’d spent 11 years at home as a stay-at-home mum,” said Jade.
“It was great being back with the people, connecting with others and having fun!”
For the past 12 months, Jade has been carefully curating the ultimate gift store that is bursting with unique, often handmade treasures.
From homemade candles to leather purses, intricately designed jewellery, unique wooden chopping boards, colourful artworks, skin care products, soaps, local honey and sock savers.
“There are lots of little shops with the shop,” she said.
“We give people who wouldn’t usually be able to sell items through a shop the opportunity to be part of something.”
“They can play around with their product range, have fun with it and sell it easily so they can focus on the joy of making it.”
There are now over 35 local small businesses showcasing their products at Whitsunday Creatives and customers enjoy the diverse range of gift ideas, with the extra bonus of knowing each purchase supports a local.
Whitsunday Creatives was recently recognised for their efforts when they won an award for the Most Outstanding Whitsundays Retailer at the 2022 Whitsundays Tourism Awards.
Jade is now looking forward to expanding her offering by introducing a floristry to the store.
She also hosts a range of school holiday workshops including dream catcher making, flower arranging and jewellery making.
Jade Richardson, founder of Whitsunday Creatives. Photo credit: Rachael Smith
