Page 61 - Phonebox Magazine July 2014

Unique gift shop opens its doors
Afterglow Originals
Diana Harris always loved shopping in Olney, so when it came to opening her very own upcycling gift shop, she felt it was the perfect town for it.
The owner (pictured bottom right) of Afterglow Originals, which opened in June on the High Street South, said: “It’s an ideal place for a shop like this, and I like to think there’s a little gap for people who love creating things, but alongside the lovely gift shops and art galleries.”
Based in Little Houghton, Northamptonshire, Diana creates decoupage customised guitars and ukuleles herself, with other designers’ pieces lining the shop’s shelves.
Based from Kettering to Whaddon, from North Crawley to Wellingborough, they include I Love My Home, Carrington Antiques and Collectables, Katiekid and Little Eccentric, among others. Diana added: “I’ve met a lot of people through vintage fairs in the area, which I’ve been doing to for a couple of years now.
“There is such a welcoming community in upcycling and handmade crafts. People genuinely want to help each other, rather than seeing them as competitors.”
After opening its doors on June 14, Afterglow still has room for other designers too: “It would great to meet more people that make beautiful things and would benefit from having a base in Olney.” Afterglow is open from 10am-3pm Tuesday and Wednesday, 10am-4pm Thursday and Friday and 10am-5pm on Saturday. It will also be open when events take place on a Sunday, such as the monthly farmers’ market.
For more information call (01234) 240730 or go to afterglow-originals.com. (35 High Street South, Olney, Bucks MK46 4AA)
Phonebox Magazine 61