Bricks & Mortar: Little Shop

By Diane Leyman Little Shop is a lovely indie emporium owned and run by self-taught creative and crafter Bec Albinson. After years working as a product designer and experiencing great success selling her own line of jewellery at markets around Melbourne, Bec developed a pretty good head for business and decided to open up a shop close to her home in Carnegie, not only as an outlet for her own work, but also as a way to promote other local independent designers.

Bec originally set up Little Shop in a tiny retail space, but just a couple of months ago relocated to a slightly bigger space around the corner. She completed the fit-out herself, including sourcing her beautiful tables and displays, and the result is a warm and welcoming space full of colour, with beautiful handmade items every which way you turn.

The philosophy behind Bec’s business is to keep things local and affordable. When the shop first opened Bec stocked handmade and crafted goods made in Melbourne and rural Victoria. And although the new space has allowed Bec to broaden the variety of items she stocks, including adding clothing and wares from some interstate and international makers, the range continues to be 90% locally-made, with most gift items under $50. It’s a concept that seems to be working a treat, especially among local customers who love having Little Shop in the area.

Some of the items you'll find in Little Shop include heirloom seeds from the Little Veggie Patch Co, geo pop necklaces from Fruitloop, wooden bangles from Treehorn, greeting cards from Able & Game, hot water bottle covers from My Poppet, cushions from Aunty Cookie, tote bags from Bob Boutique, and of course Bec’s own Little Shop range of jewellery (among plenty of others).

I’ll be the first to admit that I’m a big fan of Bec’s work and adore her laser-cut wooden brooches, but Bec herself is also a real inspiration – not only does she run a successful business, she also designs her own products, which are now stocked in approximately fifty shops. On top of all that, when I visited, Bec told me that she also has a brand new product range coming out in a couple of weeks. Talk about a multitasker! Keep an eye on the Little Shop website for details of the new range, and in the meantime you can visit the Little Shop online store or in person at 2 Woorayl St, Carnegie.

Diane Leyman is a freelance editor, proofreader and project manager with more than seven years of experience working in non-fiction illustrated trade book publishing. She has a passion for all things design, and writes a design blog called Notes to a Further Excuse. She also likes taking photographs, crafting, drinking coffee and obsessing over mid-century homewares.