A gem of an idea ?Ķ

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When Alison Frew needed down time from work, she started a hobby – making jewellery. Over more than a decade, that hobby snowballed. As Alison explains: ‘I was designing and making my own jewellery, traveling to more and more craft fairs.‘

For eleven years, Alison and her husband Ken would load their car and take off to fairs all across central and eastern Scotland. ‘It took over our spare time … our spare room and our dining table eventually disappeared! We thought long and hard and came up with an idea.‘ That idea was to open their own shop.

In the years of traveling and meeting like-minded artists and crafts folk, the Frews got to know a long list of crafters. Alison says: ‘There are so many incredibly talented people across Scotland – working from home, making stunning arts and crafts. We wanted to create a destination where we could showcase their work – and provide a permanent outlet for my own jewellery.‘

Hidden Gem Gifts was born. Today, the shop – on Ladywynd – is a must-visit for anyone in the area who is searching for unique, handmade products from Scotland. The husband and wife team’s passion for arts and crafts is evident to all who enter Hidden Gem Gifts. The shop is a veritable Aladdin’s cave filled with all manner of gift ideas. Alongside Alison’s jewellery you will find wooden crafts, tweed, hand painted cards, glass and metalware, ceramics, fabrics … all manner of handmade gifts to suits every taste and budget.

Eighty per cent of the shop’s goods are made in Fife – and that’s really important to Alison and Ken. They want their shop to showcase the very best local arts and crafts – and to be a showroom where new artists on the block have a chance to promote their crafts to a new audience. As Ken explains: ‘We can provide shelf space for new products – giving artists the opportunity to see if their new idea has a market. It works very well – and also ensures our shop always has new and interesting gifts on display.‘

Alison adds: ‘Quality is key for us. Quality is second to none and we are very proud to be supporting small businesses from across the county and beyond.’ Her greatest personal pride is to see customers buy the jewellery that she has designed and made. On a business level? “Opening the shop, being able to supply quality handmade products at an affordable price, hearing all the lovely comments from people about the products that we sell and having repeat customers who will come to our shop for gifts before buying on line.”

The Frews have created a wee gem in Cupar – and they are as equally passionate about the town. Alison says: “Cupar is a warm, welcoming and friendly community. It has a lot more to offer if you take time to visit the pends and side streets as well as the main street. There are some lovely little shops and tea rooms.”

Need more?

The shop stocks an amazing array of products that Alison and Ken refresh on a regular basis.You can keep up to date on their new products by following them on Facebook. Right now, you’ll find the work of almost 30 different artists including …

Jewellery (including silver, wire wrapped gemstones, sea glass, fashion), tweed cushions, paintings, cosmetic bags, toilet bags, mugs, vegan soaps, shampoo bars and creams, funny coasters, mugs and little wooden balloon pictures, soy wax melts, crochet baskets, face scrubbies, soap bags, pom pom hats, snoods, wooden candle stick holders, mirrors, clocks, bowls, angels, dishes, apples, mushrooms, fused glass wall hangers, trinket dishes, lanterns, tea light holders, handmade cards, baby mementos, wedding horseshoes, soy candles in little tea cups and saucers, portmerion trinket dishes, painted pottery owls, fairy houses, gnomes, decorated slate wall hangers, beeswax wraps, tartan wreaths, cross stitched cards, recycled wooden pallets, hand Painted glassware, children’s bunting, aprons, microwave bowl hugs, tissue holders, novelty knitted tea cosies, book cushions (have a pocket to keep your book in), scottie dog cushions, pyrography chopping boards, memory boxes, signs, paracord bracelets and glue pictures.

Pop in to see them at 7 Ladywynd – or call them on 07738 469986 if you have a question.

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