By happenstance, I’ve been with Ashwood Manor Designs from the beginning — in the Fall of 2021. I was looking for a local shop where I could sell my greeting cards and thought The White Brick House could be a good fit. I visited there often as a customer and loved the idea of a small vendor space. When I contacted Peg, she told me a new owner was taking over. That’s how I met Sarah.
Since then, I’ve had a closet space on the second floor. My cards are the primary feature. But I fill it with vintage and found goods as well. At first, I wasn’t sure how I fit into the shop. As The White Brick House, the vendors were a mix of farmhouse and primitive country styles. With the new Ashwood Manor Designs, Sarah brought her vision.
It’s a little bit boho and modern, with touches of glam — overall an eclectic mix of treasures. There are several artists in the store, many artisans and makers, as well as, designers who curate a look for their space. You can always find a mix of old and new — clothing, jewelry, accessories, home goods, and gifts.
A Creative Community
The biggest appeal of a local store is that I’ve gotten to know other vendors. I like seeing what they make or curate in their spaces. Each month, each season, it breathes a little creative life into my world. It’s a low-stress creative exercise that I look forward to each time I update my space.
At times, I’ve thought about giving up my space. It’s really a hobby more than anything else. But, it challenges me creatively by reminding me to work on new designs and revamp the shelves. For example, I’ve had an idea for a new greeting card collection for years. But, I haven’t started it yet. My space in Ashwood keeps me on task to work on the designs whenever I have a spare moment. Ultimately, I’m grateful to be part of the creative community and appreciate all they do for vendors like me.
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About Danielle Verderame
I own a boutique Lynchburg Marketing agency called The Shop Shop. And it’s all focused on retail. Our small team specializes in marketing services for makers, eStores, and retailers. We’re ready to maintain, manage, and promote your store on any platform including WordPress, Squarespace, Shopify, Square Online (Weebly), Comment Sold, Pinterest Shops, and Meta (Facebook/Instagram) Shops. If you’re looking for marketing help, email me at danielle@theshopshop.co.
