People sometimes assume that if something is handmade, it must automatically be right for Just Makers.
In reality, we have to say no to the work we are shown more often than we say yes.
That might be surprising if you have visited the shop. Our shelves are usually pretty full. We sell everything from small cards and Yorkshire themed gifts to ceramics, jewellery and original artwork.
The aim has never been to run a sparse gallery.
What we want, first and foremost, is to be a bloody good shop(!)... A place where you can pop in for a card, find a thoughtful gift or fall in love with a piece of art you didn't expect to take home.
But even in a busy shop, everything here still has to earn its place. Over time, we've developed a fairly strong tat radar which certainly helps!
Being a bloody good shop
Running a small curated shop well is partly about knowing when enough is enough.
When you keep adding more products, it quickly turns into visual noise and it becomes much harder to notice the really good things. Being a bit more selective simply gives the work space to breathe.
So yes, our shelves can be full but we aim to avoid things feeling random.
What we look for
Choosing what to stock is not just about whether something looks nice.
We look at how the work is made, the skill behind it and the materials being used. We gravitate towards artists who take their craft seriously and who run thoughtful small businesses.
That means using materials that will last, sourcing carefully where possible and avoiding unnecessary plastic. None of this has to be perfect. It just needs to feel considered.
And of course, we do also like things that make people smile.
Yorkshire humour, sheep illustrations and slightly cheeky coasters absolutely have their place here. The difference is that even the lighter hearted pieces still come from artists whose work we respect.
Why artists sometimes change
Another thing customers occasionally notice is that artists rotate.
Someone might come in asking for something they remember seeing here a year or two ago and discover that we no longer stock that artist’s work. That is simply part of keeping the shop fresh.
Artists evolve and the shop evolves too. New work needs space, and we'd rather rotate thoughtfully than try to squeeze everything in.
Sometimes we also have to make more difficult decisions. Originality matters to us, and if work feels too close to someone else’s ideas, then it's not something we can comfortably continue selling.
Supporting artists also means respecting the originality of their work.
Why we focus on Yorkshire
Just Makers is also very much about celebrating artists from Yorkshire.
From time to time we come across work made elsewhere that we genuinely admire. But keeping our focus on Yorkshire artists helps give the shop its identity and keeps the story of the work connected to this place.
It's one of the key things that makes our small business feel like itself.
Not exclusive, just thoughtful
Being selective doesn't mean being exclusive.
We want people to feel comfortable browsing here, whether they are picking up a small card, a Yorkshire themed gift or a larger piece of art. Having a range of price points matters to us because well made things should be part of everyday life.
At the end of the day, it really comes down to trust.
If something is in the shop, it's here because we believe in the work and the person who made it.
And hopefully, for you, that makes choosing something a little easier.
