Lovedge stocks the best of British-made gifts and homeware

Boutique owner KT Johnston took the mantra Buy British to heart when she opened her new shop in Cheltenham.

The idea for Lovedge came from a long-held desire to open her own shop and this summer KT finally realised her dream.

Situated on the bustling thoroughfare of Suffolk Road, Lovedge slots in very nicely between the quirky and off-beat shops of this thriving quarter of the town.

After an early career in marketing, KT found herself at a crossroads and knew this was her chance to strike out on her own.

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"I could either take a promotion but remain where I was or take the chance to follow my dream and I decided to go for it," she said.

"I decided on the British theme because I wanted a unique shop selling things that supported producers from our own shores.

"I also think consumers are much more aware and care more about where the things they buy come from."

KT has several ranges that come from local makers as well as others from further afield.

Lovedge sells a variety of gifts and home items, including jewellery, candles, cushions and rugs, ceramics and skincare.

It also has a range of unusual cards and wrapping paper, as well as stationery.

"All the items have been made in small runs by makers who value original design and quality above cheapness and mass production," said KT.

These include hand-printed purses, mirrors and washbags by Megan Alice England and ceramic nick-nacks by Kath Cooper, both from Cheltenham.

"There is so much great stuff being produced in this country by local people, it seems only right to support them rather than going abroad for products," said KT.

The jewellery KT stocks comes in three price ranges, from the high end sterling silver and gold-plated collection by Katie Mullally, the mid-priced stainless steel, laser cut necklaces by Ridley & Douse and the affordable range of silver and gold-plated necklaces by Cinderella B.

KT has chosen her products with care, travelling around the country, visiting makers and craft fairs to get the best items for her customers.

"With things like candles I choose ones that I like of course, but also perhaps scents that I think will appeal to customers but not that I would necessarily choose myself," she said.

One of her bestsellers is a range of wooden postcards called Timbergrams, which can be used like ordinary postcards and sent through the mail.

"As far as I'm aware I'm the only place that sells these in this area," she said.

KT hopes to extent her range as the shop becomes more established.

Find Lovedge at 19 Suffolk Road, Cheltenham.