A GALASHIELS craft shop is celebrating its first anniversary after the owner turned her hobby into a business.

Over the past year, Handy Crafts by Alexis Shillinglaw, in Channel Street has been altering clothing and even providing a pick-up and drop-off service to those who need it.

The store also stocks handmade jewellery, as well as souvenirs such as paintings and purses – all made by owner Alexis.

She told the Border Telegraph: “We have had people come in and say ‘great we’ve got a dress maker – we didn’t know you did that’. 

“And over this year we have made 476 separate alterations alone, so we are delighted with the first year.

“People have been coming from all over to the shop; we’ve had one customer came down from Newtongrange and we’ve even had someone travel down from Hamilton. 

“He was on holiday here when he asked us to repair a leather jacket and he is travelling back to collect it. We couldn’t believe it.”

Self-taught Alexis says she has “turned her hobby into a business”.

She added: “I used to work for the NHS, so when that stopped I was looking for something. It was my husband David who said why don’t you take on the shop, because that is what you’re really good at.

“As well as the alterations, I have also taught myself how to do watercolour, acrylic and oil paintings and have painted things from the Borders, such as the Luggate Bridge and Flying Scotsman. I have even made bespoke jewellery.

“We have had the opportunity to move to another premises, but this is the right place for us at the moment, as it suits our business.

Alexis has also started a new service at the shop, making adjustments to kilts by hand.

She said: “I took a course to learn how to make alterations to kilts after Tartan plus Tweed on Bank Street asked if I could do it. 

“I enrolled on the Border Kilt School course near Duns every Thursday night for eight weeks and qualified just before Christmas.

“It is all hand-done and it is a truly unique artform. The kilts are made to last 30 years.

“It would be great if Heriot-Watt start teaching kilt alterations, because it’s a great way to go back to your heritage.”

Husband David has also been lending a hand in the shop, when he has not been working.

Alexis said: “I have had fantastic support from my family and from other businesses.

“David is a full-time carer with the Richmond Fellowship, looking after people with autism. But on his days off he’s in here to help out. We’re hoping that eventually we are able to both work here full time.”

But it’s not just family support which has made the shop a “thriving” business.

“We have had support from other local businesses,” added Alexis. “When we first started, local sign-maker Invision donated an industrial sewing machine, which has given us a fantastic opportunity to build the business up.

“And not too long ago another local shop sent a customer in to take up the sleeves on his new suit, so it’s nice that we can all work together.

“We don’t know what will happen five years down the line, but we know we need to keep on offering our alteration service, because that is our bread and butter.

“It is a different service because we can pick-up and drop-off the items for just £2.50, for a five-mile radius.”

The store is also planning to celebrate it’s official anniversary on Friday.

Alexis said: “We are having a celebration on Friday at the shop from 9am until 5pm, for our first year.

“Any of our customers will be more than welcome to pop in for a light buffet and some non-alcoholic drinks, to say thank you to them.”