AN alternative homeware shop and pottery studio is celebrating the obscure.
Owners Laura Brownsteele and her husband Steven opened the homeware, gift shop and pottery studio Obscuria, on Market Street in Hexham.
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Foraging giftsets, hand-painted leatherwork, room scents, candles, silver jewellery and tea varieties are just some of the many products on offer at Obscuria.
Laura and her family moved to Hexham in mid-2020, before opening the business on December 28, 2023.
"The shop is alternative homeware and gift items, we stock as many products made by local people as possible, so the artwork is all from people based in Northumbria and some Cumbrian-based artists."
Laura, who studied art and design at York St John University, wanted to open her own retail space selling items she's passionate about and celebrate local talent while offering a creative space for people to enjoy the art of pottery.
Workshops and courses for pottery beginners and experts alike are held at the studio.
"A lot of the feedback I've had from the six-week pottery courses was that it was their 'peace of the week', their day of the week where they'd come for good company, a relaxed atmosphere, and do something that takes your mind off the noise outside that."
Explaining the decision to name the shop Obscuria, Laura said: "We wanted something that alluded to what was inside and gave you an idea that it wouldn't be your average homeware shop - it's not Hallmark. We wanted to make the point that it was something different, and the fact I love obscure things."
She added the businesses' first few months have been "insanely busy" and shows no sign of slowing down.
"It's opened so many opportunities having the shop side of the business - even if I wanted to rein the pottery studio side back and just focus on making my own pottery, there's still the whole shop to help fund that.
"I hope there's enough variety so even if you wouldn't normally think that this kind of shop is the sort of stuff you would like, you still find something you do like and intrigues you," Laura said.
Shop dog Penny is also a firm favourite among customers.
A pottery club has also been launched at Obscuria for advanced potters needing studio space.
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