What are the opening hours?

Monday 10:30am - 4:30pm Thursday 10:30am - 4:45pm Friday 10:30am - 4:30pm Saturday 10:30am - 4:30pm Sunday 11am - 4pm

MakerCulture

We promote the work of artists, makers, designers and manufacturers who reuse and repurpose material and objects found in the built environment or in nature.

Our ethos is to offer high quality products made from recycled materials, here in the UK.

21/12/2023

We are open until Saturday 23rd!

Come to Stable Yard in and peruse the wonderful shops we have on offer. It looks especially pretty and twinkly too.

20/12/2023

'Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.'

- Leonard da Vinci.

If Christmas is feeling a bit too much, sometimes it is nice to pare it right back.

By stripping away the excess layers and buying , you can sit down, relax, and know you're not adding to the waste problem.

Being sustainable doesn't necessarily mean you deprive yourself, it can be a wholesome, creative and liberating process.

After all, quality is better than quantity.

18/12/2023

Let's wrap this up.

For the eco-conscious, you don't have to stick to newspaper or parcel paper to wrap your presents - wrapping paper can be stylish AND ethical.

We stock wrapping paper from , which does a beautiful range of designs on recycled and recyclable paper using vegetable inks.

This paper is so green, you can even compost it!

Available in our store and on our website - link in bio.

14/12/2023

gifts for her...

If you are looking for gifts made from or materials made by local artists, makers and manufacturers - we've got you!

Many of these products are totally unique and you won't find them anywhere else. Pop in and hear the behind these items, or browse our online shop! Link in bio...

13/12/2023

This Christmas is looking greener...

Instead of plastic decorations, we are enjoying making festive displays using nature's bounty and products made from materials.

With candles made from recycled wax, and glassware made from recycled glass - this Christmas is looking greener than ever!

Pop into our shop to discuss how to have an Christmas, or order online - link in bio.

12/12/2023

*CHRISTMAS OPENING TIMES*

If you are feeling very last minute this year, don't worry - we are open until the 23rd of December!

11/12/2023

Is there such a thing as ethical wrapping paper?

According to waste management company BIFFA, we throw away 227,000 miles of wrapping paper away every year at Christmas.

This is enough to wrap around the earth 8 times.

The question is, why is all this paper going to landfill and not being recycled? Because a lot of wrapping paper contains plastic, or is scrunched up and so cannot be processed.

There is another way...we stock beautiful wrapping paper that is not only recycled, but it can be recycled too. As it contains vegetable inks, it can also be composted!

For guilt-free wrapping in a range of beautiful prints - visit our shop or website - link in bio.

09/12/2023

gifts for him.

It can be really hard to know what to buy people. For unique gifts made from or materials and made by local artists, makers and manufacturers - look no further!

- Coffee cup made from recycled cups.
- Washbag made from repurposed sails.
- Adventure knife made from discarded fishing nets.
- Valet trays and glasses case made from leather offcuts.
- Pens made from reclaimed wood of historical significance.
- Notebooks made from coffee grounds and agricultural pulp.

04/12/2023

The Christmas display is up!

We did resist for as long as possible...but now there is no excuse not to be festive and as the nights draw in - it's nice to have a little sparkle...

01/12/2023

What's better than a Cirencester Christmas?

With its picturesque houses, twinkly lights and fantastic gift shops - this gorgeous town has all the festive
feels.

With that in mind, come join us TONIGHT for some Xmas shopping, mulled wine and mince pies at Stable Yard, . All shops will be open until 7pm!

And why not send some Christmas cheer with this merry design by the wonderful . On sale in our shop or on our website - link in bio.

30/11/2023

Deck the halls with lots of jewellery...tra la la la la, la la la laaaaaa!

Our shop is getting festive as we prepare for the Stable Yard Christmas shopping! Come join us for mince pies, mulled wine, and many gifts this Friday and Saturday until 7pm, and Sunday until 4pm.

There are many fantastic shops to explore, within this hidden gem of Blackjack Street, Cirencester...

- Treat yourself to award-winning products for your skin from ANI Skincare
- Enjoy the green paradise that is Cotswold Plant House
- Buy some beautiful clothes and accessories from
- Marvel at the pet portraits from and check out her canine boutique
- Gaze at the incredible jewels at Trove Gems
- Savour the heavenly cakes and delicious dishes from and
- And get creative by painting some pottery at

Looking forward to seeing you there!

29/11/2023

Festive pets, Christmas birds and merry montages....what more could you want on a Christmas card?

If you're being super organised, come stock up on our unusual Christmas cards, many of which you won't find anywhere else!

Put together by local artists and photographers, on recycled card.

Fancy some festive fun this Friday? Join the Stable Yard Christmas Shopping Eve! Open until 7pm this Friday and Saturday with free mince pies and mulled wine.
🎄

21/11/2023

It's candle season.

The weather seems infinitely wet and grey, and we have been treating ourselves to some candle therapy...

Our little shop is bursting with natural beeswax candles and candles made from recycled wax. The smells are amazing, and we have some seasonal scents too with our warming 'Winter Spice' candle.

We also have a variety of candle holders. Check out our new handmade plywood holders, which are made from offcuts, or the glass candlesticks and lanterns made from recycled glass.

So if you're in , pop into our warm little shop and enjoy the ambiance. Or, if you're too far away, have a look on our website for gifts that will bring some warmth into your home.

13/11/2023

As the leaves fall, Caroline gathers.

Nature is full of glorious shapes and patterns, something that eco-printer Caroline Nixon knows all too well. She has a good eye for collecting all sorts of plants, before bringing them together to form a kaleidoscope of nature’s finest.

These are imprinted on preloved textiles, where their natural dyes shine through. Soya, alum or rust solution can enhance these tones even further. Often, they are hand embellished with embroidery for extra interest and texture.

As well as recycling vintage fabric, Caroline’s workshop is filled with repurposed pots for dying. Her techniques ‘are the antithesis of today’s ‘throwaway’ society’ and she runs workshops so the ancient art of eco-printing can be enjoyed by many.

To see her wonderful scarves, pop into our shop or visit our website - link in bio.

And next time you find yourself walking beneath the trees, try looking for some inspiration beneath your feet. Art is everywhere...it just takes a little imagination.

Photo credit:

11/11/2023

NEW OPENING HOURS!

We've now worked out our busiest days and adjusted accordingly. Like many other shops in the yard, we are now open on Sundays!

All our products are made from , and materials. We support UK artists, makers and manufacturers with strong eco credentials - no greenwashing here.

To buy quality gifts with a clean conscience - pop on in or visit our website - link in bio.

09/11/2023

What. A. Weave.

Dried alliums and pine cones really complement these hand-woven baskets. Made by the master weaver, Norah Kennedy, who has spent years perfecting her craft using Somerset willow.

We are resisting putting up the Christmas decorations in the shop just yet, so we can fully appreciate the Autumnal displays for as long as possible!

02/10/2023

In the month of October, the trees reveal colours they've been hiding all year...

Warm, gentle tones sweep the landscapes. Mighty oaks go from green to gold, Japanese maples turn a fiery red and the sweet chestnut trees shine bright yellow.

If you're inspired by these earthy hues, we have plenty in our little shop. Come pay us a visit or go to our website for some serious .

28/09/2023

Cosy Autumn displays...

As Autumn starts to gather pace, we are enjoying making little displays of cones, dried grasses and flowers. Our alliums were wonderful this year – expect to see them in the shop soon!

We’ve used a variety of containers, such as recycled glass vases or Norah’s beautiful handmade baskets. The weave on the basket pictured is such a wonderful texture.

If you have any other Autumn display ideas – let us know!

23/09/2023

The sea sculpts, and then Steve sculpts some more.

Driftwood has a wonderful natural texture made from wind, tides and waves. Often the wood contains wormholes, wood knots and nails, a nod to its history. These treasures are collected by the sculptor Steve Mansfield along the Avon Gorge and banks of the Severn.

The next part of the process can be slow. He surveys and studies the wood ‘until inspiration strikes’. Then, with a little sanding, maybe a dab of paint and a rusty nail – characterful bird sculptures are formed.

Each sculpture has a different personality, which Steve captures with names such as ‘Beach Crook’ or ‘Wave Watcher’. Sometimes they come in pairs, such as the sculpture ‘Two Birds, One Stone’.

They can be displayed both inside and out. The smaller ones sit nicely on a shelf, where they can survey the landscape of the household. The larger pieces look at home amongst the flowers and plants, while birds fly above them.

Wherever they are, we just love the fact that they all have a story behind them which remains a mystery…only the sea knows.

18/09/2023

This week is the .

We're proud stockists of Waterhaul sunglasses, a company who are pretty expert at cleaning one of the biggest polluters off our shores - discarded fishing nets or 'ghost gear'.

They pose a huge risk to wildlife, both at sea and on our coasts. We don’t know exactly how large the problem is, but estimates are that there are about half a million tonnes of ghost gear out there.

By clearing up this mess, is helping to protect wildlife, but they don’t then dump the problem elsewhere. They turn this plastic waste into a range of excellent quality, stylish sunglasses - perfect in action.
Waterhaul

16/09/2023

Which colour next?

In between the customers, .

Winding together these macrame hangers is a good way to keep hands busy when things are quieter.

I used to make these a long time ago, using designs from a 1970s book on macrame which I regrettably got rid of. Luckily, after some internet searching, I acquired it again and these designs are gracing homes once more!

Using recycled yarn in a variety of gentle colours, once adorned with a plant these hangers are a perfect way to soften the corners of your home.

And if you need some green inspiration, next door have beautiful plants!

Hangers also available also from our website, link in bio.

13/09/2023

Life can be so complicated.

So much stuff, so many forms to fill in, so many things to do and buy.

It's pretty hard to slow down and only purchase what you need. And yet, in the face of the climate crises, we should do this. Everything we buy has a carbon cost, and this reliance on carbon is destroying many lives already in the global South.

As a gift shop, it seems counter-intuitive to ask people not to buy things! But our ethos is very much about making do with what we have, rather than buying new. So if you have to buy - buy , or .

Quote from Mahatma Ghandi.

31/08/2023

Floral therapy!

In our late summer gardens, many flowers have withered away, but the dahlias and zinnias are in full bloom.

And goodness are they glorious. Our new line of cards perfectly captures this abundance of colour and form.

From the talented plant painter, Caroline Jamfrey, each design has a different mood, making them suitable for all sorts of occasions.

Printed on recycled card and available on our website - see link in bio.

24/08/2023

The sun is out...
..and so is our picnic!

Along with a good book, is there a better way to spend the day?

*Rug made from recycled wool and cups made from reused coffee cups.

17/08/2023

Another brilliant idea!

When discarded glass bottles or other items are naturally weathered by waves and tides - the result is sea glass.

These smooth, frosted pebbles come in various hues of blue, white and green. Once shaped by nature, some makers collect them and make them into stunning pieces of jewellery.

Our new supplier, Emily Close, runs a small independent silversmiths in the heart of Northumberland called . Using a combination of new and ancient techniques, each piece is crafted using 100% recycled Ecosilver.

We have rings, earrings and necklaces, and they are incredibly eye-catching. So far, our customers seem to love them as they have been flying off the shelves!

15/08/2023

Guess what these beauties are made from?

Old sails!

Sails and Canvas have been saving sails from landfill since 2015. Based in Devon, they handcraft used sails into unique wash bags, among other things.

Here is an explanation from their founders, Juliette and Mandi:

'We have a passion for old sails – they come in to us after a life of adventure often smelling of the sea and crusty with salt...Every sail we use means less sailcloth ends its life in landfill and that is our other passion…reduce, reuse and recycle.'

Sourcing stockists such as these is our passion. Not only are they reducing our waste problem, but they are producing quality products at the same time.

Available from our website! Link in bio.

📸

03/08/2023

Well, the weather isn't summery but these bracelets are!

After popular demand, the lime/ blue bracelet is back in stock. And for something that reminds you even more of warm seas - check out our new colour - mint/turquoise.

For a warmer feel, we have bracelets with bronze and brass detail, like the one pictured here in sea/ sand.

What's more, these are all made from recycled plastic...this means these sea-inspired bracelets help the sea keep free from waste!

Available from our website, link in bio.

25/07/2023

Aren't we all guilty of this?

Sometimes we put things off, and leave things to the last minute until we cannot avoid it anymore.

The is a good example of this. World leaders are looking the other way as the planet burns, and everyday people like us feel helpless in the face of it all.

That's why we started this shop. It might not be much in the fight against climate change, and we are not perfect. But at least we are doing something.

Every day we see people who are making small changes to their lifestyles. It isn't always easy, sometimes it means extra time or expense, but if there are ways to decrease our footprint on this earth while we are on it, even by just a little bit, it has to be worth it.

18/07/2023

Enjoying this new display!

These pots are made with 75-80% agricultural by-products, such as coffee husks and bamboo powder. Normally these by-products would be burnt, but this inventive company has mixed them with resin to create these lovely pots.

Eventually, they can be composted, and the resin will release nitrates into your soil, which your plants will love.

They come in gentle hues of grey, cream, green and pink. Check them out on our new website!

They go well on the upcycled chest of drawers by .

12/07/2023

Summer food is here...

Rather than using plastic trays or buckets to harvest our garden produce, we have been using this handmade willow trug. It works a treat, and it looks gorgeous too.

Made by the talented Norah Kennedy, who has decades of experience in using her hands to create beautiful baskets from willow grown on the Somerset levels. Her wide range of baskets incorporate carefully chosen colours and weaves.

Pop into our shop to take a look!

Address

Stable Yard
Cirencester
GL72AA

Opening Hours

Monday	10:30am - 4:30pm
Thursday	10:30am - 4:45pm
Friday	10:30am - 4:30pm
Saturday	10:30am - 4:30pm
Sunday	11am - 4pm

Telephone

+441285708288

Website

http://www.makerculture.co.uk/

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