Craft hunting is high on my list of things to do when on holiday. Finding unique local craft items as gifts, décor, or clothing, is like taking a part of that world back home!
A favourite tourist haunt for mementos on the lower South Coast is MAttison Square, just before Port Edward.
We had time to kill on a recent girlie weekend, before our coffee tour at Beaver Creek Coffee Estate, which is every day at noon.
It's become customary to stop there with family and friends as local tourists, and that magnet drew us in once again.
Many people retire down this way, so centres like this that cater to tourists, are a lifeline for some, as their retirement income starts shrinking with high inflation.
There's something for every gal and guy here; Local Crafters - where I shopped, The Cow Shed Coffee Shop, Surf's Up clothing, Berry Crafty - delectable deli, Lookout Self-Catering Agency, The Spa, Baobab Art Gallerie specializing in handcraft from Madagascar, nowhere near Port Edward, nevertheless affordable vibrant crafts, and the eclectic Pearl Girl Jewellery and Gems which offers -
Crystal jewelry, gems, orgonite devices, healing tools, medicinal herbs, oils, incense, smudge sticks, decor, and bath products. Embrace positive energy and beauty.
We’ve had lunch at The Cow Shed Coffee Shop before, but only had an hour to kill, so we skipped that stop this time. I will however share the charming décor with you in photos taken on our previous visit. Their food is delicious and their coffee very good, but so is the coffee farm where we were heading!
These images are of the table tops.
The pottery shop used to be my favourite, but was nowhere to be seen. I learnt that it sadly succumbed to COVID, poor electrical infrastructure down that way, and load shedding; cannot fire pottery when the electricity grid is unstable!
Local Crafters
We headed for Local Crafters and found some real gems.
My friend was wearing a current fad, 'Lappie' Shorts, a pair of shorts made from dishcloths, yep! Lo and behold, they also sold them here.
A local artist does metal sculpting, turning scrap metal and old tools/anything metal into unique decor items.
I've been looking for wall decor, specifically a fish, and found the perfect one to take home to hang up in a special corner. It is sculpted from wood, and hand-painted.
We naturally would expect to see many nautical items as we were in a coastal craft shop. I loved these beautiful wooden fish sculptures, some are like blank canvas to take home and paint, if one wished.
I love wall hangings with inspiring, or fun messages; these are all handmade. You'll notice there are many with the word 'braai'. For our non-South African Hivers, that word means barbeque, something we love doing as we have good weather year-round, so love entertaining outdoors.
Quaint handmade fabric door-stops to welcome visitors.
A collection of vintage tins, great for kitchen decor. I'm an incorrigible tin collector but stopped myself from buying as I've been trying to declutter!
Oh, before I forget, I managed to get a bottle of divine Port View Farm 'Hey Honey' to bring home.
MAttison Square is a fabulous centre to buy mementos as a reminder of a wonderful breakaway on the lower South Coast of Kwazulu Natal!
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