Created in Harmony
- Hannah Tapping
- Aug 1
- 3 min read
Words by Hannah Tapping
Celebrating handmade heritage, natural craft and the makers behind it.

Craftmongers is an exceptional and inspirational shop founded on an intrinsic and deeply rooted love of the natural world and the incredible artisans working, crafting and creating in harmony with it. Founded in 2019, by Toby Strong and Jodi Lou Parkin, and later joined by Lauren Wiig-Aspland, this wondrous shop now has far-reaching branches within the craft community and carries the creative manifestations of more than 50 local makers and artists. Tucked into the foothills of Dartmoor National Park, Craftmongers sits at the heart of Ashburton – a vibrant independent town known for its antique shops and excellent eateries.
The striking living windows of Craftmongers shift and change with the seasons, spring bulbs emerging through russet autumn leaves, summer meadow flowers sprawl and clamber upon the Birch trees; as you walk through the doors, you find that this adoration of the natural world is woven into every aspect of this inspiring shop. Gentle music drifts through, as do the calming fragrances of natural incenses and locally poured candles made with the finest essential oils. Botanical skincare and soothing tinctures and tonics are amongst the foraged delights to be found on the shelves, alongside intricate paintings of moths, trees and foxes, tiny ceramic birds and horses, ethereal dreamy landscapes and detailed lino-prints of skylarks and swans. Dried flowers, lichen-laden branches and wild feathers perch between fine art and earthy pottery. Wooden vases formed from ancient gateposts, hand-carved spoons, spatulas and magnificent knives and axes made using local, sustainable Ash trees. Glimmering silver and gold jewellery forged into wild natural curves, leaves, hoops, moons and wild creatures. Rustic beads spill from sculptured vessels surrounded by handcrafted brushes, leather journals, forged hooks and fronded ferns. An extensive collection of beautiful books harness stories and journeys inspired by the natural world and handmade deckle-edged papers and art supplies encourage visitors to embark on their own creative adventures. The shop captures the kinship between these talented craftspeople, artists, designers and authors, as their work blends so harmoniously together.
Since the dawn of 2025, Craftmongers is now solely owned and guided by Jodi Lou Parkin with the support of her incredible creative team – Rose-Marie Caldecott, Orjana Rudeloff, Judy Clark and Ella Whittlestone. Jodi has co-directed Craftmongers since its first opening in 2019 and is excited about the next chapter:
Jodi sums up the ethos of Craftmongers thus, “I have learnt so much in these past few years, particularly about the importance of art and heritage crafts; how the people that practise their gifts and callings, that share them, teach them, write about them, these people are incredibly humbling and brave, and are a leading light to follow in a world that has often felt so very out of touch with our natural native roots. I feel deeply moved by the creative community that continues to grow around us and I am honoured to be able to support them and privileged to have their faith and enthusiasm in return. The love for the shop and the work of our makers is overwhelming and beautiful, and fuels us to keep doing what we do. All of our treasures are handmade, forged and imagined from the stories and dreams of the person that made them; stories that will be carried through the generations in the hands that cherish them, and by those inspired to pick up tools, brushes and pens and begin their own. That to me is magic, and it is magic that we strive to hold on to.”
A wide range of items in-store are also available to buy online.