We love our local independents here at Cool As Leicester and one of our favourite recent discoveries has been All About Daisy, which is based just off Queens Road in Clarendon Park. An absolute gem of gorgeous and unique home and gift ideas, which are nearly all made out of everyday items that would be heading for the tip. Do you know a keen cyclist? Check out the range of bike chain products! Or a music fan? They’ll love the recycled drum lamps.
We caught up with owner, Michelle and her gorgeous Jack Russell, Bonnie (you know how much we love a Jack Russell), to find out more about the shop, their products and why you need to pay them a visit!
How would you describe All About Daisy to someone who’s never been in?
Bloomin Good Recycling, every item we sell was heading for the tip until we rescued it and reinvented it. We sell jewellery made from junk mail and old carrier bags, bags made from seat belts and leather from the backs of old jeans, lamps made from old drums and drills, furniture made from old pallets and tools. There is no such thing as waste and there are 17 of us from Leicester producing for the shop, so 80% of our products are truly one offs and 20% fair trade.
Why did you first open the shop?
I was inspired by a trip to India and I realised what a wasteful nation we were and that with a little imagination we could help save waste and reinvent it into creative useful products. I started off doing markets and festivals for the first 2 years and it was a success, so I opened a small shop in St Martins Square and then moved to a larger premises in Clarendon Park.
What’s been your favourite item you’ve ever stocked?
A lamp made from a pair of old army crutches and it had an enamel shade reclaimed from a 1960s Glasgow factory, it was quite Minion like. It was made By Pete Seaton one of the first artists on board.
How do you select the items for sale in the store?
I choose all the fair trade recycled items from bike chains and circuitboards and I also make items from junk mail and old vinyl. The rest is down to the 17 artists we have on board and their imaginations and the waste we find to recycle, so most of the time I have no idea what will be for sale until it turns up, it really is unique.
What do you think will be the big sellers this Christmas?
Bike chain items are really popular in the area with lots of keen cyclists. We have bookends, wine racks, trivets and of course, jewellery. Andelina’s jewellery made from old carrier bags are really popular with her bright artistic designs from earrings, brooches, tiepins and cufflinks all coming in under £15.
You’re located just off Queens Road in the heart of Clarendon Park, what made you choose that area to open the shop?
I had traded in Clarendon park for a few years when they had their summer and Christmas markets and it was always my best trading days of the year. The locals seemed to love our products and the ethics behind the business so when a shop became available I just couldn’t say no and I have no regrets, its a fantastic community with lots of independent businesses and great support.
What are you other favourite places in the area?
I love going to Jones’ for dinner the food and staff are great, If I need a few knick knaks I pop next-door to Vintage Utopia and I can now get a great coffee whilst shopping. I often pop to Prettiez down the alley for my incense and Hareem pants and have a browse round Waxworks for a record or two. If I fancy a beer I will wander to Allendale road to the Classroom with my dogs as the beer is locally sourced and forever changing and the dogs love it as they get free treats.
What was your background before opening All About Daisy?
I was a warehouse manager for Boden clothing.
Do you cater for all price budgets in the shop?
Yes we have products ranging from £2 up to £200 for large pieces of furniture and standard lamps. Most products are under £30.
Tell our readers in 1 sentence why they should pop in next time they’re on Queens Road?
We are just so different from any other shop, every product we sell has its own story to tell and as our customers say we are like a touchy feely Pinterest.
All About Daisy is located at 48 Monatgue Road, just off Queens Road. For more details visit the website or follow them on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.