From hay bales and corrugated iron to flashy signage and shelving, the Dubbo Art and Craft Christmas Shop has come a long way throughout its 26 years.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The shop, which opens annually in October and shuts on Christmas Eve, has again opened its doors, this time located inside Orana Mall where The Body Shop once resided.
Shop coordinator Margaret Chaseling said the shop, which works as a pop-up store and is run by volunteers, was first run by 12 people.
Now, it is what Mrs Chaseling refers to as a "collaboration" of love.
"When we first had the shop it was lined with corrugated iron and hay bales- we found people didn't like the hay because it gave them hayfever," Ms Chaseling said.
"We use to decorate the shop with odds and bods from shearing sheds, we even had one shop with an old wool press in there. Now, we run it more as a shop and it works really well."
Mrs Chaseling has hopes to one day find a permanent location, but as a non-profit shop run by volunteers, it would have to be at the hands of a sponsor.
"There's never a lot of money in art and craft but there's a lot of love and a lot of pleasure in doing it," she said.
"We're a happy shop and people love Australian made - people like to receive something that someone has put a lot of love and care into.
"We open every October and we shut on Christmas Eve, but If we could find some nice person who wanted to sponsor us and put us into a shop and let us run it as volunteers..."
Mrs Chaseling said the shop, which consists of products from artists and craftsmen/women, is a space where artists and craftspeople can all work together and pull in the same direction.
"I just love the feel of the shop," she said.
"We're not here for profit, we don't profit - we like to see a shop where we have some incredible artists and craftsmen and they're all different."
This year the shop will also be selling tickets for Dance Fuse Inc Orange - a charity focused on helping children with cancer.
Do you want more Dubbo and regional news? Receive our free newsletters delivered to your inbox, as well as breaking news alerts. Sign up below ...