NEWS NEWS
GOOD
24
11 April 2017
One big step for Overstrand Hospice A jovial crowd gathered at the new premises of the Overstrand Hospice Shop in Aberdeen Street on Thursday evening, 30 March to celebrate the end of an extensive renovation project and to thank all the role players and sponsors involved.
Judy Miller (Judy’s Crystal Corner), Kali Griffin (KaliCo), René Gort (Hero Stained Glass) and Daniel Griffin of DG Fire Pot (absent) have joined forces to form The Craft Collective.
Hands-on addition to the craft scene
A
n exciting new shop has opened in town that adds another dimension to the diverse shopping experience offered by the CBD. The Craft Collective is a collaboration of four craft businesses – Hero Stained Glass; DG Fire Pot; KaliCo hand-painted and printed fabrics; and Judy’s Crystal Corner. Hero Stained Glass is owned by Rudi Gort and his daughter René, who has relocated to Hermanus after 16 years in Napier. While René runs their business in Hermanus, Rudi will continue to be based at their Somerset West branch. Established in 1990, Hero Stained Glass is dedicated to the creation of original and uniquely beautiful table lamps, shades, pendants, panels and door insets.
Kali Griffin and her son Daniel live in the artists’ hamlet of Wolvengat, from where she produces her unique handpainted and block-printed cloths that are turned into bespoke KaliCo items ranging from bed linen, tablecloths and blinds to dresses and scarves. Before relocating to Wolvengat, Kali sold her wares at the Waterfront in Cape Town for 10 years and she also has a stall at the Hermanus Country Market. Daniel is a second generation potter with a passion for hand-thrown, high-fired stoneware, porcelain and ceramics. His speciality are fire pots that can be installed both indoors or outdoors, along with table braais, braziers and tagines that are both beautiful and functional. Lastly, there is Judy Miller’s
exciting range of crystals, semi-precious gemstones, fossils, shells, jewellery and art. Judy also has a shop at the Eastcliff Village Centre and earlier traded at the Market Stalls before being denied a new lease.
The builder of the spacious new shop, Jerome Kennedy described the occasion as “one small set of keys, but one big step for Overstrand Hospice.” The income generated by the shop will continue to form the financial backbone of their Patient Care Service. Overstrand Hospice also celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. Board member and former chair Alan Toombs
described it as a proud day for Hospice, which started from a garage in 2007. Liza van Coppenhagen, who also manages the popular Hermanus Country Market, was the one who got the shop up and running and by 2012 it had become the lifeline of Hospice. The new building was purchased with the help of overseas donors and local support, but needed to be renovated and expanded. Well-known local architect Nicolette Lloyd came on board, with local suppliers and contractors donating building materials that saved Hospice almost R1 million. Alan thanked the local com-
munity for their “incredible support” and a special thanks went to Liza and Sharon SmallSmillie “for going the extra mile”. Sharon joined the Overstrand Hospice Board in 2010 and had served as vice chair for three years and as chair for two years before stepping down last year to head up the renovation project. At this joyful celebration, Michelle and Lynn Powers of Cuckoo Tree, who did the catering, made sure that there was no shortage of delicious snacks and wine for the many guests. The new Hospice Shop will officially open its doors on Tuesday 11 April.
She says she is overjoyed at having found a new “home” in the town centre and sharing the space with her three shop partners. The Craft Collective had their official opening on Friday evening and all the wellwishers who attended agreed that it’s the perfect place to find that special gift for a loved one, or something unique for yourself or your home. Find The Craft Collective at 135 Main Road opposite First National Bank.
From left are Sharon Small-Smillie (project manager), Liza van Coppenhagen (board member), Jerome Kennedy (builder), Alan Toombs (board member and former chairperson), Renate van Dyk (Van Dyk Loots Attorneys), Mike Matthews (first chairperson and life president) and Nicolette Lloyd (architect).