Shed Load of Crafts – One of Crews Hill's Most Colourful Hidden Gems
Updated: Aug 26
If you've ever wandered around Browns Garden Village in Crews Hill, there's a good chance you've spotted one of the area's most colourful and characterful independent businesses – Shed Load of Crafts.
Run by business partners Sandra and Yvonne, the shop has become a much-loved destination for crafters, makers and gift seekers from across North London and beyond.
But like many of Crews Hill's family-run businesses, its story began modestly.
From a Small Shed to a Crews Hill Favourite
Shed Load of Crafts first opened its doors in March 2015 from a small wooden shed inside Browns Garden Village.
What started as a passion for crafts, creativity and handmade products soon attracted a loyal following, and by July 2016 the business had grown enough to move into its current premises.
Today the shop is packed with gifts, handmade items, craft supplies, creative kits, cards and unique treasures that are difficult to find anywhere else.
Visitors often describe it as the sort of place where you pop in for a quick look and emerge half an hour later having discovered something completely unexpected.
A Shop That Ended Up in a Book
One of the business's most unusual moments came when a gentleman wandered into the shop and asked if he could take some photographs.
Sandra, understandably cautious, asked why.
The visitor explained that after retiring he had started travelling London's railway network using his free travel pass. His mission was simple: travel to the end of train lines and see what he could discover.
One of those journeys brought him to Crews Hill.
Exploring the area, he stumbled across Shed Load of Crafts and was so captivated by the shop that he photographed it and later featured it in his book Return to the End of the Line.
The author, Richard Thomas, documented fascinating places and businesses discovered at the far reaches of London's transport network, and Shed Load of Crafts earned its place among them.
It remains a lovely reminder that sometimes the most memorable places are found when you venture off the beaten track.
When Ron Weasley Walked Through the Door
Another memorable day came during one of the shop's crochet gatherings.
A family wandered into the shop and browsed for a few minutes before leaving.
At first nothing seemed unusual.
Then members of the crochet group began debating whether the visitor had been someone famous.
Eventually the consensus was reached.
It was.
Sandra was encouraged to run after him and ask for a photograph.
The mystery visitor turned out to be Rupert Grint, best known around the world for playing Ron Weasley in the Harry Potter films.
Fortunately he was happy to help and even posed with a Harry Potter-themed diamond art kit featuring his character.
The resulting photograph has become one of the shop's favourite memories.
More Than Just a Shop
What makes Shed Load of Crafts special isn't simply the products on the shelves.
It's the atmosphere.
It's the conversations.
It's the regular crafting groups and the friendships formed over shared hobbies.
It's the creativity, colour and individuality that have always been at the heart of Crews Hill's independent business community.
In an age of online shopping and chain stores, places like this remind us why local businesses matter.
They have stories.
They have personality.
And sometimes they even attract bestselling authors and Hollywood actors.
Planning a Visit?
You'll find Shed Load of Crafts at Browns Garden Village in Crews Hill.
Whether you're looking for a unique gift, inspiration for your next creative project, or simply somewhere interesting to explore, it's well worth adding to your list.
After all, you never know who might walk through the door next.
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