The Crafty Squirrel

Today I made up for last weeks disappointment with a trip to The Crafty Squirrel.

I track down the shop and rush in out of the bitter wind and am greeted by the owner, Morgan.

“Is that Cath Kidston?” she asks pointing to my handbag.

“I thought that when I first saw it too!” I laugh. “No. I bought it in Paris. It’s a cheap French knock off.” I’m delighted by this. I’m normally the one asking if something is ‘Cath Kidston’ and no one knows what I’m talking about. On a train to Paris I asked a Japanese girl that very question. That time it was Cath Kidston, but she didn’t even realise, which really disappointed me.

I smile. I’m enjoying myself already and I haven’t even started looking around.

I ask about the opening hours for the shop (Fridays and Saturdays only). It turns out that during the week Morgan trades under her name ‘Morgan Wills’ as a wholesaler, producing stock for up to 60 clients Australia wide.

She originally ran her business from Melbourne but a change of scenery has brought her to the snoozy city of Ballarat and into the new shop front that is The Crafty Squirrel.

She has a great selection of items for sale including some of her own creation.

The shop is small, bright, colourful and warm. You can find the shop open on the corner of Errard & Urquhart Streets, Ballarat Central from 10:00-5:00 Friday and 10:00-4:00 Saturday.