A NEW venture in Silsden is showcasing hand-made craft work from up to 20 different producers at any one time.

Been Busy gift shop has just opened in Kirkgate and features textiles, jewellery, glassware, flower essences and a variety of carved ornaments, clocks and trinket boxes It is also stocking cards, paper and wood crafted items and occasional home-baked produce.

The business has been set up by husband and wife team Angela and Neil Malcolm, who are foster carers. Mrs Malcolm, who was born and brought up in Silsden and used to be a food technology teacher, said she was inspired by her experience of running a pop up shop in Bradford for the Carers' Resource.

She has made some of her shop's goods herself, but said many of the items on sale in Been Busy have been created by carers who use craftwork as a form of therapeutic diversion.

"We are hoping to renovate the upstairs of the shop so that some of our crafters can provide workshops and classes to encourage others to have a go," she added.

"Groups of up to eight people can come and learn new skills, so they can either make things to be sold in the shop or just so they can find out how how to make these items.

"We have a lady who does hand felting, another who does crochet and another who does paint techniques and they will all be running workshops.

"The room will also be available to hire for small groups who want to meet in a neutral venue."

She said the shop had previously been used for storage by the building's owner, and has received a very positive response since it opened.

"People are pleased to have somewhere in Silsden they can come to for gift ideas," she said.

"They say it's nice to be able to find something that is completely different, and our stock changes daily.

"One of our crafters is from Belper, in Derbyshire, and he hand weaves blankets from scratch. We also have a lady who carves goose eggs from wood.

"There are a lot of interesting stories explaining why people take up craftwork. We're working with an amazing group of people."