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THE IRON GATES

A HIVE OF CREATIVITY

Eye of the Wood Studio Josie Mitchell Jewellery & Emma Aitchison Jewellery

The Iron Gates is home to a group of talented and creative individuals, each working from their beautiful studio shops, from where they also sell their stunning and varied wares. Bought by couple Alfie and Camilla, the building underwent extensive renovations and now has a new lease of life as part of Frome’s evergrowing creative community.

The building was originally a family house, built in 1696 by the Sheppards family who were magistrates, hence the name the Iron Gates. The courthouse was an extension to their house, built in 1710. For the past 30 years, it was a beloved pet shop, selling everything from parrots and fish, to hamsters and rabbits.

“When we were renovating the Iron Gates, we found some pet shop relics, like a dead tarantula in the basement. We also found out that the stairs were shipped over from Australia,” says Camilla. “As the building is a listed grade 2* building, all interiors and renovation were in line with the Mendip consent team - we had to buy reclaimed wood for the floors and reinstate doorways to how it was suspected they once looked. FIreplaces were also reinstated in a style and look that complimented the building.”

For the tenants, the community, both within the building and in the wider sense, has been just as important as the working space. Jeweller Emma Aitchison explains, “The Iron Gates has been filled with an all-female creative work force, which has been wonderful. It’s a great space to share, collaborate and support one another on our new journeys as studio/shops. And the response from locals has been really positive and supportive too. Everyone seems really pleased that the ‘pet shop’ has been given a new lease of life, and filled with creative spaces and shops. People are particularly impressed with the quality and detail of the renovation of the building, enjoying the way it showcases the architecture and is sympathetic to its surroundings.”

Residents of the Iron Gates include:

Emma Aitchison Jewellery

Inspired by her passion for the natural world, Emma’s jewellery is bold and timeless. Made in small batches, using 100% recycled metals, Emma’s work is in much demand, being stocked both in Toast and the Tate Gallery. emmaaitchison.com | @emmaaitchisonjewellery

Electra Danielle

Electra is a creative upholsterer using traditional techniques such as caning and seat weaving. Her workspace doubles up as a beautifully created store, Eye of the Wood, selling candles, homewares and unique, locally grown plants. Electra will be running caning workshops in the new year. Contact her directly for more information. Electradanielle.com | @electradanielle

Louisa Worskett

Painter and artist printmaker, Louisa’s work focuses primarily on the intellectual properties of mark-making. Her practice is fundamentally rooted in drawing, both observationally and in the exploration of the abstract. Louisa, along with Sally Whelan, runs weekly lifedrawing sessions. These will start again in January. Contact either artist for further information. @louisaworskettart

Silken Favours

Silken Favours founder Vicki Murdoch puts a modern and utterly wearable spin on the cute and kitsch. Each Silken Favours scarf is painstakingly designed using traditional pen and ink technique, expressing a long-term obsession with nature. Heartfelt and beautifully decorative, these prints also feature on cushions, wallpaper, scrunchies and notebooks, adding a playful touch to your home interior. Silken Favours is stocked at Liberty and Fortnum and Mason. silkenfavours.com | @silkenfavours

The Healing Hub

Josie Mitchell Jewellery

Josie creates delicate, handcrafted jewellery that is mindfully designed to help soothe anxiety and stress through the use of grounding textures and tactile movement. Josie has created a unique aesthetic that encapsulates the natural world and the grounding effects it has on well-being. josiemitchelljewellery.com | @josiemitchell.jewellery

Laura Holden

Laura Holden is a textile artist and curator with a background in fine art textiles and prop making. She designs and hand makes joyful cushions and creatures inspired by folklore and vintage illustration. Laura’s aim is to make charming, meaningful objects that become part of a home’s landscape. Lauraholdenstudio.com | @lauraholdenstudio

Sally Whelan

Sally Whelan’s figurative oil paintings and portraits have a strong narrative and bold composition that provoke curiosity from the viewer. Her pieces possess a witty charm and a well observed sense of humour, uniquely blended with a hauntingly dark undercurrent. paintersally.com | @painter.sally

The Healing Hub

The Healing Hub is the main stockist of an old Frome favourite ‘Herbs on the Hill’, selling herb-infused products for the bath and body. Dotted around the shop, you can find a carefully curated range of crystals. Catherine Reeves, who runs the shop, has an extensive knowledge of their benefits and also offers one-to-one crystal healing. @thehealinghubfrome

December at The Iron Gates

All studio shops will be open for late night shopping on the December 8th and 22nd, 3 - 8pm, giving visitors the perfect chance for some Christmas gift buying. Hakko House will also be serving up delicious sushi to hungry visitors.

For some festive fun, pop down to the Iron Gates Christmas party on December 15th, 4 - 9pm, where there’ll be some brilliant food vendors, as well as Crafty Nectar, who will provide mulled wine and cider for all three events.

For more information go to theirongates.com | @theirongatesfrome