A crafty business: Mickey Raes

“What a time to celebrate being open for two years – right in the middle of lockdown!,” says Wendy Lamont, who can hardly believe that two years have passed since, encouraged by her mother-in-law Pauline, she exchanged her home-based handmade craft business for the beautiful sunlit store called Mickey Raes in Hanmer Spring’s Boulder Point Precinct.

It’s right opposite the duck pond on Chisholm Crescent. “I really want to pay tribute to my mother-in-law at this time. She passed away only a short while ago, but she gave me the courage to take the big step to a shop of my own stocking all the items that both she and I love – fabrics, sewing, knitting, crochet and quilting supplies, craft kits and haberdashery.” But the delights of Mickey Raes don’t stop there. This store is a veritable treasure trove of unique giftware all personally selected by Wendy who runs the shop herself seven days a week. “I have wedding accessories, party supplies and birthday presents. Right now, I also have hand sanitizer, reusable cotton tissues and face masks – even a pattern to make a face mask.” Wendy is thinking Christmas, too. “Let’s craft our way to Christmas! I’ve brought out my Christmas products early as there has been so much demand from all the New Zealanders flocking to Hanmer. “There’s everything from Christmas crafting supplies and beautiful Christmas fabrics for quilting to knitting cottons for making homemade presents.” You can message Wendy via Mickey Raes Facebook page to order your products.