A popular Carlisle gift shop is expanding its range of arts supplies.

Joanne Palmer, alongside her partner Harry,  has owned the nature-inspired business - which sells a range of items including stationery, art, and pins all designed by its owner - for nearly four years and moved into its current home in the city centre in October 2023.

However, in its latest development, the popular independent is adding more art supplies to its range of products in a bid to make it easier for Carlisle's creatives to get their hands on the tools to bring their art to life.

Harry was on hand to explain more about the store's expanding art range.

He said: "Joanne has always had a passion for stationery and anything involving art, so it was a natural progression for us especially as she is the creative one of the Flutter & Fern team.

"Every time we have needed a paint pen or something else for the shop our only choices have been The Works, Hobby Craft, or The Range and they don’t really have the specialist items that we’ve needed so that would lead us to buying them online.

"We’ve spoken to a few customers and they mention it’s amazing that we have an art college but no one selling quality art supplies."

Harry also discussed a number of other creative events which are set to take place at Flutter & fern over the coming months. 

He said: "We have a creative writing class with two published author Elsie G. Beya, then we have Beth and Juliet from the Stone Lane Flower Company traveling all the way from Norfolk for their dried flower wreath workshop.

"Then we have Jay from Krorroskos Designs doing a Jesmonite cloud tray workshop.

"Finally we have Rozie from Cozy Board Games travelling all the way from London to host a board game night.

"Our board game night and the dried flower wreath workshop have already sold out, and we’re working with other indie businesses to bring new workshops to the shop."