A FORMER interior designer who comes from a family of artists has opened up a new gallery on Kendal’s Blackhall Yard.

Amber Mackie is the woman behind the Bumblebee Gallery, a space that showcases an ‘eclectic’ mix of work from artists and craftspeople.

With a background in interior design, as well as time spent teaching and working at Booths, Amber said that with her daughter heading off to university she felt like it was the right time to embark on a new venture.

“Now’s the time,” Amber, who lives in Burton-in-Lonsdale, said. “If I do not do it now I never will.”

Bumblebee Gallery was inspired by three generations of artistic talent in the family.

Edmere Mackie, Amber’s mother is a retired art teacher and an artist member of The Glasgow Art Club, daughter Kim has just begun a degree in illustration and Amber is a qualified spatial designer.

She described the two-floored shop, which currently has the work of 30 different artists on display, as a place for ‘different little beautiful things’.

“I mentioned a William Morris quote in my literature: ‘Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful’,” the 45-year-old said. “I have always lead my life like that.”

Amber said the stock is currently 100 per cent British sourced.

Included in the line up is Becka Griffin Illustrations, photographer Margaret Campbell, Lauren’s Cows and Amber’s mother, Edmere.

Alongside countless friends and neighbours, Amber’s partner, John, a lecturer at the University of Cumbria has also been heavily involved in the gallery opening. Amber explained that he had done much of the DIY work in the shop.

“It’s been a proper community effort,” she said. “The number drinks I’ve had to buy at the pub to thank everybody!”

As she gets started, Amber will be finding out what her customers are looking for.

“I think in this day and age you need something that just makes you feel happy,” she explained. “And I want people to go home and just have a little sanctuary of happiness.”

The shop is at 10 Blackhall Yard and more can be found online at www.bumblebeegallery.co.uk