Isle of Wight woman opens dream shop after successful cancer treatment

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A business owner has opened her dream shop in Ryde on the Isle of Wight after completing cancer treatment.

Janine Watson has launched Willow and Twine on the High Street, selling handmade wreaths, gifts and homeware.

She has sold online for several years, beginning shortly before Covid, and recently began making wreaths.

During her cancer treatment, she made wreaths at her kitchen table, saying the work helped her stay positive.

The shop has already received a positive response from locals (Image: Contributed)

She said: "It's been a really odd year. You don't know what's going to happen around the corner.

"I feel that [making wreaths] was really good for mental health. It all really helped me.

"It was a scary beginning of the year and I didn't know what was going to happen - I'm super grateful."

Customers have responded positively since the shop opened, with visitors praising its appearance and calling it beautiful, Janine said.

She will continue to sell her products online to her regular customers as well as in the shop.

Janine and her husband David sell homeware and gifts alongside the wreaths (Image: Contributed)

The shop sells wreaths, gifts and homeware chosen by Janine and her husband, David.

She finds green-and-white is popular all year, reflecting the growing trend for wreaths on doors.

The shop sells handmade wreaths (Image: Contributed)

Janine plans to host Willow and Wine workshops next year, where customers can make wreaths while enjoying a “glass of something”.

She also plans to offer personalised gifts and use a printing press in the shop.

She has already teamed up with other High Street businesses, including The Star Coffee and Ale House, which commissioned a wreath for its door.

Watson thanked the Ryde community for its warm welcome and called her husband an “absolute superstar” for fitting out, decorating and painting the shop.

Willow and Twine is at 152 High Street, Ryde.

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