Hesta Scene? About Us

The name Hesta Scene? comes from the Cumbrian word 'hesta' which translates to 'have you'. Hesta Scene? is an alternative gift shop and gallery, selling online, running courses for all ages and working with schools through Creative Futures Cumbria.

The shop is based in Caldbeck, which is a beautiful village lying within the northern boundary of the Lake District National Park. It has a community of working crafts people and artists ranging from textiles, jewellery design to clog making.

Hesta Scene? was established in April 2009 through the collaboration of Karen Kennedy and Julie Coghlan. They are both passionate about creating a predominantly British orientated shop with a strong link to promoting graduates from the University of Cumbria.

Karen and Julie believe in the concept to inspire creativity particularly in younger people, through the process of design and development. Exciting and diverse arts and crafts courses are available for children aged 5-16 years and adults.

Julie originally qualified as a Surface Pattern Designer and in 2008 gained a First Class BA Hons in Contemporary Applied Arts, specialising in constructed textiles. Julie now makes many of the items for sale in Hesta Scene? including scarves, cushions and felt pictures.

Although Karen's working background has nearly always been secretarial based, she has always loved taking short courses with an art theme - ranging from interior design and photography to beaded jewellery.