Meet the couple behind the independent shop that's been bringing the 'mythical and magical' to Fareham for 28 years

Craft Crazy has been a fixture of the independent end of Fareham’s West Street for more than 28 years – and its owners married couple Peter and Anne Fisher say they are only too pleased to be back to doing what they love.

The shop sells a wide range of items such as dreamcatchers, incense sticks, dragon and fairy figurines, jewellery, tarot cards, crystals, herbs, basically anything New Age.

The pair, who started out in business by selling clocks on market stalls, reopened their doors on Monday, after the third lockdown.

Anne said: ‘Unfortunately the high street has taken a bit of a beating recently, but there are people who still enjoy coming into shops like ours.

‘We run our shop the old-fashioned way. We get to know everybody and our customers get to know us.

‘We do everything ourselves. We have a bit of a laugh and joke, and we love to see the different generations coming in.

‘People have been coming into us for years, since they were kids - and now they have kids themselves.

‘We are very fortunate as we really enjoy what we do, we love it.’

Peter and Anne, from Stubbington, have been married for 39 years and together for 42, and work together every day in their shop, but they say they wouldn’t swap it for the world.

Peter said: ‘We do have a lot in common – and we take the mickey out of each other, that’s how we get along so well.’

The couple have a daughter called Hayley, who also lives in Stubbington, and she’s become a familiar face in the shop, helping out over the years around her singing career.

Peter said: ‘She has become part of the shop, all throughout her life she has helped out, working on the market stalls, and then coming into the shop at its busy times.’

Peter and Anne also proudly welcomed their first grandchild to the world last May, and have dubbed new arrival Eric their ‘little CEO’.

Despite moving about a few times over the years along West Street, the couple say they are happy in their current shop, which they took over in 2009 after it was built.

They share the premises with Anne’s brother – Pete Slade – who runs Big Pete’s Tattoo Studio, helping them keep costs down.

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They hope their unique experience will keep the customers coming in.

Anne said: ‘Especially with crystals, it’s a very hands on experience.

‘You can buy them online but there's nothing like touching and seeing what ones you are you drawn to.'

Peter said: ‘Basically we sell everything mythical and magical.

‘People come in with all their wants and needs, and they find Anne who really understands.

‘She listens to everybody, she never judges, and she helps people to come up with the inspiration they need.’

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