82 Curating the modern desk Andrew Wenrick, owner of Lead TIN, a contemporary art supplies and stationery shop in London, talks to Craft Focus about an optimistic year ahead in retail Tell us a bit about Lead TIN, when did it open and by who? Lead TIN is a contemporary art supplies and stationery shop based in the arts district in Battersea, south-west London. The shop sources products from all corners of the globe with an emphasis on craft, nostalgic and tactile products, and environmental conscience sourcing and packaging. It was established in 2019 by myself, Andrew Wenrick. Lead TIN has quickly become known for its beautifully designed store and online marketplace with attention to the customer experience and service. Tell us a bit about your location! Just a 15-minute walk from the busy Clapham Junction, on Webb’s Road, we’re nestled in the lovely ‘Nappy Valley’ where neighbours often see it as a hidden gem. Our location includes an amazing collection of exquisite independent shops – such as art galleries, cafes, a pottery studio, jewellery shops, world famous guitar shop, a pink hair salon, an organic vegetable and fruit store, and a fairy house for the kids! You also run your business online as an e-commerce set-up. Tell us a bit about this. Lead TIN began just before the pandemic hit in 2020. So, just as we opened our doors, we had to close for the lockdowns. This gave us the extra push that was needed to launch our online shop as quickly as possible. Prior to founding Lead TIN, The Last Supper art gallery had been in business for nearly 10 years and is just a few shops down the road. The Last Supper is an art gallery, both physical space and online, that specialises in contemporary and conceptual art with a focus on craft and minimalism. Like a lot of our stationery supplies, our artists have origins from all over the world. How has business been over the past 12 months? We’re very happy that the last 12 months are over. 2023 had been an extremely challenging year in the UK. Although both our businesses survived unscathed, we’re very much looking forward to and are optimistically positioned for 2024. Have you seen a boom in the craft industry recently or a new type of customer? After all the miserable lockdowns, many of us have established new hobbies outside the work hours. The growth of making arts and crafts seems to be the most significant trend out of all, as people are more open to learning, investing and enjoying themselves in the moment. At Lead TIN, our customers started investing in advanced drawing tools and kits to elevate their experience and an increasing trend in amateur painting. Tell us a bit about what you stock. We have a full selection of art and painting supplies, special book binding papers, stationery gifts and pencil sets, and top-quality pens and notebooks that will elevate one’s creative pursuits. The healthcare trend for the UK in 2024 is journaling, we’re quite possibly the best local shop to get started on a healthier you for the New Year. We also have products designed and made in-house such as greeting cards, postcard books, a memory games, oak pen trays, craft Stevie Roberts Photography
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