Welcome to The Cosy Shack, Your One-Stop Online Gift Shop
Hi, I’m Maria, the heart, hands and slightly chaotic brain behind The Cosy Shack. I’m Venezuelan, based in Newark on Trent, and I’ve been making things with my hands for as long as I can remember. Every single item you’ll find here is handmade by me, with care, with love, and usually with a good cup of decaf coffee nearby.
The Cosy Shack isn’t your average gift shop, and that’s very much on purpose. I sell an enormous range of products: handmade soaps with essential oils, pearl and crystal jewellery, candles, wax melts, greeting cards, mugs, notepads, tote bags, keyrings, bookmarks, pocket hugs, makeup pouches, cushions, magnets, metal pins, wood and ceramic ornaments, kids clothing, face wipes, gift sets… and the list keeps growing.
One of the big reasons I do things this way is that my brain is simply wired differently. I don’t thrive doing the same thing day in, day out; I need variety, creativity and the freedom to keep evolving. Running a shop like The Cosy Shack means I’m always creating something new, always putting my best skills to work, and never, ever getting bored.
The other big reason? I genuinely believe that gift-giving shouldn’t be stressful. Life moves fast, and finding the perfect personalised gift takes time, costs more in postage and means waiting on several different parcels. Here at The Cosy Shack, you can build your perfect gift set all in one place, and I’ll send everything together in one parcel. Even better, I can send it directly to your recipient, beautifully packaged, so you can skip the middle step entirely.
Everything I make can be personalised, and customers are welcome to mix and match items to create a completely bespoke gift set. If you have something in mind that you don’t see on the website, just message me. I’m always bringing new ideas and new products, and I love a creative challenge.
A little more about me.
I love nature, I love cooking for the people I care about, I love music, and most of all I love my family; they are my happy and safe place. I firmly believe in kindness, but I also firmly believe in a well-timed, entirely necessary f*ck off when the situation calls for it. Balance, right?
Two of my favourite themes to work with are swearing and motivational gifts; sometimes separately, sometimes dangerously combined. I also make products across a huge range of themes by like hobbies, sports, celebrations, beliefs, and much more.
A little bit of The Cosy Shack Story.
The Cosy Shack opened its doors in 2019. I started with wax melts, moved into soaps and candles, then took a little detour to explore a different path; before quickly realising that I need to create. I came back making stationery for businesses and special occasions, slowed down again, and used that quieter time to truly understand how my beautiful brain works and discover I am not failing, I just have a very active brain who loves to do different things.
When I made the decision to return properly in 2023, I chose not to put any limits on myself. I wanted a business that could grow and shift with me, one where I could make anything I’m capable of making and offer it all in one place. And I did it.
The Cosy Shack is now your one-stop online gift shop, posting across the UK (except Northern Ireland for now). Whatever the occasion, whatever the person, whatever the vibe, I’ve got you!
Maria x