FROM books to a bookstore and now workshops, Teacup Sparrow’s Forest has continued to grow from strength to strength.
After 27 years as a creative arts teacher, Pam Warburton used her talents and opened the Buronga store, which is proving popular among all ages with a “calming environment” aimed to offer a “learning and nurturing” experience.
Despite multiple border lockdowns since opening late last year, Ms Warburton said her store had been thriving and was preparing for what she expected would be some of her busiest weeks to date.
“I am feeling optimistic and I know I have a really good product,” she said.
“The people who have come in are really connecting with the products and they have become repeat customers.
“I have many customers that call Teacup Sparrow their ‘happy place’, some that don’t want to leave and others that go home feeling calm, with a smile on their face.
“I love my job and bringing others happiness. To see others, recognise their own individual strengths and grow with confidence, gives my life and work amazing purpose.”
The bookstore is set out like a forest featuring animals from the Teacup Sparrow books written by Ms Warburton.
Visitors are able to take part in a range of experiences and workshops that “inspire creativity, build confidence but also develop mindful awareness and qualities like kindness, strength and resilience”.
“A forest experience is a creative role-playing experience which connects participants to Teacup Sparrow’s Forest and books by meeting and interacting with the characters, discovering their values and characteristics,” Ms Warburton said.
“You escape into a world of creativity where you are inspired and free to explore ideas and create them visually through role play.
The workshops “develop participants skills and confidence through discussion, mentoring and exploring the characters’ experiences within the forest”.
“People are blown away by what I am offering and there uniqueness of what I am doing, it is a blend of creativity and wellbeing.”
Ms Warburton said while the store was set up to focus on children, she quickly discovered it was attracting all ages.
“Initially I did write and set up to cater for children but it has been a real awakening that we all need that nurturing content,” she said.
“I really am catering for children as young as four to all the way through and have many senior customers who now often come in.
“I often see grandmothers come in to buy something for the grandkids and then leave with something for themselves.”
Ms Warburton said the store was ever changing and developing with her aim to cater to all needs and ages.
Teacup Sparrow’s Forest is at 9 Hendy Road, Buronga.
