A FLOATING jewellery workshop has arrived in Tamworth by way of a Narrowboat close to Fazeley Junction on the Coventry Canal.
Rich MacKenzie runs ‘by Bike & Boat’ and travels the waterways making and selling his upcycled copper creations along the way.
The 41-year-old has set up his workshop from his 60ft narrowboat moored on the Coventry Canal at Fazeley Junction in Tamworth.
He said: “We’ve already had a great welcome - and I am looking forwards to making and hopefully selling a few pieces.
“Tamworth was a place that we wanted to stop off in as we cruise from Oxford to Llangollen and then onto Liverpool and Manchester before returning to Oxford for Winter.”
Mr MacKenzie, who lives on the boat with his wife Jackie, 10-year-old son Bobby, 4-year-old daughter Fleur as well as their cat and 5-month-old rescue puppy, said trade has been hit this year already due to lockdown.
He added: “I make each item of copper jewellery to order so that it’s just right and fits the customer perfectly. This also is great as living on a boat we don’t have a great deal of room to keep a stock of made up pieces. I usually use copper gifted to me from local plumbers we find on our travels to make my pieces.”
Earrings created by Rich MacKenzie
Mr MacKenzie’s love of creating started when he lost his father in 2020.
He said: “When dad passed away it just hit me like a ton of bricks just how short life was. Having a trade that I can do from the stern deck of the boat means that we can travel the UK’s canals and rivers to our heart’s content”
‘by Bike & Boat’ will be open in Tamworth most days from 10 am along the towpath at Fazeley Junction.
Mr MacKenzie added: “We’ve just come from Atherstone but we’re not sure where we will stop next on our way north.”
Customers can keep an eye on by Bike & Boats UK’s movements on their website bybikeandboat.co.uk or on their social media Facebook/Twitter/Instagram at @BikeandBoatUK.
