The women have launched their own shop in Kierath’s Shopping Square, selling hand-crafted items from bags to jewellery.

The shop opened on Melbourne Cup day and will be open at least until Christmas, with profits set to go to local charitable organisations.

“We nearly sold out yesterday – we had to sit up half the night making more things,” Narromine Women’s Shed founder Leona Lodding said on Friday.

“We sold nearly all of the Christmas stuff yesterday. The quilled balls made by the girls at Break Thru [People Solutions in Dubbo], one lady took the lot.”

The shop stocks everything from bags and jewellery to scrap-booking material and Christmas ornaments.

And with Christmas only a matter of weeks away, Ms Lodding said the Women’s Shed shop was the perfect one-stop shop for gifts and decorations.

“We’ve got everything and there’s a lot more to come,” she said.

Ms Lodding founded the Narromine Women’s Shed about five years ago when she saw a serious need for a safe space for older women to socialise.

The Men’s Shed was a well-known initiative for men, she said, but there was nothing for women experiencing similar problems.

The shed has certainly been a success – it now boasts between 20 and 30 members – and new members are always welcome.

For more information about the Narromine Women’s Shed, or to become a member, head to the shop at 2/76 Dandaloo Street.