Former Rolls-Royce engineer Sarah is crafting out a new business amid boom in creative arts and crafts
THE world of complex jet engines and the delicate craft of felting have more in common that you might imagine, says a new business owner.
Sarah Hodgkinson set up Crafty You, Crafty Me in July 2020, after taking voluntary redundancy from the aerospace division of Rolls-Royce to pursue her dream.
The 37-year-old has built a business out of felting kits, mosaic packs and crafting sessions and has been more successful than she ever hoped for.
“The mosaic packs have been really popular,” said Sarah, who lives in Hilton with husband Phil and their two children.
“I’ve sent packs to Brownie groups in Newcastle, a Guide group a little closer to home and will be felting a yogi sloth with a yoga class, who have been using craft kits in their online sessions.”
She says that crafting together has been hugely popular and that her customers adore her party kits, which encourage groups to create patterns together.
“Once the lockdown rules in England are eased, I’m planning on outdoor classes followed by indoor ones later in the year,” says Sarah.
Before England entered its second and third lockdown, Sarah had run outdoor workshops in Hilton and Tutbury Castle, which were attended by people from across the county.
Her career change may raise eyebrows, but Sarah says that crafting and engineering have quite a lot in common.
“The general product design – so how you take an initial concept and turn it into an actual product are pretty much the same,” she said.
“Crafting a final design from individual parts uses a similar logic.”
Not only are they similar, but Sarah believes crafting is therapeutic. “It’s great for mental well-being and I find nothing more relaxing than crafting in an evening or creating felt animals – as long as you don’t stab yourself with the felting needle!”
Sarah has loved crafting from an early age and says that she would often visit wool shops in her home city of Bristol. She now frequents Wren’s, the family business in Allenton.
She jokes that there is a longstanding family debate over who taught her to knit, aged six. What is certain is that her new business is already creating a lot of excitement. Marketing Derby named her as one of the businesses that stood out as innovative when it was selecting its “Rising Star” award. Her wide range of crafting kits, from mosaic coasters to felt bunnies, include step-bystep instructions to guide her customers through the process. “The kits we produce are perfect for beginners of the more intermediate crafters,” she said, “with lots of different crafts available, there really is something for everyone.”
I find nothing more relaxing than crafting or creating felt animals – as long as you don’t stab yourself with the felting needle. Sarah Hodgkinson
A CARAVAN and motorhome retailer has seen orders go “bonkers” and is expecting a bumper sales year as coronavirus restrictions are eased and people opt for staycations in the UK.
Don Amott Caravans, in Hilton, which has been operating since 1963, said that last year was one of the best that it had seen in a long time for sales as more families opted for UK caravan holidays due to the Covid travel restrictions on going abroad.
The Government’s announcement of the road map to easing Covid restrictions in the UK has paved the way for families to start thinking about holidays this summer with travel agents reporting a surge in bookings.
The managing director of Don Amott Caravans, John Broderick, said: “I only see Boris’ announcement earlier this week as being positive news. However, we need to move at a pace that makes sure that there are no more national lockdowns. However, it seems to be very positive from the PM; everyone wants it to work.”
Last month, Mr Broderick had said the firm had seen a rise in sales and now says that trend has continued, especially over the past two weeks which had seen a surge of interest.
“Internet traffic in the last month has increased by 48% versus last year on our website, people have been more confident with their money and I predict that after the pandemic, we’ll be seeing a boom of national optimism.
“It’s been very busy but the amount we’ve been selling, it’s been bonkers.”
He has also said that more young people are turning to motorhome holidays as an alternative to going abroad. It has become a “cool” way to take a holiday.
When the firm was able to reopen last year, he said: “Everything went on sale. If you could go away in it, people bought it. “The biggest growth we’ve seen is in younger people, who are finding these holidays more affordable. You get that sense of freedom, there’s a joy to the British holiday and you’ve just got to find what it is you want to do.
As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic causing disruption to international travel plans, he said that people will be looking for holidays closer to home. He added: “People will be wanting to embrace different things in life. It has to be what people want to
do.
“It’s going to go crazy this year. We’re already seeing the production lines of new caravans struggling to keep up with the demand.
“For a long time, holidaying in a different way has been very uncool. However, partly due to a change in perception and party due to pandemic-related necessity that has changed.
“There are some very beautiful places in the UK. I think people should be brave and be adventurous. We have an enormous country with many national parks. There’s so much on our doorstep for people to explore. “Most of us want to get to back to some normality and caravanning holidays are a great way to bond and socialize with others and get out. Caravanning holidays are the new cool.”
We had a very busy week and sold 16 motorhomes. This week we’ve sold 15 already.
John Broderick