Crafty schoolgirl inspired by her love of wildlife
ELISE HOPES HOBBY WILL PAY OFF
AN East Yorkshire schoolgirl has turned her love of local wildlife into a budding craft business that she hopes will help to pay her way through university.
Elise Thomas, 15, of Sledmere, near Driffield, was inspired to pick up a camera during the first lockdown last year and that in turn has generated a crafting hobby, which saw her hold her first successful craft fair this month.
The Driffield School and Sixth Form student now hopes to create a small business by making and selling her needle-felted items.
“My main hobby is wildlife photography,” said young entrepreneur Elise, who lives with her mum, stepdad and two brothers.
“In the first lockdown, I picked up my first camera and went for a walk and noticed some strange behaviour from the local hares – they were boxing.
“I thought to myself, this would be a good challenge, and it was when I took my first snap. Ever since, I have absolutely loved it.
“My favourite photo that I’ve taken to date is of a deer in the distance that was back-lit by the golden light.”
Elise, who will celebrate her 16th birthday later this month, is already displaying talent behind the lens as she has been shortlisted for the RSPCA young photographer awards.
She added the craft element to her hobbies when her mum asked her to needle-felt a little Herdwick sheep. The craft transforms wool fibres into 3D objects using special barbed needles.
“I tried it and loved it,” said Elise. “It’s very therapeutic.
“Needle-felting is the main craft I do; however, I’d love to learn how to make cards – my step-grandma makes them and she’s amazing at it.
“My mum was the one who came up with the idea for a little business and I thought it could be good to make a small income to help go towards uni, as I’d like to go down to Bristol University to do wildlife film-making.”
Elise has set up Croome Craft, named after the family farm – “I thought it had a nice ring to it” – using the Herdwick wool from their flock to make needlefelted baubles and mini Herdwicks.
Her first craft fair at Wetwang village hall went well and Elise is now hoping to slowly build up a following on Twitter and Facebook, while staying focused on her school work.
“I sold a few baubles, which was really good,” she said. “I’m hoping to have a future with my photography or film-making, but I will still do crafting as a hobby or small business as well.
“I’m hoping to maybe start up an Etsy shop in the near future.”
Anyone interested in Elise’s crafts can message her on Twitter @ croomecraft