Crafty move is sew right for Gemma

FLORA BYATT

AMUM- OF-TWO is sewing her way to success, expanding her online business into a new craft shop, with community activities.

Gemma Ash, from Helmshore, has opened her new store, Rae Rae and Belle, at The Corner House, 257, Helmshore Road, after her partner’s kitchen showroom business expanded, and the shop became free.

Gemma said: “I was made redundant from my work in a children’s charity but I had my own business, where I made bulk craft orders for schools and dance schools, which was really good.

“My partner’s showroom business was growing big so I moved in around three months ago to the new shop.

“Because the shop was becoming free I thought I have to take this opportunity and run the shop myself.

“It’s a gift shop which sells handmade items.”

Gemma has always had in interest in crafts and is able to knit, sew, and crochet.

Now she is opening workshops for adults and children, and when the business is established, hopes to run children’s craft parties, as she has previously worked in nurseries and for a children’s charity.

She added: “I am holding a Saturday class for children, with a different theme every time, and adults classes in the week.

“I want to have people in to do a variety of crafts, as there’s nothing else around here that caters to that.

“Then I want to branch out into children’s parties, ages five and up.

“It’s something different, and people can book through myself. “Crafting is so relaxing and therapeutic - it’s just amazing.”

Gemma has previously worked at Action for Children and Children’s Society, and has two daughters of her own - Isobel, 11, and Aurelia, seven.

She continued: “I have been a crafter all my life, and when I got made redundant I thought I had to take a risk, and it’s now or never.”

Visit Gemma’s page at: www. facebook. com/ raeraeandbelle

●● Rae Rae and Belle in Helmshore and (inset) Gemma Ash

Omega Holidays was established in 1979 and was family owned and managed until becoming part of the JG Travel Group in 2017. The family friendly approach to customer service remains a core part of the Omega offering.