I never thought I’d... open my own shop
‘I truly believe this is down to Mum’
Susan Hughes, 51, from Stone in Staffordshire, lives with her husband Richard and four sons. For most of my working life I was a nurse, which I loved. But in 2006 I chose to leave to stay at home and raise my three sons. Then, aged 42, I had another son, so I was always busy!
I was glad I’d made the decision to stay at home, but after 10 years I wanted to do something for me, so I began running a network marketing business. Then, after my mum June passed away, aged 82, I changed direction. I’d always had a creative side, so I decided to take an Interior Design diploma. I soon rediscovered my passion for knitting – something Mum and I had loved to do together. I began arm knitting – where you use your arms, not needles – making beautiful products from luxury merino yarn, which I began selling on my online shop, thewoolboutique.co.uk.
When the orders rolled in, I realised how much potential there was. I’ve now opened a shop, The Artisan Boutique, in Stone, which sells local crafters’ products as well as my own. I also run workshops to show people how to arm knit.
I’m so grateful to Mum for giving me a passion for knitting. I truly believe it’s down to her I’m doing something new and exciting at this stage of my life.