Our Crafty Place began as a passion project between two friends, Kate and Viv, whose bond started through a mutual love of music — Kate’s clarinet playing and Viv’s husband Phil’s shared passion for the instrument. But it was in early 2023, during an exciting “oh my goodness” moment, that we realised our true calling: sharing our love of crafting with others.
Over a delicious lunch (and a cocktail or two!), we knew that combining our creative energy into a business was what we wanted for the rest of our careers. And just like that, Our Crafty Place was born!
Since then, we’ve been working hard to bring our vision to life.
We’re full of ideas and excitement for the future, and we’re dedicated to making Our Crafty Place a hub for a wide variety of crafts, where everyone can feel creative, supported, and part of a community.
The Crafty People
Viv
Hello there! Until May 2023, I was a Paediatric Occupational Therapist, a career I began back in 1987 (eeks!). Then, later in my career, I became an Advanced Sensory Integration Practitioner. After all those years, it felt like the perfect time for a change. I’ve had the privilege of working with incredible children and young adults who have profoundly shaped my life, and I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to each of them.
Throughout my OT journey, I developed strong problem-solving skills and an in-depth understanding of activity analysis. I’ve collaborated closely with individuals facing physical, sensory, and learning difficulties, and have run various groups for children of all ages. Additionally, I created tailored programmes for schools and colleges, and co-ran a limited company with a fellow OT, providing training for independent practitioners and organising large-scale conferences.
So, why open a Craft Centre? While I don’t have formal qualifications in crafting, my passion for it just keeps growing! Although I dabbled in crafts during my OT training, I only truly discovered my love for crafting later in life. I was once told in school that I lacked the talent for it, which affected my confidence for years. This experience drives my desire to help others experience the joy and mindfulness that crafting can bring. No one should miss out on the contentment (and challenges!) that creativity can inspire.
At Our Crafty Place I aim to create an environment where everyone feels heard, empowered, and inspired. I look forward to being there every day. Plus, I’m eager to expand my own crafting skills: I have a passion for fused glass and am hoping to improve my needle felting!
Outside of work, you’ll find me making cards, cooking, spending quality time with my husband and friends, going on walking holidays, enjoying live jazz music, dancing whenever I can, gardening and indulging in cake!
Kate
From a young age, I’ve been surrounded by creativity. Growing up in a practical, crafty family, I learned to knit, sew, draw, and paint. This early influence led me to study Art and Textiles at A-Level.
Music has also been a big part of my life. I started playing the clarinet at 11 and picked up the saxophone at 40, while also dabbling with the flute.
My first career was in fashion, where I worked as a pattern cutter and grader, translating designers’ ideas into garment templates. Later, I became a computer programmer, but after having my two amazing children, I found a way to balance work with family life by teaching music privately and in schools.
Crafting, however, has always been my happy place. Over the years, I’ve dived into all sorts of creative projects, from paintings and cards to full stage settings for children’s concert – often with little more than a cardboard box and some pipe-cleaners! Whether it’s wedding decorations or intricate Cricut designs, I’m always excited to bring ideas to life.
Opening Our Crafty Place is a natural extension of what I love. When I’m not crafting or helping others get creative at the centre, you’ll find me playing music, enjoying good food and wine with family and friends, or diving into my next creative project.
Life’s too short to twiddle your thumbs – there’s always something crafty to be made!
What is a CIC and why do we want to be one?
CIC stands for Community Interest Company and it does exactly what is says on the tin!
It is a company that looks out for the interests of the community. It is ‘not for profit’, with all profits being put straight back into the company, to ensure we can provide crafting for the whole community, especially those who may not have the funds.
From the very beginning we have wanted to be a place of well-being where everyone would feel welcome. This means we will need to fund raise and fund raise hard!
Being a CIC shows potential funders that we are not doing this to make money for ourselves and that their funding will go directly to making a positive difference to peoples lives.
The Official Stuff
Our Crafty Place CIC is a craft centre that will benefit the local and wider communities, by providing well-being through crafting activities. All will be welcome regardless of, ability, race, ethnicity, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, immigration status, religion, or any form of disability.
Our Crafty Place CIC is a business limited by shares, schedule 2. Meaning that the accounts are asset locked and directors cannot be paid dividends. When we became a CIC we had to nominate a charity that we will pass the company to, when we ‘hang up our executive director hats’. Our charity of choice is the National Autistic Society.
The centre will be offering a combination of:
- one-off, specific-craft, full-day paid workshops for up to 8 people only, so each person can have time with the tutor without feeling rushed.
- half-day / evening reduced-cost craft courses.
- up to 2 drop-in morning/afternoon general craft sessions per week, for anyone in the community. People will be asked to give a donation towards the running of these sessions. We aim not to have more than 20 people at a time, so it does not become too overwhelming (however, this number will be increased for certain events).
- bespoke sessions for crafters with specific disabilities if they may find it hard to join in with the general population. As just one example, a person with autism may require their environment to take into account their varying sensory needs; so may need less noise, reduced lighting and different instructions to help them complete tasks.
- free sessions, run as specific projects with targeted funding sought, for those who cannot afford to attend, or have specific needs where payment would not be requested.
People who have never had the opportunity to engage in crafts will be able to do so, whatever their circumstance.
People who want to improve their crafting abilities will do so in a positive, supportive environment.