Each month at The Home Crafters we spend some time with one of our crafters, getting to know them a little bit better, finding out more about their craft and sharing their story with you.
May 2023, our Maker of the Month is Kerry from Mummy Moo Crafts
Kerry has been a seller, volunteer and avid supporter of The Home Crafters since almost the very beginning. An all-rounder, she can put her hand to most crafts and, if she doesn’t know how to do something she is more than keen to learn…
Here's her story:
“Firstly, why Mummy Moo Crafts?"
Mummy Moo Crafts came about mainly through my love of crafts and wondering what to do with everything I create, once all the family had presents. I do lots of different crafts but crochet is my passion and scrapbooking my love. The name.... well my kids have called me Mummy Moo for a long time so it was an obvious choice really.
"So, tell us a little bit more about you, how you started your craft and turned it into a business…"
I’m a very proud mum of 2 grown up kids, Josh and Sam and even better I’m a granny to two gorgeous grandsons, Deacon who’s 4 and Denver who is just 2. Being a granny is the absolute best job on the planet and I spend as much time as I possibly can with them, they are my sunshine.
My crafting started when I was very young; my granny was a seamstress and made dresses for ladies to be presented to Royalty, she taught me to sew and bake. My Mum was also a big crafter. She was always making things for school fetes, Brownies and nursery. So, I guess crafting has always been in my blood.
I didn’t learn to crochet until I was 50 after attending the classes at The Home Crafters. Then, when Deacon was born, I wanted a way to capture his life moments so went to a scrapbooking course, also at The Home Crafters. Since then, I’ve fallen in love with mixed media and scrapbooking, met a wonderful friend and started to go to retreats and days of scrapbooking.
“Tell us about a typical day in the life"
I’m afraid I’m one of those people who needs a routine. I’m up by 7.30am shower and breakfast. Then it’s vacuum..... yes every day! another thing I got from my mum; always cleaning!.
Some days I don’t make it into my craft room as we have the grandkids, but I do try to get in there as often as possible.
I attend the Yarn Over Coffee craft group every week, and volunteer in the craft shop on Thursday mornings but I always crochet most afternoons whilst watching the TV.
I also think it’s important to get some time to recharge so I try and spend time in my garden which I adore. When we moved into our house there was no garden at all, just a patch of grass so I’m very proud of the tranquil space we have now created. I could potter for hours out there.
We also have a motorhome and I love just packing up and journeying.
“You attend a few craft groups, when was the last time you learnt a new skill?"
Like most people say you learn something every day. The last craft related thing I learnt was how to make a concertina folding book.
“What do you make and sell?”
My range of products to sell has evolved over the years, from hand-sewn dolls and needlepoint cushions to my current line of crochet animals and characters. I always keep a stock of my little animals in the craft shop and on the website, but everything else I make is just what catches my eye. I’m always on the lookout for yarn and cute crochet patterns.
At the moment I am having a great time creating gnomes and gonks! I currently sell my baby bunnies in pastel shades but, as they are such a good seller, I’m working on the same bunnies but in some bright and vibrant colours next.
I’ve made quite a few odd things for special customer orders over the years too: crocheted boobs for a set of ladies on a sponsored cycle for breast cancer research and a log fire for a Brownie group to sing around.
All of the stock small animals I sell at The Home Crafters shop and online are CE tested, which is a long and tricky process but worth it if it means children can enjoy my creations too!
“What’s your favourite part of having your own craft business?"
Well, there are highs and lows to having a craft hobby business, the lows are when you’ve put all your effort, time and love into creating but don’t make any sales for ages. Every business has these moments though and you just have to work through it, trust there will always be someone who loves what you do and be patient for them to find you!
The highs? well I’ve had loads of repeat buyers and I even have customers that come back week after week to buy my products from the craft shop in Yate, but the biggest buzz I have had lately was selling 2 unicorn toys that were sent to Australia! I even had photos sent back of the little girls loving them.
Another great part of earning from your hobby is being able to pay for our holidays and getaways!
“What’s your go-to tool or piece of equipment?"
I’m lucky enough to have a craft room, which is usually full of stuff but organised. As a clean freak I like to tidy up every day or so.
I use a range of crochet hooks called Clover, they have soft handles and are great to use.
My other favourite is my glue gun. I use it for so many things... mind you it has also removed my finger prints and it hurts if you get it on your skin!
“What’s next for Mummy Moo?"
I’m always looking for new patterns and trends for toys, so my business adapts all the time. It also depends on the time of year, I do special things for Mother’s Day, Christmas or Easter.
Gnomes are really popular right now so I am concentrating on expanding that range and, even though it's only May…. I am going to start making my stock for Christmas very soon!
“Any parting words of wisdom?"
The best decision I’ve made craft-wise was to get involved with The Home Crafters. I love it!
The Home Crafters have given me more than just somewhere to sell my creations. They've also helped me meet lots of great new friends, given me confidence in my work and I have learned so many new skills over the years!
I highly recommend anyone who wants to start a hobby business or sell their creations to speak to Sophie and Kirsty!
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If you are interested in starting a hobby business, are looking for an outlet for your handmade products and maybe would love to be featured as our next Maker of the Month please do get in touch with us either in store at our craft shop in Yate Shopping Centre or via our contact us page here. We would love to hear from you!
