My Oh Sew Creative journey....
I have always been a creative, practical person who enjoys designing and making. I have previously worked in the fashion industry but that seems a lifetime ago now! For the last fourteen years, I have been teaching textiles at a secondary school. I work with eleven to eighteen year olds guiding them through various projects and helping them to realise their design ideas. I love this part of my job, it really is amazing seeing the look of pride when a student completes their product. I am now a mother of two gorgeous boys who keep me very busy! When they came along I made the decision to reduce my working hours because teaching really is an all consuming job. My family had to come first, not that pile of marking! Life is a bit easier now with both boys at school and I began to consider my work options. I knew I did not want to increase my teaching load at school. My boys are still so young with so many commitments and I need flexibility. Then two years ago a friend asked me if I would do a sewing party for her nine year old daughter. I did and it was hard work but such fun too! The girls were so pleased with their creations and I felt so proud of them. It was like the best parts of my job without the marking and naughty behaviour! Oh Sew Creative was born and I have spent the last few months coming up with party project ideas and organising the business side of things. My Fizz & Feltmaking evenings were born on the way home from a school run whilst chatting to friends! We were saying why should the kids get all the fun! These evenings have really taken off and again the sense of achievement these ladies have by the end of the evening is great! I have many ideas about growing Oh Sew Creative but this all takes time and it is just little old me! One surprising development was creating a range of craft kits to sell. I have been accepted to sell these on The British Craft House website and am working hard to increase this range and my social media presence. I always thought I would do this but it was brought forward with the Covid crisis. I long for the day when I can run my workshops and events again, alongside selling my craft kits. Longer term I would like to invest in sewing machines and set up a studio. I could then offer adult and children’s courses/workshops in dressmaking and other practical creative projects.
