Craft business founded by ex-Rolls-Royce engineer wins national award

Crafty You, Crafty Me, which was founded by a former Rolls-Royce engineer during the pandemic, has scooped a national award.

Sarah Hodgkinson set up the business in July 2020 after taking redundancy from the engineering giant’s civil aerospace business.

Since then, Crafty You, Crafty Me, which sees Sarah produce craft kits for enthusiasts and host creative workshops across the UK, has been a big hit with demand for its felting, sewing and DIY mosaic packs at an all-time high.

She has now recently been awarded top prize in the prestigious Best New Product category of the Craft Business Awards 2021 for her mosaic coaster party pack.

She said: “The past 18 months has been a huge learning curve for me, and I am absolutely over the moon to have received such huge recognition for my business from industry insiders.

“The mosaic party pack has been one of our biggest sellers this year.

“We’ve had a lot of orders for the Christmas mosaic and Christmas sewing kits – including a big order for 800 sets from a buyer in Manchester – as people start their Christmas shopping.

“Our festive felting kits have been really popular, too.”

Sarah has had support for her fledgling business from fellow SMEs in Derby and Derbyshire.

She has collaborated with small companies, including Swadlincote cosmetics brand Divine Box and Colleague Box – the Derby business set up during the first national lockdown by Spondon husband-and-wife, Adam and Natalie Bamford.

Sarah said: “A lot of hard work has gone into making Crafty You, Crafty Me a success over the last year-and-a-bit – and having the support of other local businesses like Divine Box and Colleague Box has been a huge boost.”

As for 2022, Sarah is planning new ranges and workshops throughout the year – and has an ambition to break into the wholesale market.

She said: “Selling kits in large quantities is something that we’re getting better at and there is a real need for it.

“I’m excited to see the business grow further in 2022 and this award gives us the kudos to push on.”