Meet the maker behind Crafty Mutt
What began as a creative escape became a small business built around family, love and meaningful pieces made to be treasured.
Creativity has always been part of who I am
As a child, I was forever making something—from elaborate junk models to handmade cards. At just 12 years old, a friend and I set up our first market stall, proudly selling cards we’d made using a £12.99 craft kit from Argos that I’d received for my birthday. Looking back, I think that was the beginning of my small business journey, even if I didn’t know it then.
For as long as I can remember, I was determined to become a teacher. From the age of four, that was the dream, and when I finally achieved it, teaching quickly became my whole world.
It wasn’t until COVID and my first maternity leave that I found my way back to being creative. I bought a Cricut machine and started making personalised clothing and homeware, bringing together my love of creating and making people smile.
Stitch by stitch, it became the therapy I didn’t know I needed.
From a quiet escape to something much bigger
When my second daughter, Talia, was born, everything changed. She faced a number of health challenges, and it took well over a year before we began to get any answers. Those months were incredibly difficult.
Looking for something to occupy my hands and quieten my anxious mind, I decided to try hand embroidering a cardigan for my girls after spotting similar designs online. Many evenings were spent with Talia sleeping upright on my chest while I embroidered beside her. It gave me something positive to focus on and stopped me endlessly searching the internet for answers.
Before long, friends and family began asking if I could make pieces for them too. That’s when I realised this little idea might become something much bigger.
When it was time to return to teaching after my second maternity leave, Talia became unwell and was hospitalised with RSV. In that moment, I knew I couldn’t return to the classroom. I loved teaching, but I loved my girls more.
The income from my little business helped bridge the gap while I looked for a new path, and little by little, The Crafty Mutt Knitwear grew into the business it is today.
