My Crafty Business Adventure!
- Rebecca Warr
- May 27, 2020
- 5 min read
Name: Rebecca Warr
Company Name: Crafty_Fabrications
Website: www.craftyfabrications.com
Social media:
Instagram.com/crafty_fabrications
Facebook.com/craftyfabrications Time in business: August 2019 Location: Worcester (UK)
Little bit about Me?
Hi, my names Becky and I’m a needle felting artist based in Worcester (UK). I mostly specialise in 3D animal and character scupltures. Although my ambition is to learn all forms of felting and will try 2D and wet felting, sometime in the near future.
What is Needle Felting?
Needle felting you say! What’s that? you say! It’s creating and making art using wool roving. Wool roving is simply sheep’s wool (fleeces). Which has been cleaned, combed and even sometimes dyed. This is then stabbed with a special needle to form a shape to combine the fibres.
Why did you decide to start your own business?
Although I call it my business I am yet to set it up as one. Due to unforeseen circumstances this has been put on hold for now. (Money/COVID19)
I decided to go on my little crafty business adventure, as for years I have made people birthday and christmas presents. All using different art forms and styles as I enjoy learning and trying new things and one year I made some needle felted presents and got hooked. Although I didn't start selling straight away as I wasn't sure. So left it for a few months then decided to go for it. Thought what do I have to loose really! If I sell something it's a bonus. I mostly started this adventure due to my mental health as I struggle to keep a "normal job" down...
Is your business your only source of income or are you also employed by someone else?
Currently my business is my only source of "income" as I briefly mentioned earlier I struggle with mental health and this does effect my day to day life and job situation. I have had many jobs. I do feel sometimes I need to stick with jobs I know I could do and like, I just seem to struggle to want to keep them. So Yeah this is my main source of "income" I say "income" like this as currently it's not generating a lot due to COVID19 and many more circumstances.
I am looking to get a "normal job" on top of this as I still do need to live, without living off my partner all the time. Although if the business picks up then I would like to do this all the time.
Do you work alone or as part of a team?
I currently work alone. I feel this is better for me as I like to create and do what I like. Although it would be nice to collaborate with another artist from time to time. Even sharing skills.
How many hours a week do you dedicate to running your business?
I wouldn't have a clue on how many hours I put into my work, as I don't charge by the hour. I charge by the size of the make. Some makes are quicker than others and also over time I have gotten a lot quicker at it. I would say a lot of hours have been put into my makes, more than you would do in an average working week. As I also run a free shout out page on instagram for handmade crafter's. So this takes up a lot of time as well and at the start of me setting it up my craft making got a little neglected.
If you had to name one thing which has been key in the success of your business what would it be?
Currently I haven't had the biggest success with the business as it's still early days and the business is still very young and was put on hold due to the virus. I would say though starting the shout out page has helped my page a lot, as I am also getting exposure on my craft page due to it. Although I don't show or use the shout out page for my craft page, it's been nice that people have recognised who I am and that I also have a craft page. I feel this has given people a bit of hope, knowing its a fellow crater that runs it.
What do you enjoy most about running your own business?
I enjoy the freedom. It's very nice to be able to just dip in and out of work and to even have days when not doing any. This helps me a lot with my mental health as there are days where I'm sadly unable to do any making due to it. I love the creative flow I get and the freedom that people give me on commissioned pieces this is always a favourite, as I don't always just use wool in my makes. I like to also use polymer or air dry clay to create a more realistic look. Such as when making beaks, eyes, and legs.
What has been the most difficult thing about running your own business?
I would say the most difficult part about running my business is that I had a plan and goal, I set for myself for this year and that was to create loads, do markets/fairs and to set the business up properly, by the end of the year. This has not been possible due to money and the virus. This has had a big impact on me and my business. Although I'm hoping to do all this now by the end of 2021.
Have you made any business mistakes and how did you overcome these?
I wouldn't say I have had any yet. Although there is still time and these things are bound to happen.
Do you have formal qualifications that were essential in starting your own business?
I have a BA Honours in Animation, where I specialised in model making. I do feel this put me on the path mostly for my passion for stop motion and model making. I wouldn't say they where essential to have as anyone can do needle felting you just need patience and practice. Although they do help as it gives me an edge on how to create armatures if needed. Although I don't tend to use them much in my makes. Only if the make is going to be articulate or requires one for other purposes.
Do you have any key life experiences which have helped your business to be successful?
Currently I wouldn't say the business has been successful as of to date. Due to it not being fully set up yet.
What advice could you offer to someone else starting up in business?
I would say go for it! Yes of course you need money to set this up. Although you don't need to set it up straight away and you may not even need a lot of money to do this. I put it of for years and am so happy that I finally did it. It has helped me grow and also be more confident in my makes. Give it a try you never know how things will turn out until you try it. Everyone should take a rise at least once in their life, otherwise what's life all about.
Are there any websites, books or organisations you would recommend to our readers thinking of starting up?
I wouldn't know about any of this as I didn't use anything just trial and error. I learnt things as I went a long. If something didn't work one way then I tried another. I did ask some advice from my partners father as he runs his own successful business. He just told me keep all receipts for the business. Including petrol and art memberships and not to worry about setting up the business completely straight away, as tax and things can be back tracked. Just have fun don't stress to much on the business side.
Thanks so much for sharing your story Rebecca. Your needle felt is great quality and I’m sure you’ll be able to come back once this crisis is over and update us about how well you’re doing. Is there a link for your shoutout page?