More and more of us are putting our creativity to good use and starting to make things for the home or to sell. Fay has taken the bold move to start a home-based business as a crafter and explains how she got started.
Tell us about your job
I hand-paint and personalise canvases for all ages, but specifically babies and kids.
What appealed to you about your career choice?
I have always been creative, but this allows my design skills to come into play as well as my artistic skills.
How did you get into it (qualifications needed, experience etc.)?
I came up with the idea after seeing some similar canvases online, but they were very generic, I wanted mine to be specifically design for the theme of each child/room.
What does a typical day involve?
I will go through all orders I have on file, but as my work can take anything from 2 days – 2/3 weeks to complete most days are fairly steady. If I’m not sketching, then I’m painting. I check social media and post to various accounts as much as I can (but sometimes work takes over as I do this whilst working a normal 9-5 P/T job) and check my emails in the evening for any customer correspondence or orders.
Is there any scope for family-friendly working (flexi-time or work at home days)
I can work the whole thing round my family as I can paint at any time of the day or night so I have no time restraints. It means I can be here to pick up the children or go to their plays, sports day etc. Occasionally at say Christmas time it can get a bit manic, but the boys are getting to an age where they understand and let me get on. I manage my diary very precisely so that I can ensure I don’t take on too much or overstretch myself.
Are there any specific benefits or perks?
I get to paint beautiful things all day and make people happy. I get to spend as much time with my kids as I choose. I find it’s my release and look forward to the day when I can do full time.
What aspects do you enjoy most about your job?
Seeing the clients reaction to their canvas and seeing it in situ.
Are there any parts of your job that you don’t enjoy and how do you deal with these?
If I happen to be late with an order. It doesn’t happen often but sometimes outside influences means I don’t finish when I have said I would. To date it has only been twice and the clients have been very understanding.
Are you able to progress further? What other career options are open to you having done this kind of job?
As I said earlier I do this alongside a p/t job I already have at the moment, I would love within the next couple of years to have given up the ‘day job’ and be doing this full time.
What advice would you give someone wanting to get into this line of work/career?
Follow your heart, be yourself and stick to your individuality. It may take time, but keep at it as it’s definitely worth it in the end. Social Media and communication are your lifeline as most of your business will come from either word of mouth or online, so make your presence known!
Bio
My name is Fay, I’m 40 years old, married with 3 beautiful boys. Originally from Scotland, I lived in London for many years and finally settled with my husband just outside York.
Website: www.henryfredandfelicity.com