Hand-made funding solution crafted for award-winning North Shields Business
A thriving North East business is powering ahead after receiving finance from the Business Enterprise Fund (BEF).
Craft Yourself Silly, based in North Shields, creates and sells a wide range of craft packs, including weaving, felting and sewing kits. Founder and champion of crafts Hayley Smith opened the business in 2013 and employs 7 people. She also appears with her products on telesales channel Hochanda.
The craft market in the UK is worth over £400m annually, and has doubled in the last 10 years. With a growing demand, Hayley made the move to invest in a one of a kind digital fabric printer, that can print complex designs onto cotton.
Hayley said:
“Our clients are always after the latest products and demand high quality. We’re now some of the only people who can print on higher quality materials, so it’s a great opportunity.”
The purchase was made possible thanks to a loan of £50k from BEF.
Assisting with the loan, investment manager, Ian Thompson, said:
“Hayley is really passionate about the business, which comes across on her television appearances! It’s also clear they work well as a team, which is key.”
Craft Yourself Silly has also won New Exporter of the Year at the North East Export Awards in September, going on to win New Exporter of the Year in the Lloyds Bank National Business Awards 2016 as well.
Hayley said:
“We’re over the moon at this.. I brought my Dad down with me to the awards in London and it’s great to head back up North with a trophy! Our demand overseas is growing, particularly in the USA and we’re looking to continue investing.”
