Tell us about yourself?
I live with my partner in a lovely country village in a house overlooking the river. It’s gorgeous especially in winter when the snow falls. That’s my favourite time of year, even when we do get cut off from the rest of the world. We have two grown up daughters and two grandchildren who keep us very busy when they visit at weekends. My four year old grandson is my best critic – he’s very into interior design. It must run in the family.

What is your business and what prompted you to follow this path?
I took a very brave step last year to give up my job following a long and serious episode of clinical depression. I was so lucky that I had the support of my partner who was willing to lose the financial security of my well paid professional job just to help me get better. I knew I had to do something completely different to get myself back on track. So, I started to knit again as a type of therapy and that sparked off my interest in other crafts. I bought a sewing machine, I taught myself to crochet and I started to study a Diploma in Interior Design. I soon realised that I had the skills to create something beautiful, and if I loved the items I was making then surely other people would. I started Personal Space Interiors to showcase my handmade cushions, bags and decorative products. I wanted to offer everyone the chance to have something a little different and special for their home or for themselves. I was tired of seeing the same old stuff being churned out on the high street, and often found that more individual and unusual alternatives were very expensive. So I set up my own website and opened online stores with WowThankYou and other handmade promoters to sell my high quality products at very affordable prices. Why “Personal Space Interiors”? Well, doing this has helped me to get back my sense of self and my own personal space, and I wanted to make special products to help people make their home their own personal space so the name just seemed appropriate really.

Describe your product range
I use a mix of genuine vintage and retro style fabrics to make my range of cushion covers, tote bags, padded pin boards and other decorative items. I incorporate a range of skills and crafts in my work – machine and hand sewing, knitting, crochet, embroidery and paper craft. I like to upcycle too by reusing beautiful materials in need of a makeover, for example by making cushions from curtains. Quality is key; all of my products are handmade by me and each item is given the care and attention to detail that I think quality products and the customers who buy them deserve.

Where do you make your products (home, studio etc)?
All of my products are made by me from home. I’m lucky that I live in a house with plenty of space to store all of my fabrics and equipment, but I still manage to spread everything throughout the house whenever I’m creating! My dining room is my work studio because the natural light is best there. I’d love to be able to say I was disciplined enough to clear everything away at the end of each working day but I’d be fibbing…

How is business?
Slow but steady.

How do you promote your work? Is it purely online, or do you attend shows/exhibitions, stock stores/galleries…?
I have held stalls at local craft fairs, but I’ve found that the market up here in the North East just isn’t there for homewares unlike in other areas of the country. My sales come from online buyers. I promote through my website, other online stores and social network sites. I also have my products for sale in a local interiors shop. I’ll be advertising in the local press this year and going back to basics with some leaflet drops to pick up local customers.

Have you had any famous customers? If yes, can you tell us more?
Sorry, but no exciting stories to tell!

Where would you like your business to be 5 years from now?
I’d like to be busy enough to make a living, but not so busy that I lose the enjoyment of what I do.

What has been your business highlight so far?
Getting lovely feedback from customers who were delighted with their purchases. And, getting a substantial order from a customer just before Christmas. Excellent timing for buying pressies!

What one piece of advice would you give to someone looking to set up a business similar to your own?
Don’t expect sales to come to you, you have to do the legwork to get your products out there and attract customers.

Just for fun …

Tell us a joke (keep it clean) to make us smile
The classic Christmas cracker joke from ‘The Good Life’ … “The Ooh Aah bird is so called because it lays square eggs.” It doesn’t matter how many times I see that episode it always makes me giggle!

Best book you’ve ever read, and why?
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe has always been my favourite book. I was utterly transfixed when I read it as a child and it still gives me goosebumps when I read it now.

Favourite song of all time?
That’s really difficult, I have such an eclectic taste in music. I love anything by Kate Bush, she’s probably the true musical love of my life. I’ve loved her since I was seven so that’s 33 years and counting. There are so many others Radiohead, Elbow, I am Kloot, Muse, Florence and the Machine, David Bowie …

Pets – cat or dog?
I love both but I haven’t got either at the moment. My last pet was my splendid cat Mog who wandered into my house one day and then stayed for 10 years. I don’t think he ever belonged to me, he just chose to live with me and that made him so special.

Holiday – trekking in Himalayas or shopping in Dubai?
Prague in winter for the stunning architecture, glorious Christmas market and fabulous atmosphere. I just love it!

Personal Space Interior’s products can be viewed in their online store.