This article is more than 2 years old
Helen Barrett Bright Ideas Awards: Jenny’s craft kits
Hi Jenny! Could you tell us about yourself and your business?
I’m Jenny, I’m 35 and I was diagnosed with CF at birth. I had a lung transplant at 19, so it is coming up to 17 years since my operation.
I was unable to work before my transplant. After I had my operation, I returned to college then went on to university and gained a degree in Entertainment Design Crafts (Costume) and then worked freelance for a travelling theatre company.
In 2019, the work was impacting my physical and mental health, so I decided to leave. Shortly after, COVID-19 hit, and like many people with CF I had to shield. It was at this time I reassessed what I wanted to do. I decided to return to university to complete my MA in History. It seemed to be perfect timing to go ahead and explore after shielding for so long.
My business idea is to create DIY craft kits, combining my arts degree with my history degree. Learn a craft while learning some history.
What led you to apply for a 2023 Helen Barrett Bright Ideas Award?
I graduated in 2022 and the following year I began to explore the idea of returning to work in a self-employed capacity. I became aware of the Helen Barrett Bright Ideas Awards after contacting the Trust through their Work Forwards scheme. With their support and guidance, I applied and while waiting I continued to get advice and support.
How will working for yourself help you balance work and your CF?
Working for myself seems the best option for me. Not just for my CF health, but also for my transplant health as the pandemic reminded me how vulnerable and susceptible I am to illnesses that can spread so quickly within the community. Working for myself will allow me to be flexible for hospital appointments and treatments, while also dictating the pace and hours I feel comfortable and well enough to do.
What might the challenges be?
I anticipate a few challenges in the first 12 months of business as I navigate the self-employment world with CF. These will not stop me, but I think just extra planning especially with appointments, getting into a routine and keeping motivated. I have amazing support from my family and friends as well as my care teams so I feel confident I can do this. Also building up a strong customer base will require thorough market research which will take up most of my time to begin with.
What are you going to use the grant money for?
The grant will me help with start-up costs such as marketing materials, courses to expand my knowledge and understanding of self-employment, software to allow me to create digital craft kits and be able to build stock and kits ready for sale.
What are your future plans for your business?
My vision for my business is to reach people who maybe would not otherwise try crafts or want to pursue a new craft to gain a new skill and learn history too. To begin, this will be by selling kits via online platforms as well as local fairs. From there, I hope to sell to local sewing and craft groups as well as supply perhaps hospital settings, as I loved doing cross-stitch and crafty things during my hospital stays!
Once more established, I hope to open a shop/unit that can offer classes in crafts and history and become a social event allowing people who have similar interests to come and share ideas and learn not just from the classes and kits, but from each other.
What would you say to someone who is thinking of applying for an Award?
I would say to just go for it, trust your idea and vision. Make sure you have a clear idea though, and don’t be afraid to reach out and ask for advice and guidance. Make sure it is something you are passionate about too and that will shine through on your application.
Where can people find out more about your business?
I am still in the process of conducting market research and trialing samples to gain some data and better my understanding of the market I want to enter and the audience I want to reach. I have an Instagram account for my business but it is not active yet: @thelittlecraftyhistorian.
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic condition which causes sticky mucus to build up in the lungs and digestive system. It affects more than 11,000 people in the UK. One in 25 of us carries the faulty gene that causes it, usually without knowing.
The Helen Barrett Bright Ideas Awards are available for anyone with CF over the age of 18 to help support your dream career or hobby. Whatever you need to make your lightbulb moment a reality, a Helen Barrett Bright Ideas Award can help you on your way.