I can’t believe Made By Me Craft Parties is ten years old. It’s been a roller coaster ride, but I wouldn’t change it for the world.

Let’s Party! Celebrating 10 Years in Business

To celebrate 10 years in business, I hosted a craft party for grown ups in November 2024 at The Hub On The Heath in Poole, Dorset. I invited small business friends and gave away 8 places to customers and supporters via a competition.

At the party, we painted plant pots, decorated slate coasters and decorated fabric pouches. We also celebrated with delicious nibbles, drinks and cake, so much cake!

Celebrating 10 Years in Numbers

✨ 10 years ✨ 100 five star reviews ✨ 230 craft parties and events ✨ Over 2000 craft kit orders ✨ 57 DIY craft parties ✨ 52 craft classes ✨

The Highlights

I documented my first five years in business here, so let’s look at the last five years of fun.

I’ve brought my craft parties to some strange places; a yurt, a dentist’s surgery and a pub being the craziest. I’ve also battled the elements to ensure the show goes on. I braved gale force winds, 30 degree heat, storms, power cuts and let’s not forget the Beast From the East where I nearly got snowed in!

Since 2019, I’ve launched the popular Sunhats and Sunnies party and flower crown making for festivals and creative hen parties. I also published a free children’s party planning guide. An essential for all parents!

I’ve LOVED running craft parties over the years for my customers. I’ve also had the pleasure of collaborating with some wonderful companies and organisations. Including; Biscuits By Sarah B, Teeparty Event Planners, Babbington House in Frome, The Alice Lisle in the New Forest, The Hermitage Hotel in Bournemouth, Blandford and Hamworthy Military Camps, The Enchanted Nanny’s enchanted Halloween and Christmas projects during Covid, Ferndown Middle School, Children with Cancer, Bournemouth Christmas Market and Plymouth Friends and Families.

Covid: The Best of Times and the Worst of Times

When Covid hit in 2020, I had trained up an assistant and my diary was brimming with bookings. But sadly it wasn’t to be. It was scary and worrying, but there was nothing I could do. After a few months of adapting to home schooling and everyone being at home ALL of the time, a few surprising positives came out of a bad situation.

Virtual Parties from Cornwall to Scotland

I adapted and introduced virtual craft parties (they took a bit of getting used to). I presented virtual craft parties for children all over the country from Cornwall to Scotland. Celebrity Jamie Dornan’s daughter attended one of my virtual parties, safe to say I nearly fell off my seat when I saw him on screen!

Craft Kits and Other Stories

Virtual craft parties led to the design of craft kits. This was something I said I would never do. But this led to another surprise. Children With Cancer: a fantastic charity, contacted me in the summer of 2020 and asked me to send craft kits to over 100 families and run a virtual party at Christmas! I had to involve the whole family in helping with kit packing. Presenting to over 100 children was one of the scariest things I’ve ever done.

There are now over 40 craft kits on my website and 10 DIY craft party options, complete with party bags and video instructions.

Craft Along With Me

Another positive that came out of Covid was Craft Along With Me. Every week for six months, my children and I hosted a weekly live craft session on Facebook. Looking back, the first few recorded craft alongs were toe curlingly bad. But by the end of it we were pros! And hopefully, we brought a bit of light relief in the long weeks of lockdown.

We presented craft activities using everyday craft items and things from the recycling bin. The sessions became popular and we even made it into the Bournemouth Echo!

Small Business Buddies, Cheerleaders and Mentors

Working for myself can get lonely and sometimes I need a sounding board or to just escape the house. Thanks to Biscuits By Sarah B for our children’s class collaborations and annual business retreats. Also, a big thank you to Joanne Dewberry, Networking Ninja for endless advice, organising monthly netwalking and small business team building sessions. I’ve met the best small businesses and made lifelong friends.

I couldn’t have made it through the last few years without my business mentor, Jenny Pace and the Better Business Collective: an online group for creative small businesses. Thank you, Jenny, for all your wise words and to the rest of the wonderful ladies for your support and love.

Thank You and Cin Cin!

Writing this blog post has felt like writing an Oscar speech, but ten years in business is a big deal and should be celebrated.

So cheers to you, thank you for every party booking, recommendation, review, enquiry, order and collaboration. It’s been a ball and I can’t wait to see what the next 10 years will bring.