Hartlepool mum and daughter making a go of crafty business idea

Gayle Longmire and her daughter Jennie Longmire have set up Jencraft in Raby Road in Hartlepool.

It’s a haven for anyone wanting materials for knitting, sewing, card making, crocheting and jewellery making.

Gayle, 59, and Jennie, 31, are also running workshops. Jewellery making starts at 6pm on Tuesdays; Learn To Knit at 10am on a Wednesday; Crocheting at 1pm on a Wednesday; and Knit And Natter at 6pm on a Thursday.

And for both of them, it’s a dream come true which utilises their skills at craftwork.

Gayle, who retired from Hartlepool Sixth Form College and now works in dyslexia assessment in schools and colleges, said: “We came up with the idea when we were sitting in the car.

“I have always enjoyed crafts and she is creative.”

The pair first discussed the idea of a business last October and set themselves a target of making a decision by Christmas Eve.

But long before then, they spotted the ideal base in Raby Road, and, after being handed the keys, had the business up and running in early 2016.

She said Jennie was “thoroughly loving” the new venture, and is already adding to its offer by making cross-stitch kits for children, while Gayle hopes to do the same with other crafts.

“We want to bring in more workshops as well and we want people to be aware that we are going to do more.”

She said the plan for Jencraft is to develop the company in the first year, including designing more knitwear.