About Us
What did you do before you started The Craft Teacher?
I worked for many years teaching craft in the community. I taught in college, Adult Education, Day and Residential Centres for the elderly and those with special learning needs. I loved the challenge making sure everyone learned the most they could from me, as easily as possible.
How did you get started in writing craft projects and helping children, crafters, teachers and activity leaders teachers learn and share more crafts?
I worked for Headway in Norfolk UK, teaching those with head injuries. They asked me to write down some of my activities, so they could continue enjoying crafts when my time with them finished. I realised there was a need for careful explanations that anyone could understand– whether they did craft or not!
I started to put together my Glass Painting manual so their helpers could carrying on running workshops in all the activities they had enjoyed with me. This way it didn’t matter that I was no longer with them. It was like them having their own teacher in the classroom – though really I was teaching them from the step by step instructions and photos. It was the start of all the other projects.
What do you like most about making and teaching crafts?
These days I do more writing than making though I’m about to take up a knitted bedspread I started some time ago! I love the fact I can help so many more people through my instructions than a few together in a single class.
The books have helped me share crafts with so many different groups of people – some who might not love crafts so much, but are asked to lead activities, and others wanting a ‘course in a folder’ ready to teach in structured lessons. The activity books and manuals help others share so many ideas – from quick and easy ideas to more challenging crafts. I love that it takes the stress out of doing crafts so it means more people can give creativity a go – and get things finished. That’s always bothered me – that people give up on projects before they’re completed.
What do you think is so important about having good instructions?
It’s one of my bugbears! I’ve always thought it’s the teacher’s responsibility to teach things well and most instructions aren’t written well enough. I think from a teacher’s point of view. What info do I want, and if I’m in a hurry can I be sure everything I need it there, carefully explained and laid out? It’s just important I think that instructions are ‘easy on the eye’ so it’s quick to find your way around and figure out where you left off – or what next.
All my projects are written in the same style and layout so things are consistent. The look of the project on the page is just as important as the words and steps that take you to the finishing line! If the reader doesn’t complete the project then it’s not been written well.
And as a teacher I know how important it is to have success in things early on, so I break things down into sections. It’s not rocket science, but the idea works.
It’s lovely when people say you made it so easy … especially if they have had years of feeling rubbish at doing crafts!
What do you like doing when you’re not working?
It’s important to take time to keep in touch with family and friends. These days I’ve family all over the world – a brother in Macau, a daughter in Bangkok and a niece in Dubai. I schedule time to keep in touch and to get together with friends – whether it’s days out, a drink after work, a meal or a show.
I love the theatre and have just seen The Phantom of the Opera in London and Feet of Flames – Michael Flately. Our Norwich Theatre Royal is particularly good.
What are some things about you that hardly anyone knows?
I used to ring the bells at my local church in Neatishead, Norfolk. I took my two small children there every Friday practice night as I learnt to ring Bob Doubles and other Methods. 
Now I enjoy listening to church bells over the streets of Norwich. There are some wonderful churches here – the highest number of medieval churches in one European City.
I also still work at my local male prison. I’ve worked there for almost 7 years now. I used to run the Toe by Toe programme training volunteer prisoners how to teach other prisoners how to read. There was a good success rate. Reading is so important in life and it holds so many prisoners back from being all they can be. I won a company Community Superstar Award presented at the Globe Theatre – Shakespeare’s famous theatre in London.
I’m a Spiritualist and believe if you can touch just one person in your lifetime, then you’ve made a difference. Writing craft projects, teaching and working with prisoners helps me to do that each and every day. It’s a simple thought – helping others and myself to be all you can be.