Today we’re thrilled to introduce you to Kate, the wonderfully eclectic creator behind HandCrafted by Kate. At 46, Kate’s crafting journey has been lifelong, fuelled by creativity, curiosity, and a love for making beautiful things that bring smiles to others.
Kate lives in South Wales with her husband of 14 years and their two daughters. Before becoming a full-time mum, she worked as an IT Support Technician for 16 years, but crafting has always been part of who she is.
“I’ve always been a bit crafty,” Kate smiles. “Since I was young, I loved drawing, sketching, colouring, and writing. In my early twenties, I started crafting properly by making and selling handmade cards – before it became a mainstream hobby! When everyone else started making cards too, I shifted to creating unique embellishments for other card makers. Orders came in constantly, but eventually I had to pause as it took over all of my time.”
An Eclectic Style and Endless Inspiration
Kate describes her style as eclectic – she never sticks to one type of craft, and that’s what she loves most about what she does.
“I like having an idea and just seeing if I can actually create it. I flit about, trying my luck with different materials and techniques. I’ve made fairy doors out of clay, painted personalised family wooden street sign plaques, crafted wreaths in various styles, and even painted intricate camper van ornaments. Those were a big seller for me at one point, and I loved reading each customer’s requests and the history behind them.”
When asked where her inspiration comes from, Kate explains she likes to take what’s popular and give it her own bespoke spin. “I try to make items you wouldn’t generally see for sale. Something uniquely individual.”
The Making Process
Currently, Kate’s favourite creations are her hanging feltie characters, perfect for Halloween and Christmas trees.
“They’re made from simple felt and toy stuffing, but I love the process of cutting the felt, building the character’s features, sewing them together, and watching them come to life.”
Depending on what she’s working on, her creations can take anywhere from a few hours for smaller felties to several days for her larger wreaths or personalised signs. “It all depends on the work involved,” she says.
Behind the Scenes at HandCrafted by Kate
Kate doesn’t have a dedicated studio – instead, she works from her dining table in the living room. “Luckily it’s a large six-seater, so there’s plenty of space to spread out all my materials!” she laughs.
Her typical day depends on whether she has orders to complete. “When I don’t have requests to fill, I try to build stock of my most popular items or work on creating new ideas. Sometimes I get bored recreating the same item that sells well and need a break to work on something new.”
While crafting, Kate likes to watch box sets in the background. “Nothing too intense though – no murder mysteries! I need to concentrate on my creations.”
Proud Moments and Achievements
One of Kate’s proudest achievements has been supplying her creations to gift shops across Wales and the UK. “I’ve stocked shops with wreaths, ornaments, and wooden plaque bottle openers. I love it when people trust me to create bespoke items for them – it’s a real honour.”
But the thing that warms her heart the most is knowing her creations have travelled all over the world. “People have bought my items to send to the US, Canada, Australia, Spain, and France. It gives me warm fuzzies to think of my creations being loved in so many places.”
Life Beyond Crafting
When she’s not crafting, Kate loves to read. “I always tell my daughters how important reading is, so I make sure I put time aside to enjoy a good novel.” She also enjoys watching her daughters grow into their own unique characters and spending quality time with her family.
Another thing Kate is proud of is her involvement with her daughters’ primary school. “I’m just about coming to the end of a long seven-year stretch on the PTA, and I’m really proud of the time I’ve put into raising money for the school.”
Looking Ahead
In the next year, Kate hopes her shop will help her continue creating items that make people smile. “Each sale is incredibly special. I thank each and every customer for their interest in my creations.”
She’s always thinking of new ideas – many of which come to her while walking her Cockerpoo. “I’d love to do more with oven-drying clay; it’s probably my favourite material to work with, but I rarely use it.”
Kate also dreams of learning how to crochet, a skill that has eluded her despite many attempts. “Both my grandmother and mother tried to teach me, but my brain just refuses to retain it. I marvel at people who can crochet such beautiful pieces.”
✨ Visit HandCrafted by Kate’s shop today to browse her eclectic creations – each one lovingly handmade with creativity, care, and a little sprinkle of magic.
👉 Shop Now
