60 BORN TO MAKE What began as a way to keep students creating during lockdown has evolved into Clever Hands, a thriving arts and crafts studio and shop. Here, Catherine Carmyllie, founder and owner tells us about her journey. Tell us a bit about Clever Hands Nestled in the heart of Aigburth, Liverpool, Clever Hands is a vibrant art studio and shop founded by myself, Catherine Carmyllie. We offer a warm, inclusive space where artistic exploration meets community spirit. From drawing and painting to printmaking, textiles, and crafting, we invite you to create and unwind. Come along to a class, browse our store for art supplies, kits and gifts - a larger range can be found on our website, and we ship worldwide. Who opened the shop and why? I founded Clever Hands in 2020 at the start of the pandemic. I was a mixed media and textile artist who supplemented my income by teaching workshops in social venues like cafes. When everything was cancelled overnight, I shipped the materials out by post so that my students could continue being creative at home – remember shops were shut! We started with one single style of printmaking kit – and now six years later we stock over 600 items across art, crafts, textiles and handmade gifts. At Clever Hands we believe everyone is creative in different ways – we all just need to be shown what materials to use and how! What’s special about your location? Our shop is tucked away in a small community just outside Liverpool. I’ve lived here for over 10 years, and everyone is very friendly. We’re amongst a group of small businesses such as independent hairdressers, bakeries and cafes. Aigburth has a great vibe with a lively high street. How has business been since the Covid restrictions lifted? When Covid ended, we expected to see a drop in customers looking for home based arts activities – but in fact we feel the people who discovered creativity at home in lockdown have remained – expanding their artistic experience with new skills. Have you seen a boom in the craft industry recently or a new type of customer? For us we see three types of customer: Somebody looking to spend time doing something mindful, something with their hands – to learn some new skills and to make a handmade item they are proud of – it’s an escape from everyday life. Another key customer is a discerning creative who has previous experience and is a keen learner! Looking to build on existing skills and develop their practice. We’re also seeing strong demand from customers who want to gift a creative experience, such as a class, an art supply bundle, or a DIY home kit. As people push back against mass consumerism, they’re choosing gifts that feel more meaningful, align with their values, and deliver enjoyment long after the box has been opened. Tell us a bit about what you stock? Beginner-friendly creative kits are our strongest sellers. Over the past few years, lino printing, gel printing, and fabric block printing have been especially popular, and we’re now seeing demand shift towards textile crafts such as crochet and knitting. We make a point of trying every kit ourselves, so we can stand behind its quality. Too many products in this category are created without any real hands-on knowledge, which leads to a weaker customer experience. We deliberately focus on small-batch brands, particularly those with a story and set of values that resonate with our own customers.
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