Essie & Abi - About Us

About Us

Heathersedge Crafts is based in Hathersage in the beautiful Hope Valley, Peak District National Park. The name of the ancient settlement of Hereseige is thought by some to have its roots in the descriptive words "Heathers Edge" and if you visit the area in the summer or autumn and see how the land is filled with such beautiful purple heather you will see why it may have gained that name.

ESSIE
I started Heathersedge after a good friend introduced me to the joy of crafting. One simple (and slightly crooked!) running stitch embroidery outline of a pig and a flower and I was hooked for life!  I quickly realised that I enjoyed creating my own designs more than I liked following patterns so I began to try my hand at a wide variety of crafts, some more successfully than others...   
I enjoy embroidery, cross-stitch, resin work and making miniatures. I have life-limiting health conditions and am housebound as a result. This has been difficult to come to terms with, and crafting has kept me (reasonably) sane over the years. Over time, and with feedback and support from my family and friends, I realised I could do more and turned my crafting hobby into a hobby business. I spoke to my sister, Abi, to see if she would like to team up with me and to my delight, she said yes.
  

ABI

I lost my sight several years ago due to optic nerve atrophy. Before this, I was an artist and photographer, selling my work on my website, on Facebook and at craft fairs. Losing my sight was devastating for me, but perhaps as devastating was losing my ability to be creative. It took me a long time to adjust to having no sight, but in time, I came to terms with it and began to search for new ways to express my creativity. I took up crochet and have made many crochet toys that I have donated to local schools and nurseries. When Essie asked me to join her, I was very excited. I make various crocheted items, including toys, scented home décor, hats, bags, gloves, and Christmas decorations. We also sell prints of my paintings and photographs from before I lost my sight.

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