Sanderling Crafts

Bridlington based beader, beachcomber and crocheter

I recently moved to Bridlington after spending a few years living on a narrowboat. Before that I spent 20 years living in Aberystwyth in Wales but, at last, I am home as I am a Yorkshire lass by birth. The canal system was glorious but there is nothing like being back by the sea again. Strolling along the spectacular beaches here make me wonder why we ever left it. It gives so much. Not only in terms of shells and sherds etc but in terms of its soothing and calming influence.

Why Sanderling Crafts? Well my business used to go by a different name - Handmade on Aspen - which was the name of my boat. As we no longer own Aspen I needed a new name. Seeing Sanderlings skittering along the shoreline here on South Beach in Bridlington convinced me that I wanted to name my company after this pretty and delicate bird with its ballet like movements. So Sanderling Crafts it is.

There are three strands to my business:

1. Fairly traded and recycled coloured beads, mainly sourced in Africa, which I use to make bracelets and earrings. Mostly bought from makers in Ghana and Uganda these beads are made from old bottles, magazines and even old cassette boxes! Not only are they recycled but are bought at a fairly traded price. The silver beads - the spirals, Tree of Life shapes, sea shapes etc - and the wires, are not fairly traded but are sourced in the UK. The ear wires for the earrings are always sterling silver. I keep it simple with memory wire bangles and matching earrings. I also sell earrings separately. All items come with a box.

2. Wooden painted plaques with appliqued shells and pottery sherds sourced here in Bridlington. Simple star or heart shapes, painted with the colours of the sea and studded with locally found shells. Kitsch but pretty.

3. Crocheted hats, scarves, gloves, shawls etc. Mainly for winter sales obviously. I only use good yarn and all items are hand made by me. All items are blocked.

I started my beading whilst based in Aberystwyth and had success with craft fairs in mid Wales and in local shops. I then moved to live on a narrowboat and traded from the cut. Whilst on my narrowboat I began crocheting also. I am now based in Bridlington and am looking to find outlets locally.