Member Article

North East entrepreneur’s popular craft show to return for a second series

Crafting show Be Creative, presented by Durham-born Sara Davies and filmed in the North East, has secured a second series, following a well received debut.

Local craft businesses have been vocal in the support for the programme, which has enjoyed a national slot on Made Television in Tyne & Wear, Teesside & Yorkshire, Cardiff, Bristol and Leeds.

Such support has come from Northumbrian Candleworks, South Shields based Knit ‘n’ Pearl and local artists such as Sheena Douglass, with the show now set to expand to the East Midlands down to Peterborough, Northern Lincolnshire, East Yorkshire, Merseyside and North Wales.

Hosted by craft entrepreneur Sara, founder of Crafter’s Companion, the show presents a rare opportunity to showcase the trade to a mainstream audience.

Sara revealed: “We have been absolutely blown away by the feedback from the viewing public so far, which has obviously led to the decision to commission a follow-up series with the support of the sponsor Create & Craft to expand its reach to new areas.

“I am incredibly passionate about craft but am just as passionate about supporting local craft companies. The show has given us an ideal platform to really champion some of the craft stars in the North-East, which is fantastic as it also allows us to showcase our beautiful region to people across the UK.”

Sara’s company Crafter’s Companion specialises in the manufacture and distribution of crafting tools along with its own brand goods. Its products are sold online via its website, via TV shopping channels across the world and through independent retail shops in the UK and Europe.

As well as running her business, 31 year-old Sara is also an angel investor with Gabriel Investors and a business mentor through Entrepreneurs’ Forum and UKTI. It was her role with the Entrepreneurs’ Forum that actually led to a meeting with business owner and head chandler at Northumbrian Candleworks, Peter Cooke.

Peter said: “The show is a fantastic concept and we were thrilled to be invited to take part in one of the first episodes. Interestingly, I actually met Sara on a mentoring day with the Entrepreneurs Forum a few months ago and I don’t think either of us would have expected that initial chance meeting would have led to such an outcome.

“After being confirmed as the presenter, Sara thankfully remembered me and our business. As a result, the work we do at Northumbrian Candleworks has reached people on a scale that we could only dream of.”

The first series of Be Creative has included six half hour programmes covering a variety of popular crafts including stamping, sewing, sugar craft, knitting, candle making and jewellery.

The show, which is sponsored by Create & Craft, caters for beginners, intermediates and advanced levels with Sara bringing in a relevant guest expert for each show.