Craft work gets Ginger spice; Busy mum teams up with Uni's textile graduates.

Byline: ANNE-MARIE SENIOR

As any mum of young children knows, grasping a few sacred minutes to pursue your own hobby is no easy task. But it seems Lowerhouses mum Rebecca Kilner has come up with a way of juggling the two while offering Huddersfield University's textile graduates a career platform. ANNE-MARIE SENIOR discovers the secret of how this busy mum-of-two has satisfied her creative lust by setting up her own business.

MOTHERHOOD is a life-changing experience for most women. But for Rebecca Kilner, it was a major turning point in her career as the busy mum-of-two struggled to balance her strong creative flair with the hectic demands of family life.

The former university coordinator gave up her full time job three years ago to have Damson, three, closely followed by 20-month-old Tabitha.

Now - with the help of recent Huddersfield graduates - she is on the brink of putting Huddersfield's luxury handmade crafts on the map with the launch of a new business, Ginger.

And with a fantastic line-up of original gifts, fashions and accessories, Rebecca and her business partner, Ceri Jones, hope to whet shoppers' appetites for all things local and bespoke made by several people who have joined the project.

Rebecca, 33, of Lowerhouses, said: "Being a mum, I don't have enough time to be able to produce enough things to sell. "I can't sit down and guarantee I'll be able to create enough stock.

"I thought there were probably a lot of mums out there who want a creative outlet, but don't have enough time like myself.

"It takes a lot of my time to create things and then there isn't enough time left to market it or sit on a stall selling it.

"It occurred to me that we've also got a fantastic pool of talent coming out of Huddersfield University, so I approached a few of them. "I want Ginger to become the next port of call for graduates leaving Huddersfield. It could be a springboard to the next big thing."

The bubbly red-head has always dabbled in creative crafts - from her early days setting up a university knitting club to her more recent jewellery-making and embroidery projects. But, since becoming a mum, time has become her biggest constraint.

Rebecca, who is married to Jason, said: "I have always done a lot of bits and bobs, but my house is full of half-finished projects. "I never seem to get a couple of hours to myself to be able to concentrate, but I know it will get easier as the children get older.

"I would say I have become more interested in domestic arts generally as I've got older. "I am always doing something, but I have learned to make the most of my pleasures in the small amount of time I get to myself." Rebecca, who also works part-time at Sainsbury's, has compiled a catalogue of the handmade goods which include bags, jewellery, hair accessories, cushions, photo albums, belts, tea cosies and art work.

She plans to sell the stock through a network of home parties and craft fairs - such as the event being held at the Lawrence Batley Theatre this Saturday.

She said: "The problem is that many people just don't have the time to seek out the talented designers our region has to offer.

"Ginger takes that pressure away by bringing the products to customers' homes for they and their friends to sample and buy at their leisure. "Things will literally be made to order so can be personalised and we will aim to deliver them within 28 days. "We're doing it all on a shoestring budget. We've got about 20 artists working with us at the moment, but we really want more.

"If there is anybody out there who is busy squirrelling away making things, we would love to hear from them."

Huddersfield textile crafts graduate Charlene Johnson is among Ginger's designers. She set up her own business creating printed textiles and accessories last year.

She said Ginger has taken a lot of the business pressure off her to allow her to concentrate on her designs. She said: "I just want to make things all the time so this was a perfect opportunity for me to sell more things."

Vasiliki Skepatari also graduated from Huddersfield last year.

The tapestry weaver has contributed many of her braided and knotted designs to the Ginger collection. Vasiliki said: "This is the first time I have done something for the market. It is an excellent opportunity to see what we can do."

But for Rebecca - whose flame-coloured hair inspired husband Jason to come up with the name Ginger - it is all a dream come true.

"It is very exciting and so important to me," she said. "I love pretty things and this gives me a sense of fulfilment. It is also important to me that my girls see I'm doing something creative, and I'm not just a mum."

For further details about Ginger contact [e-mail].

CAPTION(S):

* HOME WORK: Rebecca with her children and University graduates (from left) Vasiliki Skapetari, Charlene Johnson, Hannah Weber and Faye Dearnley - and some of her craft products (JH220709Brebecca-01) CLOSE FAMILY: Rebecca Kilner with children Damson (right) and Tabitha (JH220709Brebecca- BUSINESS MUM: Rebecca Kilner with some of her craft products (JH220709Brebecca-02)