A multi-tasking mum with over a decade of retail experience has been selected by Newton Aycliffe-based Crafter’s Companion to head up its flagship store in the town.
Amy Rodger, 28, from Chester-Le-Street joins the leading international craft company as store manager with a strong merchandising background, having climbed the retail ladder from Saturday girl to management whilst raising her son, Ellis.
In charge of overseeing the day-to-day running of the store and staff training, Amy will also spearhead the store’s popular monthly craft classes and demonstrations – as well as arranging and managing the smooth running of regular coach trips and craft group visits to its store on Aycliffe Business Park.
Amy will also be tasked with building awareness of the Crafter’s Companion brand and crafting among the local community and further afield.
“I’m so happy to be joining the team,” said Amy. “The opportunity to be part of an internationally successful and rapidly growing business, which still has its roots firmly placed in the North East, is very exciting.”
Amy began her professional life in high street retail after completing her A-Levels. After becoming a mother she remained focussed on her career and went from strength to strength – she gained her level 1, 2 and 3 retail NVQs and began delivering customer service training to staff.
On making the shift to crafting retail Amy said: “Other than crafting with my son, the industry was new to me, but since I’ve joined the business I’ve loved learning about different crafts, the amazing products available and the beautiful things you can create yourself. I’m now making cards for family occasions and find it really relaxes me after a busy day juggling work and a very excitable 10-year-old!
“Having recently discovered the joys of crafting myself, I’m particularly looking forward to my role in raising awareness of activities such as paper crafting, adult colouring, stamping and needlecraft to the region’s novice crafters.”
Crafter’s Companion is a global craft supplies company which sells its products globally online, on TV shopping channels, via independent retailers and in its own UK retail stores in Newton Aycliffe and Chesterfield.
The Newton Aycliffe store holds regular workshops and charity events to support the local community.
For a full programme of events visit www.crafterscompanion.co.uk/aycliffe-store.