Meet Joanne at Wool and Buttons ...

You may remember me doing a fabulous product shoot a few weeks ago for Wool & Buttons, well I thought that Joanne had such a lovely little business I'd share it with you all and did a little informal interview with her to find out more about Joanne and her business. Here's what she had to say ..

Tell us a bit about yourself and your company:

From a very early age I have loved quality fabrics, yarns and buttons in the most beautiful colours, designs, natural fibres, textures and patterns. Also, I have always dreamed of owning my own wool and buttons shop. A passion that came from my dear Mum, who taught me to sew, knit, bake, cook and of course shop – all those girly pastimes which I have taken so much pleasure from and class as my ‘me-time’. Growing up, the ‘me-time’ somewhat went out of the window and it’s not until my children have now grown up themselves and I have retired from my career in financial services that I have taken up my passion once more – and what a delight!

Wool & Buttons opened in May this year. An on-line shop with simple values – superior customer service, a passion for luxury yarn whilst being mindful of our environment.  It’s still early days - we are gradually building up a loyal customer base who often tell us that our service is second to none.  It’s great also to get out and about, so we have been attending quite a few craft shows to spread the Wool & Buttons word and having lots of wooly natterings.

I would eventually love to own a ‘bricks and mortar’ shop in a relaxed café style environment.  This is my next dream that I hope to fulfill!

What is your favourite thing about your job?

Inspiring new knitters to work with and feel luxury yarns and divine handmade buttons and then deciding what to make with them. I love yarn!

Where do you get your inspiration?

I’d say from the yarn itself or from seeing a beautiful button and then deciding what to do with it.  The patterns at the moment are so beautiful and on trend that there is no shortage of inspiration to take ‘time out to sit and knit’.

Tell us how a typical day would go for you

My first job is fulfilling customer orders. I wrap each parcel with loving care and then add a special ‘sew-in’ fabric label so that my customer can add this to their finished item.  I then research new pattern ideas, new yarns, buttons, patterns and try to get out and about to listen to what knitters really want.  My website needs constant updating and I like to keep in touch with my followers on Facebook and Twitter.  

I didn’t realise how busy I would be and how many different roles I would have to play. I love it!

If you could make an item for a famous couple’s wedding, who would it be and what would you make?

Gosh this is a tough one! Probably Prince William and Kate Middleton.  I have knitted Arum Lily corsages before which are beautiful, so I would make a brides hand held flower display from these. Elegant, fresh and very stylish – a keepsake too!

What is your favourite button and or favourite type of wool? Do you have favourite colour schemes?

My favourite buttons of all time are those designed by Laura Walker. They are stunning, handmade and very special.  I especially love her ‘Darcy’ tea buttons. 

My favourite yarn, at the moment (as it changes as I see new ones) is the Italian Adriafil carezza yarn. It’s so fluffy and so soft and makes up fabulous accessory items such as a headbands or mittens.

Colour schemes for me need to be quite muted, natural and rich.  The British Undyed Sheeps wool is quite superb.

If you could teach anyone to knit or crochet – who would you choose and why?

Haha! You are going to think I’m crazy! I am a very keen rugby league supporter and have followed Leeds Rhinos since I was a teenager. I think it would be great fun to teach the team to knit a Rhino’s scarf – for me anyhow!

Which is the most popular kit that you sell?

Our super chunky scarf, hat and glove sets are really really popular and I was delighted that Mollie Makes magazine picked up on them too – we featured in issue 6 woohoo!

They are super gift kits which include big 100% merino wool, bamboo needles and the patterns in lovely gift bags – great for presents.

Do you get unusual requests?

I’ve not had any as yet – but I’m sure there is time!

What are your turnaround times for orders?

The majority of orders ordered by 4.30pm are packed and dispatched the same day so that customers can receive their lovely parcels the next day. We try to offer a super-fast delivery service.

What is the best way for us to contact you?

By email joanne@woolandbuttons.co.uk , through the ‘contact us’ on our website www.woolandbuttons.co.uk or just give us a call on 01757 269120.

A big thank you to Joanne for taking time out to answer our questions!  And I just love the answer she gave for who she'd like to teach to knit - I am a massive Leeds Rhino fan myself and have a season ticket for the South Stand so I can completely see where she's coming from on this - maybe we should set a challenge for them next season and raise some money for charity?

If you'd like to know more about my commercial work then please do get in touch, we have special rates for small and start up businesses so if you need any product shots or head shots for your website or promotional literature then please ask, I'm sure we can help!

Nicky x

To get in touch with me click here.