Business mum-of-five launches craft market

Jeanette Stanley is the creator of ‘The Crafty Mums Market’, which features 30 stalls selling locally made art, furniture, food and gifts - all from artisans across Sussex.

“I’m passionate about supporting small businesses,” said Jeanette, “so I thought the best thing to do is get a load of us together and provide a place where we can all sell our product once a month.”

Also the owner of ‘Oliver and Kate’, a Fairtrade shop in Cobblestone Walk, Jeanette hopes that the new market will help attract more Sussex residents and tourists to the town centre.

“What we’re finding now is craft stalls are so expensive to set up and people just can’t afford it, so ‘The Crafty Mums Market’ is much more affordable. It was such a success on Saturday sellers ended up fighting for stalls.”

Juggling motherhood and pursuing her career, Jeanette organised the market from scratch and hosted it at The Steyning Centre, which also featured homemade food and drinks.

“It’s in my nature to do this. My daughter helps me at the shop on Saturdays and my partner helps out in the kitchen at the market - it’s something I’m passionate about. I just can’t sit still.”

A former employee of the Job Centre, Jeanette was a ‘back to work advisor’ and helped a lot of mum’s realise their careers.

“I eventually took my own advice and resigned to start my own business.”

The next market is Saturday, June 29. Visit ‘The Crafty Mums Market’ on Facebook for more details.