Juey Jumbo Craft Tools

How did you get started in your business or craft?

I started this business with my dad, and it all began because I spotted a gap. I had so much thinner yarn, and honestly—I just didn’t have the patience to knit it all on its own. So, I started combining 10, 15, even 20 strands together to make one giant strand of jumbo yarn. But there was nothing out there to knit with that kind of size. I needed proper jumbo knitting needles and crochet hooks—big, beautiful tools that could handle it.

 

That’s where Dad came in. He was amazing with wood, so we started creating our own oversized tools. Before we knew it, we’d made something really special together.

 

Not long after, Dad became ill and was given two years. That’s when everything changed. He spent so much of that precious time sitting with me, showing me exactly how to make the tools myself. He’d say, ‘When I’m not here, you need to know how to do this. You can do this.’ And I’d sit there crying, saying, ‘But I don’t want to do it without you.’

 

Even in hospital, he’d tell the doctors and nurses all about the business we’d built together and how proud he was of what we’d achieved. That meant the world to me.

 

Now, it’s just me carrying it on, but every single tool I make has a bit of him in it. He’s there in every cut, every curve, and every finished piece. What started as a little idea and a lot of love between us is now my way of keeping him close—and sharing our craft with people who love making things by hand.

 

What is the story behind your business name?

Juey is my nickname when my niece was little, she just stared calling me Auntie Juey and it stuck. I asked dad what to call the company and he agreed with Juey, and we made jumbo craft tools.

 

What do you love most about what you do?

I love everything about what I do. I am lucky that I have been able to turn my hand to most things behind my company using my skills to bring our ethos to others. E.g.: I actually hand make every tool. I get to knit and crochet; I also love to design patterns for my followers to make. So all in all I love everything about my business and have processed and blended it to exactly what I want to share.

 

What’s one thing you wish more people knew about your business or industry?

 

• The sustainability aspect is open to the fact that you can use all your spare yarn to create a beautiful piece of art without having to spend a lot.

• To stretch themselves & go with the flow, everyone can create something that needs a little help, but I love to see people come alive when new interesting textures and colour pallets are produced combining yarn.

 

What has been the biggest challenge in your business journey and how did you overcome it?

Money you never have enough to get your name out there. Marketing is the most expensive thing you will ever pay. If no one knows about your product you obviously cannot be successful with it. I wouldn’t say I have overcome it, but the people at Sewing Street have been an amazing gift for me. Thank you, Sewing Street, for taking a chance on us.

 

Where do you find inspiration for your designs/products?

It just comes to me when walking my dog in the woods, everything becomes clearer when out in nature.

 

If you were a sewing/craft tool, what would you be and why?

I would be a yarn winder. I am always going at 10 to the dozen as we say in Yorkshire & whizzing about or if sat still my brain is whizzing.

 

What is your guilty crafting or business-related pleasure (like hoarding fabric or obsessing over packaging)?

That’s easy, hoarding yarn I can never get enough & I love a gadget (hence my bits & bobs department on my website).

 

Can you share a project or product you're particularly proud of and why?

My winding wand - that was a mad moment of thought I had. It is a combination of a nostepinne and yarn gauge. It has absolutely taken over sales of even the needles.

 

What is a typical day like for you and your business?

a: First thing is walking Nula our dog, it wakes me up for the day. I usually check emails & orders which I print off for packing, then I go into the workshop work on the products which include various things. It's hard to say what an average day is because it is always different. That's why I love it. I hate routine.

 

What is the weirdest or most unexpected thing you have ever made or sold?

Oh this is a funny one. I once made some stuffed heart bunting of hearts I had no stuffing, but I had brushed the dogs. They are Alaskan Malamutes sled dogs who shed an incredible undercoat that is so fluffy & soft. Anyway I had kept it hoping one day I may learn to spin it (not to wear I may add!) but maybe make a rug or something for the floor. Well I was doing a yarn show very last thing I had no stuffing so you can guess I used the fur to stuff it. At the show a lady wanted to buy the actual bunting which was only for decoration & to help sell the pattern. She begged me. I kept saying I'm sorry, no I need it. She wouldn’t give in. I told her about the stuffing but that made her want it more. So I had to sell it her. She loved it, I always wonder where it is now.

 

If you could collaborate with any famous crafter or designer (dead or alive) who would it be?

Vivien Westwood or Esme from Sewing Bee.

 

What is one piece of advice you would give to someone just starting out in your industry?

Oh just one? I will say listen to your gut. If it feels wrong it usually is, there are some people out there that want to take advantage of your gift. But all in all they are lovely people in the craft industry.