Meet Philippa Coulson, the small business owner of “The Crafty Lady” business based in Adelaide, SA.
Meet Philippa Coulson, the small business owner of “The Crafty Lady” business based in Adelaide, SA. Through her business, Philippa offers in-person art and craft workshops across the greater Adelaide region. From Felting to crochet, embroidery to lace making there is something for everyone. Moreover, she also provides “private crafternoons” which allow people to learn art in small group settings. To add to this, she also hosts art parties for art lovers to come together to enjoy their creativity as a group. Furthermore, Philippa also offers teaching art during school visits or at corporate events.
“Leigh Atkin, my business coach from Many Rivers helped me write a formal business plan and we are working on a cashflow as well. I am grateful to Leigh as he has been helpful in making me understand the business side of things and tracking the money side of things. He has directed my focus in the right direction so that I can not only maximise profits but also effectively utilise my time and energy for my art and craft workshops” .
Read more about Philippa’s business journey so far:
Philippa’s Business
I am passionate about creating and delivering a large range of inclusive art and craft workshops. As a fibre artist, I work with various materials and teach different techniques and I am excited about passing on knowledge and skills about everything from crochet to lace making, beading to felting.
I have been running art workshops and parties since March 2023. In these workshops, we explore activities like felting, sewing and other textile arts. Participants can come in knowing nothing about the craft and leave having created something beautiful like a felted bag, needle painting all while connecting together. For parties, I can come to your home for occasions like hens’ parties, birthdays and crafternoons.
Moreover, I also visit schools and collaborate with NDIS participants creating special adaptive programs so everyone has a chance to be an artist. I have a client for whom I provide art therapy, crafting along with relaxing conversations. Additionally, I attend festivals to host my workshops. Recently, I conducted a mini workshop on making felted beads at Fibre Fest which was a great opportunity as well.
What were you doing before you made contact with Many Rivers?
I’ve been a stay-at-home mom for many years, but I’ve been around art since birth because my mom is an artist. As a teen I became more serious about the arts, and I’ve been involved in art for 20 years now. I used to teach community classes to help women improve their sewing skills. The goal was to teach them how to create simple patterns, mend or alter clothes and school uniforms to earn extra money. I love teaching and seeing my students’ creativity blossom. I also enjoy learning traditional crafts like lace making and sewing and passing on the knowledge of lost crafts on.
Working with Many Rivers
I actually saw a pop-up advertisement on my Facebook newsfeed, and I booked a session with the Many Rivers team the same day.
“Leigh Atkin, my business coach from Many Rivers helped me write a formal business plan and we are working on a cashflow as well. I am grateful to Leigh as he has been helpful in making me understand the business side of things and tracking the money side of things. He has directed my focus in the right direction so that I can not only maximise profits but also effectively utilise my time and energy for my art and craft workshops” .
For me the most assistance from Many Rivers was the help with the business plan and the cashflow training.
Did you get a loan from MR? How did you use the loan?
No, I didn’t get a loan from Many Rivers.
Do you have any current employees? If so, how many employees? Are they full-time or part-time?
It’s just me and sometimes some of my family members come to help me during some big events. I am working almost 6 hours a day on the business. I still have three young children to manage along with the business.
Biggest Challenge
The biggest challenge has been spreading the word and marketing effectively without a big advertising budget. I’ve had to do a lot of research to figure out the best approach. I’ve found that one of the most effective ways is to participate in major festivals where I can run my art workshops and reach a larger audience. I want people to meet me in person and experience felting art firsthand. Seeing and touching the art pieces really gets people excited. Instead of spending money on traditional ads, I prefer investing in getting a stall at these festivals. People love to interact with things, especially when they’re made from fibre like my art. When they see my work up close, they often end up booking sessions for their kids’ birthday parties or for school workshops.
Biggest Success
I’d say the biggest success to date has been the Fibre Feast. It’s an annual event, and now I plan to do it every year. I’m also exploring art and craft fairs. These festivals have been great for networking with other business owners. Some of them have reached out to me afterward, and I’ve even connected with tourism folks who think it’s a great idea to offer art workshops to tourists as part of their retreat experience.
When it comes to art therapy, there’s a lot of potential. Many people with high-stress jobs suffer from PTSD, and these workshops can help them relax. Fibre art is very sensory, which can help regulate the body’s nervous system and manage stress. It’s also a fantastic way to connect with others. I love seeing people come together, and I really enjoy teaching art.
Biggest Change
Running my own business has given me more flexibility compared to a regular 9 to 5 job, especially while taking care of my three young kids. It lets me schedule or cancel events based on my family’s needs and routines. Since I work from home, it’s easier to balance work and family time. I’m grateful for my family’s support, and even my extended family is closely involved to help with my business.
Future Goals
Future GoalsIn the long run, I’d really like to have my own workshop studio. There, I could hold regular classes and workshops, and anyone could come in and try their hand at crafts and art. Right now, I rent workshop spaces for a few hours at a time. I also have plans to open a café next to my studio. That would be my ultimate dream.
Thank you, Philippa, for sharing your business journey with us. We wish you the best of luck with your future endeavours and business success.
If you would like to stay updated with Philippa and her small business, follow “That Crafty Lady” through the following links:
Website: www.thatcraftylady.com.au
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100088333522201
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