Towards the end of 1993 when the yarns and baby clothes store at which I was Deputy Manageress closed, with the rest of the chain, I was made redundant, and consequently unemployed. After a few months the premises at 136 Maidstone Road, Rainham Kent ME8 0DS became available for purchase and on August 1st 1994 in the middle of a heatwave Wool ‘n’ Craft was born. At first business was poor, the middle of a heat wave not being the best time to open what was then mainly a knitting and crochet shop. A survey of our first customers showed that there was a requirement for crochet and craft tuition in our area. On leaving school I attended Rochester Art College and attained Advanced City & Guilds in Embroidery, which included many craft topics. In October 1994 I assembled fourteen ladies for their first crochet lesson. For six weeks they struggled with basic stitches making small squares and garments, and when the course was supposed to end, most of the ladies refused to stop attending, and the first Wool ‘n’ Craft craft club came into being and some of that original group still attend weekly. I now have groups running every day and stock much more in the way of craft supplies than just yarns. Over the years card making has become more popular, including stitching projects as an integral part of the card. The ladies who attend, have a card “Auction Evening” each December with the proceeds going to a local charity Other activities include paper crafts, cross stich, decoupage and much more. I hope you find something of interest on this site, and please feel free to ring for more information about any craft products. If it is not listed it doesn’t mean that I haven’t got it as our stock far exceeds our ability to showcase it on this site at this time.
Mary Tappenden