Story by Saleema Imam
Ben Masters grew up in a ‘crafty’ household and, taught by her grandmother, has as she told me “been making things for as long as I can remember.”
Ben arrived in Burngreave 17 years ago and Crafty Things was born in 1999 when she gave up social work to spend all her time at home creating cushions, purses, jewellery, suncatchers, bags – you name it she’s done it. As her website (http://craftythings.net/) shows Ben works in many media: “I have even dreamt patchwork designs,” she says. Particular inspiration comes from Celtic, Islamic and Native American influences.
She collects materials wherever she finds them: “You get such satisfaction from seeing something transformed”. However the bulk of her patchwork fabrics now come from a friend in the US where material is so much cheaper – in exchange she sends Yorkshire teabags and other home comforts. Though crafting in winter can at times be lonely, summers are spent outside visiting all the local community and music festivals and markets with her colourful wares.
Asked about the future Ben replied: “the family expect to be moving to Spain this year where hand-produced articles are still valued more greatly”. She’s learning the language and hopes to grow her own food as well as continue with Crafty Things.