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Sharon Boston - The Crafty Snowman Ohakune |
Where do you live?
Raetihi
How long have you lived here?
8 years. I was lured to Raetihi from Hawkes Bay 8 years ago via an internet dating site. I met and married my internet sweetheart and my adult kids think I am loco coz I have moved to an area where there is no McDonalds hamburger restaurant.
What’s your favourite feature of the area you live in?
My favourite feature about the area is definitely the fact that it snows in winter. I just love walking round the country roads early morning in my gummies in the snow and being all snug in my coat, beanie and gloves. If it's going to be cold in winter it may as well be made an enjoyable experience by the magic of falling snowflakes.
What’s the best thing about being local?
They say you have to live here 30 years to be considered local and I think marrying a local gives you a headstart. Certainly the local support for what I have been trying to achieve in the last three and a half years at The Crafty Snowman has been great. The best and the worst thing about being local is that everybody knows me and I still don't know them - can be embarrassing sometimes.
What’s your claim to fame? What best describes what you do?
I would like to think it is the establishment of my retail shop The Crafty Snowman which came into being in March 2007. The inspiration to go into business for myself arose out of a passion for crochet, witnessing a resurgence in the interest of crochet and knitting by a generation who missed out on learning the art, a desire to be part of young people’s lives and seeing a need for a product and service missing in the community.
Highlights/successes?
Success is in being able to motivate and teach someone to crochet - especially a left hander. Now that is a challenge for me as a right handed person. The joy experienced by myself and a beginner student who goes on to design his/her own work and create a sideline industry of their own is indescribable. The young lady from Wales last ski season did just that and she was left handed.
What made it possible?
The Crafty Snowman is made possible by family, friends and local support for the product and service. The most difficult time is in the summer when the skiers, snowboarders and seasonal workers go back home and business slows but with all the plans for summer in the area being put in place I'm looking forward to a much busier summer season.
Your future plans?
Future plans for The Crafty Snowman are for it to continue. An inner strength, perseverance and patience are needed in the lean summer months when visitors to the area are fewer and I venture into choosing the new colour range and patterns for the next season and move into production mode, crocheting and knitting garments for babies, children and adults with the hope they will like my choices and work.
Click here to read more about The Crafty Snowman and see what’s in store
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