About me

Back Then, Little Old Me……
So what was I going to do now…?
It had been my childhood dream, I had been successful in getting a place, but I was told by the Tutor ‘you’ll change completely, your old friends won’t understand you anymore, oh and the financial side of this Foundation Course will cost you a small fortune in materials…..’

I was 16 years old, an ‘80’s girl, fresh out of school and a very naive 16 year old too…!! I hadn’t been prepared for any of this, a simple walk around didn’t reveal what I was being told, everyone looked completely different to me too, I lost my confidence, I wasn’t good enough, why was I here, what was I doing?

As I left Bournville Art College behind me, frightened, scared, uncertain of what I was going to do, my all-time dream was collapsing all around me. I got on the Bus that took me straight to Rover Group, Longbridge and cried my eyes out in my Dad’s Office.
The little girl in her bedroom colouring pictures in, making a rocking horse out of cardboard and green crepe paper, and that little girl who idolised her older cousin who did beautiful drawings and then sent them to me, wanted to go back in time, to go back to her bedroom and not come out.

What did the future hold for me now……..?
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And Now……All Grown Up
That was my younger self but moving on 30 plus years, I am now back in love with the arts and crafts world. So much so, that in October 2019…. I, Jayne Taylor, set up my own business, Taylor’d Crafts with the encouragement of a friend.

I created a Facebook page back then, very basic, a picture of what I had made, the price, and a message to ‘buy it’. Not really the way a professional business should be showcasing her business.....

Then………….

Covid and Cancer
Those two very evil words. When everyone was dealing with the devastating news of Covid, I was also dealing with the news that I had got Breast Cancer. My world stopped, my plans on hold while I dealt with having to have a mastectomy, lymph node removal, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, losing all of my hair and targeted therapy to get the evil little devil cells out of my body. On top of home schooling our Son, happy days !!!

There were two ways I could go with this news, down into depression or, to stick two fingers up to Cancer. The latter was the only option, it wasn’t going to beat me. I had my Husband, Son, Parents and Friends to think of, and with the help of my artistic streak, I dived into painting and creating which kept me positive and busy.

I made a few items to sell in a local shop which opened up during Covid, it just wasn’t working unfortunately, and was actually costing me more money to rent the shelf than I was selling. But wanting to be the ‘people pleaser’ I didn’t want to let go of a hope and a dream. Yet another one….

I was encouraged to start teaching and doing workshops in the various arts and crafts that I loved. Everyone could see my passion, but also could see me lacking in confidence. There is no way I can teach, I kept saying to everyone !!!! I hadn’t got a clue where, or how to start a business up, how to market my business, where to market my business, the lingo was all new to me. This went on for many months, and then finally, I saw the light, I started to believe in myself and believe in other people too.

 All of a sudden a proper professional business was being formed right in front of my eyes. An excited nervousness was in my stomach, would people take me serious, would my family, my Husband. Everyone did. The support has blown me away, from everyone, I am truly grateful, this was definitely all meant to be. The next step……..

Finally, when I gave in; I came out of selling my wares in the local shop and listened to what was being repeatedly said to me for months and months and months. I started to set up Art and Craft Workshops for adults. I was so excited and nervous at the same time.
I visited other Business Owners and venues who were all female entrepreneurs and even tested out my Workshops on Friends first, so I could gain confidence in myself, my ability and my business.

Present Day
My business is all about teaching new arts and crafts to people of all ages in and around Bromsgrove, Worcestershire. When I meet new people at my Workshops, I immediately make them feel at ease by saying, ‘you don’t have to be creative, you don’t have to be artistic, art is never wrong’.
I am really proud of what I have achieved, and absolutely thrive on meeting new people and teaching them, seeing their faces when they have created or painted a piece of work. From zero confidence from attendees saying……

‘I can’t believe I’ve just done that…..’
‘I could stay all day, the time has gone so quick….’
‘This is so relaxing, I’ve totally switched off from everything….’
‘We’ll definitely be back for more workshops…..’
‘Your Workshops get me out of the house'

This has all been done through various face to face workshops in Bromsgrove, Droitwich, Merry Hill, Selly Oak, Halesowen, Cradley, Wythall, Shirley to name just a few, doing the following activities…..

Painted Wooden Ducks 
Folk It Painting
Mandala
Resin Flowers
Indian Block Printing
Tiny Wooden Houses
Metal Embossing
Paper Quilling
Decoupage Ducks
Book Folding 
Modern Brush Lettering
Mosaics
Wire Circle of Life Hanging Pendant
Botanical Casting
Glass Engraving
Door Mat Painting
Silk Painting

The list is growing monthly!!!

As I mentioned, I love Tea Shops and what they have to offer, a lot of these businesses are now offering crafting events along with an Afternoon Tea, or cake and a drink…….absolutely perfect way to combine both of my favourite past times!! So lots of Workshops have been set up with plenty of them being ‘Sold Out’ and having to put more repeat classes on for the same craft, they have been that popular. Painted Wooden Ducks especially…….’who knew’……..

My attendees have told me they have bought the Workshop for a friend as a gift, how fabulous is that, where they both come together to enjoy the event. Others have bought them for Mother’s Day gifts, birthdays, even a couple came for their wedding anniversary….. ahhhhh.

The Proof
I have had some lovely reviews and comments made to me as I am teaching, which although not expected, does make me feel very happy inside and gives me the drive to keep going. A lot of small businesses, comment that they do a ‘happy dance’ when customers buy from them or leave a review on their page, this is so very true and I have done many of these little dances! I cannot explain the pure delight when I receive a message to say ‘my friends and I want to come along to your workshop…..’ I am so excited that word is getting out there about my business…..yesssss!!!!

People who have had literally no confidence in themselves, and even no confidence getting themselves out of the house, have come to my Workshops every week. This is because I always make people feel welcome with a big bright smile because they have made me so happy that they have chosen my Workshop to come too and I always tell them this. I think this is so important to let my attendees know how important they are to me.

With the Folk Art that I teach, every week, my students show me what they have achieved at home, it totally blows me away, and they send me pictures of what they have created and to receive a comment like:-

‘I could never have done this without you Jayne, giving me the confidence to do it' - Alison

‘We were both nervous as we aren’t great at painting, but Jayne reassured us and gave us confidence to do it. She has loads of patience and is such a lovely lady’ – Steph

‘What a fabulous way to spend an afternoon with friends. I would absolutely recommend painting ducks to anyone, can’t wait for the newt event. Thanks Jayne – Tracey

‘Jayne is absolutely amazing and always explains everything in a way that the Group understands. She is a lovely lady and always goes that extra mile to ensure everyone enjoys the sessions ‘ – Jo

Local Charity Support
Proudly I am involved in a local ‘Gals Group’ at a Hospice for ladies with life limiting and terminal illnesses where I teach them various crafts every month. Wow, they totally blow me away, they are the most positive group of ladies I have ever met in my life. We laugh so much, the language is always fruity, we eat beautifully homemade cake (a theme here, cake !!) and they always go home with gorgeous handmade items that will be treasured, past their days. It is a complete privilege to be in the same room as them.

Another couple of charities I also support are local Breast Cancer charities. I always wanted to give something back to the ladies that helped me, especially with Covid being present, and not having the regular Breast Care services available to me. I put on various crafting activities when we were allowed to meet safely where they have painted, folded, glued, and had lots of fun as the couple of hours flew by. On the subject of giving back, I dabbled in making Mastectomy Cushions for the Breast Cancer Charities as well. A local lady advertised a 6 week Sewing Machine Workshop and she showed me how to sew on a sewing machine, and although the course went into more detail, which I have to admit, I wasn’t good at, my only passion was to learn how to do the Mastectomy Cushions, and I did it. A proud moment for me I have to admit as to this day, I still use my cushion that I was given.

The Future
Well, if I am to listen to everyone, the future is all about doing art and craft exhibitions, on line learning, subscription boxes, YouTube……..Nervous Stomach alert……again!!!!
Maybe, one day, eh  !!!!!

For now, I am really happy, in fact I am the happiest I have ever been in my career. I love what I do, it gets me up in the morning, it gives me a purpose, knowing that I am going to meet lovely people also that I am going to passionately create art and express and share that passion with others. I can also share the paint on my cardigan sleeves too, I mean, that’s what I do right, artists paint everywhere!!!
Happy Days…..!

My Mantra:
‘Art is never wrong’
‘Thankfully, I’m still here to annoy everyone…….!!!
‘You are better than you think you are’
‘You can do it…….You are doing it’