For Sandra Coote, the prospect of retirement presented itself earlier than expected and, while the fear of the unknown simmered, her decision to take a severance package granted her a sense of freedom to develop her craft business further.

Stepping into Sandra’s cosy log cabin with a view that overlooks the greenery of Cavan, it is no wonder her studio became an idyllic getaway from day-to-day life.

“When I was still working, I came out to the studio and forgot about time. Doing crafts here gave me a space where I could completely absorb myself and forget about everything else that was going on. It’s my therapy.”

An Post

For 25 years, Sandra worked with An Post, and her daily routine had become cemented. “I grew up in a small rural post office and started off doing deliveries in the local area, which ended up as a full-time job,” she explains.

“I got along really well with my work colleagues – that’s why the decision to leave was even harder – but the time came and the option of early redundancy was there. I had to make a decision as to whether I was ready, but I don’t think, in life, that there is ever a time when you are going to be 100% ready to do anything. You have to take the opportunity, do what you can and hope that it is going to work.”

Sandra accepted the severance package, which gave her the opportunity to devote her time to her first love: Crafts of Ireland.

“When I was working, I ran crafts evening classes, and those who attend the sessions have been so supportive. When we meet here on a Wednesday night, we are like a support group for each other. We can relax and enjoy a few hours of crafting.

“My love for crafts began when I was in national school. On a Friday afternoon, the books were dropped and we spent the evening doing crafts. My grandmother taught me how to sew with a machine when I was quite young, and crafts was one of those things that stuck with me.”

Sandra grew up on a farm in Longford, and when she made the move to Knocknaveigh in Co Cavan, her crafts and cows came along too.

“I had a small studio in Longford, so when I left, I moved my craft gear into the log cabin and I started teaching crochet classes locally. Then I wanted more space, so we built the studio onto the side of it,” explains Sandra.

“My husband Alan is a suckler farmer, and I have my own pedigree heifers. They came with me when I moved, and whenever I have an opportunity I would be working with them.”

Retirement

Finishing with An Post on 8 December last year, it took time for Sandra to adjust to this new chapter in her life.

“The first while it was strange. You feel a bit lost, because for so many years you had a routine where you got up and went to work, then suddenly you are in a situation where you have to decide what you are going to do.

“In a way, it was a bit easier for me because I went down to the farm every morning, so that was the first part of my day – and then I started to advertise my business.”

Sandra admits that fear crept onto the scene for financial reasons.

“You have to be scared, because you are going from a weekly income to having to create your own income. When you are working for yourself you have to build a business, and there is a lot of questioning, like: ‘Will I be able to succeed?’ and ‘Is there a market for it?’”

Since turning her hand to the business full-time, Sandra has proven that retirement doesn’t have to be a dead-end. “Retirement is a term that you use when you finish a job, it doesn’t mean that you suddenly stop working,” she says. “It gives you the opportunity to do the things that you have always dreamt of doing.”

Crafts of Ireland

Crafts of Ireland provides demonstrations and classes in wool spinning, butter making, traditional bread making, crochet and embroidery, and people travel from near and far to attend Sandra’s workshops.

“At the moment I do tea and craft workshops in the afternoon; they run on Saturday and Sunday. Other groups book in, so if anyone wanted a day out, I would accommodate them and their dietary needs.

“People would travel from Dublin, because we are only 45 minutes from Blanchardstown, and I have people who come to learn spinning from Northern Ireland. Our location is great, because we are very central – making it easier for people to travel.”

Much of what Sandra teaches is heritage – and history – based.

“The spinning wheel is part of our Irish heritage. I have collected a number of wheels and I do spinning classes as well needle felting, which is a more modern craft.

“I make socks on machines; the oldest one I have is pre-1900. They were used extensively during World War I and were classed as the machines that won the war, because the soldiers needed socks for trench foot.

“The way the toes are closed, there are no seams on them, so they are suitable for people with diabetes and other foot conditions.”

Social media has proved invaluable for Sandra, with further developments in the wings. “I have over 3,000 followers on Facebook, and that is constantly growing. At the minute, if someone wants to purchase an item they would message me on Facebook or send an email.

“On my to-do list is to put a shop on my website, and I have an extension plan. I have a massive collection of antique machines and spinning wheels, so I want a place to display them and extra space to do large workshops, and maybe a small café, so that people can drop in and visit my collection of crafting equipment.”

While Sandra proves that passion and ambition are key to achieving one’s desires, support makes her recipe for success a triple treat.

“There are always going to be days when you question why you ever did it. You will have setbacks and you will have things that won’t work out, but at the end of the day if you really believe in what you want to do, you just have to keep going.

“Alan and my son have been great support. It is always nice to talk to someone and ask them: ‘What do you think?’

“Alan’s answer is always fantastic: ‘You’ll have ups and downs.’” CL

For further information, visit www.craftsofireland.ie or follow on Facebook at www.facebook.com/craftsofireland.