Along with the challenges of Lockdown, there could perhaps be the time to explore ones interests and new beginnings, support small businesses, experiment, and step outside our comfort zones.
Lockdown has brought its fair share of hurdles, we're all facing our own difficulties whether it be income, working from home, looking after children, loneliness, anxiety, boredom or simply feeling both frustrated and exhausted by the situation.
But a silver lining of some time with ourselves or families is that we're able to experiment with new things, engage with activities to look after our mental and physical well-being. It could be a walk, getting some fresh air and appreciating nature. Perhaps you joined in on the viral banana bread making. Having a relaxing bath, watching a new series, trying out some yoga, starting to learn a language, reading a book or completing a puzzle. Of course, this is a demanding time for all of us, our emotions and state of mind will change and go through highs and lows. Be kind to yourself regarding your own productivity and goals you set yourself. Sometimes it's helpful to let go of personal standards and just try things out, no goals just exploration, what's useful for you rather than pressurising yourself to always be doing. Time off for relaxation or to simply do nothing is beneficial to. Although there's no pressure, simply getting through each day is worth praise alone at this time, and creating and starting something new isn't a necessity, it can be inspiring to hear from individuals that have.
IN CONVERSATION WITH SHELBY CARLING:
Shelby Carling, 24, from London, has created her own Woodwork business during Lockdown. She graduated from drama school with a BA Hons in Acting in 2019, as an actor with multiple part time jobs, when Coronavirus hit in March 2020 she had to consider other sources of income.
'Acting is a job where you often do other work to help pay the bills when you aren’t acting!' she says. 'It was in the first lockdown back in March that I decided I wanted to set up my own business – something that could be a creative outlet aside from acting and something I could pour my heart into whilst there wasn’t much else we could do! That’s when Shelby’s Workshop was born.'
'I had no thoughts about starting a business before Covid, purely through lack of time! I was working a few different jobs and suddenly, (like everyone else) I was stopped dead in my tracks with nothing to do in lockdown. I started to get commissions in purely through word of mouth and then I launched my business on Instagram, I was worried about being able to fulfil requests or maybe no one would be interested at all! Fortunately, I had lots of amazing support and feedback', she smiles. 'It was particularly exciting having orders flood in for Christmas, I actually had to cap my intake as I was getting close to max capacity and I wanted to make sure I could get it all completed on time!'
'I have always loved woodwork and creating things. I had lots of Ideas about what I wanted to make, so I decided to run with it, bought the tools I needed and got to work! I make custom Storage Crates, Fairy doors, Coaster, Signs and much more – all made from Reclaimed and Repurposed wood as I am a bit of an eco-warrior and base my business around these practises as well. I have so many other ideas of more items to make and I am also very open to fitting any brief that a customer throws at me!' she shares. 'I love speaking to customers about a brief, allowing them to have their input and working with them to make something bespoke and special'.
'I have a new-found respect for small businesses', she admits. 'It’s such a hard time at the moment and now I truly understand the joy and gratitude a small business can feel when someone decides to shop with them', she exclaims. 'I have 100% changed my shopping habits in the last year, Notonthehighstreet.com and Etsy have always been firm favourites of mine but I have purchased from them even more and even explored Instagram and ordered from small business on there too!', she declares.
'I have learnt a lot of skills when it comes to woodworking, I had a lot of trial and error moments but I love learning more and more as well as refining my techniques!', she claims. 'One day I’d like to be able to make my own furniture and larger items', she shares.
'It's cathartic for me. I remind myself constantly that although it is a business, it was born primarily out of passion and enjoyment and that needs to reflect in my work. I love getting caught up in the enjoyment of physically ‘making’ something and then showing it to someone with ‘Look what I made!’, she beams.
'My Instagram is
@shelbysworkshop (
https://www.instagram.com/shelbysworkshop/) where you can see some of my creations and information about ordering your custom items! I would also love any support via social media, simply a follow, like, share or comment means the world to me!'
-My Fairy doors range from £12-£18
-My crates range from £30-£45
'But all of my items are bespoke and personalised so prices do vary.'
'I think it’s an extremely strange and hard time for everyone at the moment but we just have to push and get through it', she encourages. 'I urge everyone do what you can to look after yourself, whether that’s some self-care and a film on the sofa or planning for the future, just do what your mind and body needs to in order to feel okay. Sending lots of love to everyone.'
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