Bear Necessities For Children’s Parties
Date of Article
Dec 07 2011

Keep informed

Sign up to our newsletter to receive further information and news tailored to you.

Sign up now

After combining three tasks of working, running a home and offering a children’s parties service, mum Emma Coffield decided to bite the bullet and set up her own full-time business and open her own shop.

“It maybe a bit late starting but I wanted to give it a chance and the first couple of weeks have been very encouraging, particularly with parties in the run-up to Christmas,’’ she said.

A former Montessori teacher and family support worker who moved to Holt, near Trowbridge, Wiltshire with her husband and their 19-year-old son and 12-year-old daughter about three years ago, Emma began reaping success after organising parties for her own children. These included ‘create a bear’ parties which gave her the idea of setting up her own Crafty Creations business two years ago. It provides parties for children of three years and over.

“I was running parties at weekends and during school holidays and as the feed back was really positive it gave me the incentive to develop Crafty Creations further, providing an interactive retail experience and a party venue.

“I suppose one of the main differences between myself and Build a Bear, for example, is that children stuff and fluff their bears by hand, rather than a machine. They enjoy making their own teddy bear, completing a birth certificate, decorating t-shirts and other craft activities and party games.

Emma, 41, who gave up her job as a receptionist at Holt VC School three weeks ago, discovered her new premises in St George’s Place off Silver Street, Trowbridge and contacted property agent Carter Jonas in Bath who ensured she moved in within 14 days. Emma says: “Although it’s a little tucked away, it’s a lovely location which once found is never forgotten.”

Carter Jonas commercial property partner Colin Scragg described St George’s Place as an ideal location for a creative business, with its compact shops having the right sort of feel for that type of business.

“Having the shop allows me to use the space as a party venue as well as being able to continue to provide parties at venues chosen by customers, said Emma.

Children and adults can visit the shop and make a bear, they can also purchase create a bear kits to take away. Each kit provides everything needed to make a new bear or a choice of animals and comes in a gift bag. Kits can suit all budgets, starting at £6.25 and make ideal gifts for Christmas and birthdays.

Emma says she will also be selling a variety of gifts suitable for children and adults and these are due to arrive soon.