KittyKentHandmade

Hello, I’m Jenni, the maker behind Kitty Kent, and I have an unhealthy obsession with beautiful fabrics, colourful yarns and making unique things!

I’m pretty sure I inherited my love of crafts from my Mum. As a little girl I remember her knitting, sewing all our clothes, tatting, embroidering and making macramé plant holders and wall hangings which were ‘all the rage’ in the 70s! I used to watch her and was particularly fascinated by her knitting and sewing. She taught me how to knit and showed me how to use her sewing machine, letting me use it whenever I liked.

As a young teenager, I started making my own clothes and was a regular at our local fabric shop. I guess that’s where my fabric obsession started, although I didn’t realise it then and had no idea where it would lead. I also loved to knit and crochet, as did my sister, and I always had a project on my needles or hook.

I loved textile classes at school, but my career path took a very different turn. I was good at science and went on to study Civil Engineering at university, which led to a 26-year career in the railway industry, eventually becoming a Project Manager.

In 2005, I moved to Paignton in Devon from Essex with my now husband, Paul. We were both working in London so lodging there in the week and travelling back to Devon at the weekend so time was limited and other things took priority. One Christmas, Paul bought me a new sewing machine which was random and totally unprompted. Little did I know that it would relight my creative fire.

I started making clothes again and whilst I had the skills to do this, I struggled to make things that actually fitted me properly, so I thought I’d try something else and made my first lined tote bag from a free pattern I found on the internet. I showed a few people and the response was so positive. That feeling was amazing, and I was hooked. I carried on making bags for presents, trying new and slightly more complicated designs, and eventually found the courage to offer my bags for sale to friends and colleagues. I made my first sale in 2017.

I used to really love my job, but things changed. Everything became very corporate and the team spirit and sense of belonging disappeared. I was working long hours and with the weekly travel, it all became too much and I felt totally unfulfilled. I quit my job and came down to live in Devon full-time and have never looked back.

Of course, I now had time on my hands so the natural thing for me to do was create and that was how my Etsy shop was born. I called myself Kitty Kent as Kent is my maiden name and Kitty because of my love of cats – we have six that keep us on our toes! When I was working, I always had a black bag with a plain lining. Whilst practical, it was boring which sparked the idea for making unique and unusual bags and purses, sometimes with a plain exterior as not everyone wants to stand out, but with a surprise lining inside.

I’m obsessed with fabric and even though my shelves are bursting with it, I can’t stop buying more. I love anything animal-related, floral, colourful and unusual, which you’ll see reflected in my work. I still keep up with the knitting and crochet, and you’ll find a range of hats in my shop too.

I’m a teeny tiny handmade business which I’m hoping to grow as much as I can, bearing in mind it’s only me. Everything I make is made thoughtfully, slowly and with care and you won’t find anything exactly the same anywhere else. I can also make to order, so please do get in touch if you would like something made especially for you. Making a sale brings me so much joy which is one of my core values: Joy for me in the making, and joy for you as a customer.

I love what I do, and I hope you do too. Thanks for stopping by💕