Our first Staff Spotlight of 2026 has entered The Craft Room ❤️ This month we’ve caught up with Helen, who is a huge part of the warehouse, with helping in dispatch, training new staff, and helping with creative photography for marketing. Let’s find out that little but more about her Woolly journey ✨
How did you make your way to Wool Warehouse? Can you tell us a little more about this?
I was looking for a new job, and my mum (who is a keen knitter), suggested I look at a local company called Wool Warehouse. I had not heard of them before but knew I wanted a job where I could be on my feet most of the time (I’m a fidget, I didn’t want an office job). I got a job as a dispatch assistant, which suited me perfectly!
How long have you worked at Wool Warehouse, and can you tell us a little bit about your current role?
I’ve now been here 11 and a half years! I can’t believe it. I still help to dispatch orders in the warehouse, but I am also the creative photographer and take all the product images for the website and I also help to take creative marketing photos for social media and magazines.
What is your favourite part of your job?
The variety and the people. I have a great mixture of responsibilities, working in different areas of the building with different people, depending what day it is. I’ve made life-long friends working here. People that no longer work here are still a big part of my life outside of work. And I’m very grateful for that.
Do you craft? If so, what is your favourite craft?
I’m not a knitter or crocheter (which always surprises people!). I have been doing a weekly pottery class at the local college for about 16 years now, so I’ve got quite good at making things with clay!
Love your pottery, Helen! Can you tell us about some of your favourite pieces you’ve made?
Thanks! Yes, I’ve made so much over the years. I’m particularly proud of some of the sculptures of figures that I’ve made, one of which was in an exhibition at the college. I like using simple colours and forms with texture to add interest. I’m also pleased with a series of candle holders that I threw on the wheel, most of which were given away as gifts, but I have a one at home on the coffee table that is constantly in use.
What are your hobbies outside of work?
My main passion in life is gardening. I live and breath it. I daydream about it in the winter, making lists and plans for the year ahead, and when the weather is good, I’m out in my garden, digging, pottering and watching the birds and bees. I grow a few fruits and vegetables, but I mostly enjoy creating a beautiful flower garden for the wildlife (and me, of course!)
Your garden is beautiful, and it’s always evolving. What got you interested in gardening in the first place? Can you tell us some of your favourite plants?
I’ve always been a nature lover and grew up going on long walks and visiting beautiful places around the UK. My Granny was a very keen gardener, and I’ve learnt a lot from my mum and her garden over the years. When my husband and I bought our first house 15 years ago, having my own outdoor space got my creative juices flowing and I loved turning it into a space we could enjoy spending time in. Fast forward to now, a new house, a bigger garden and better plant knowledge, and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed transforming the space and filling it with my favourite plants. Speaking of which, some of my all-time favourites are foxgloves, ferns, Astrantia, hostas and ornamental grasses.
Tell us a little bit about your day to day work? What does your working week look like?
I have a week of two halves. Monday and Tuesday I’m in the warehouse picking and packing your orders, it’s a great atmosphere, sociable and active. I don’t work Wednesdays (you can probably find me in my garden 😉), and then on Thursdays and Fridays I can be found in the photography studio photographing new products and getting creative with the products that we sell.
What’s for lunch today?
Soup! I love cooking and have made a vegetable and lentil soup for the week. Perfect for this chilly weather.
Do you have a favourite memory or funny moment from work?
There are lots to choose from, but the one that springs to mind is when we had a roller disco at work. Andy and Holly, the owners, had purchased the adjoining warehouse. We knocked through the walls, and before we filled the space with more yarn, we got pizzas, made a playlist and had a great evening skating round under a disco ball!
Tell us a fun fact about you
I can juggle!
Helen can usually be found helping out with social media videos and modelling Yarnsmiths garments
Three things you would love to learn/master/execute
I’m currently trying to get better at tree identification, which is much harder in winter! So I’d like to continue to learn to identify the trees I come across when I’m out walking. I’d like to get better at throwing clay on the wheel in my pottery class. It’s not my strongest skill; I’m more of a hand-builder and sculptor. And finally, I’d like to master a few cocktails at home. I got a cocktail shaker for my birthday and would love to make some delicious drinks with it!
How do you normally spend your weekend?
If the weather is good, gardening in my own garden, visiting other gardens and going to the garden centre. If the weather is bad, reading, watching a good TV series, cooking, and rainy walks.
What are three things you can’t live without.
Plants, music and good food.
Thanks for taking time out of your day to chat with us Helen, it’s been fabulous! Toodalooo Crafters 🌈🧡🙂🤗