A mother-of-two with an entrepreneurial streak realised her dream when she opened a pottery painting and craft studio.

The Comet: Amanda's eight-year-old daughter Holly enjoys a spot of pottery painting.Amanda's eight-year-old daughter Holly enjoys a spot of pottery painting. (Image: Archant)

Amanda Smith, who lives in Stevenage, opened Cre-Art-Ivity on Stotfold’s Regent Street at the beginning of January and people are already going potty over it.

Her Facebook page has more than 800 likes and plenty of five star reviews from happy customers.

Amanda said: “I have always been creative and it was my dream to do something involving different crafts with people. With a background in teaching, I thought I could use this skill in different ways.

“Cre-Art-Ivity was initially just about making unique handmade items, but this soon grew into a much bigger idea.

The Comet: Cre-Art-Ivity opened last month and has proved to be very popular.Cre-Art-Ivity opened last month and has proved to be very popular. (Image: Archant)

“With some fantastic support from my friends and amazing family, we found a property and Cre-Art-Ivity started to take shape.

“We opened on January 2 and the response from people has been phenomenal.

“We currently offer pottery painting, messy play, after-school crafts, birthday parties, ladies’ nights and other events. Soon we will be adding a range of craft workshops for adults and craft activities for two to five year olds.

“I am particularly interested in offering sessions to Mencap and similar organisations as I have a long background in teaching people with a range of learning disabilities.”

She added: “This is turning out to be a real family-run business, My mum helps with the glazing, my step-dad loads the kiln, and my daughters - who are six and eight - and my husband help with the running of the studio on Saturdays.”

Events coming soon include a ladies’ evening from 7.30pm to 9.30pm on February 22 and a Mother’s Day event from 10.30am to 12.30am on March 6. Advance booking is essential for both of these events.

During February half-term there will be small ‘Mini Make’ craft sessions available from 10am to 11am on the Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday at a cost of £3 per child. Cre-Art-Ivity is open from 10am to 5pm every day except Thursdays and Sundays, when the studio is closed.

For more information, or to book, call 01462 835 672, email cre-art-ivity@outlook.co.uk or visit www.cre-art-ivity.co.uk