A mother-of-two with an entrepreneurial streak has realised a dream with the opening of a pottery painting and craft studio.

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)

Amanda Smith, who lives in Stevenage, opened Cre-Art-Ivity on Stotfold’s Regent Street at the beginning of year – 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.

“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 children aged two to five.

“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 Monday, February 22, and a Mother’s Day event from 10.30am to 12.30am on Sunday, 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