A retired detective and craft lover is using her creative skills to help others unwind and unleash their artistic talent.

Forward-thinking Sue O' Connell has opened Sandbach Craftworks in Sandbach Enterprise Centre, Bradwall Road/Wesley Avenue, offering a variety of workshops.

The talented craft lover has showcased her impressive skills with magazines and firms but now she's launched her own business to help others.

Sandbach Craftworks is in Sandbach Enterprise Centre. (Photo: Sue O'Connell)

Sue's grandmother knitted and crocheted and Sue herself excelled in art at school but followed a different career path.

"I've always loved art and it's something I have done to relax and unwind. I love anything creative but my greatest love is passing on my passion to others," said Sue.

"You can get lost in crafting. It's so good to unwind and relax. I get inspiration from all sorts of things when I am out and about."

Sue, who opened the business just before Christmas, took photos of street grids and architectural features in Rome to to inspire future designs of stencils following a summer holiday there.

An artist's playground - Sandbach Craftworks also stocks a variety of things for the craft lover. (Photo: Sue O'Connell)t

"I'm always looking for inspiration and ideas," says Sue who designed and made a wonderful birthday card for her late mum.

"It's part of my memory box now," says Sue, who runs classes in a variety of subjects from felting to scrapbooking, card making and jewellery making.

And Sue, who once worked as a detective in Greater Manchester, says crafting is a great asset for helping to improve well-being. 

She said: "The essence of arts and crafts is that it can contribute to personal development and health as well as to promote people's creativity.

Plenty of space for those taking part in the workshops. (Photo: Sue O'Connell)

"Our aim is to make our workshops enjoyable, sitting with like-minded people to create in different media using a variety of techniques."

Sue has set up her own website here where she lists what's available as well as a Facebook page here. She also be contacted on 07766 489881 for details about workshops.

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