Carrie was a long-term unemployed mum of two young children when she registered with ABZWorks in February 2024.
Fast forward to today and Carrie is not only a published author with her own business, but also a full-time draughtsperson – absolutely smashing everyone’s expectations.
As a Gray’s School of Art graduate, Carrie clearly has impressive artistic talent and our Enterprising New Parents Course, delivered by Aberdeen City Council’s Creative Learning team, sparked both her interest and ambition.
Through the course Carrie wrote, illustrated, and printed her own children’s story book: “The Badger and the Bottle. Within a few months, this talented Aberdeen artist, mum, and businesswoman was selling her work on her online shop Mistletoe and Oak.
“I’ve gained confidence and faith in my own ability to work for what I want in life.”
Carrie progressed onto our Creative Enterprise course, which was also delivered by Creative Learning, and her keyworker referred her to Business Gateway where an advisor supported her to explore her entrepreneurial side and develop a business plan.
This put Carrie into a prime position to apply for the ABZWorks Seed Fund, which provides start-up funding to eligible Aberdeen residents. The funding helped Carrie to fast-track her business’ first few steps, and paid for equipment including a glass kiln, which would otherwise have taken considerable time to secure money for.
“I’ve found full time employment again, which I’m able to combine with self- employment making glass and prints, and I’m excited for the future! I’m in full time work which is paying my bills and still leaving me extra for art work!”
By summer 2025, Carrie’s confidence had grown so much that she secured temporary employment as a draughtsperson which she combined with running her own business. Realising that she could do it, and enjoy it, Carrie kept the momentum going and is now working full-time as a draughtspersonin the energy sector, while keeping Mistletoe and Oak running.
Carrie has all of her crafting equipment set-up at home to create her glass jewellery and ornaments, so her creative business will expand and grow in the coming months. Mistletoe and Oak sees Carrie offer a range of hand-crafted items made via glass fusing, lasering, jewellery making and printmaking. In preparation for Christmas she’s working on a line of stocking and snowflake stocking holders which will soon be available in her online shop.
“The support I received from ABZWorks was exactly what I needed. I would absolutely recommend ABZWorks to other people. They’ve given me the freedom to be around for my children whilst they are young, as well as providing them with a safe and secure home. I can’t thank them enough!”
Throughout her time with ABZWorks Carrie has shown great patience, perseverance and the dedication to better her and her children’s lives. She has learned new skills, worked on collective and creative projects, immersed herself into business planning, and done a great job with sharing her progress and journey on her social media.
Carrie, we are so proud of you and everything you have achieved. What a story!