I TEACH, I INSPIRE & YOU CREATE 
Opening Hours
Monday 10am-4pm Tuesday 10am-4pm Wednesday 10am-6.30pm
Thursday 10am-4pm Friday 10am-4pm
Saturdays 10am to 1pm

Hand Sanitizer is available at the door.
 

How it all began..........Crafty Betty started out when I was in my 30's after turning my garden shed into a sewing room. I was at the time working in the Art & Design department at a Secondary School a few years after completing my 2:1 Degree in Education at Lincoln. After deciding to leave the education system and try teaching privately, the business soon grew and I started selling handcrafted items too. I opened my first shop which was a tiny little premises in The Buttermarket Newark which I soon outgrew. I moved into a former office suite in The Arcade where I had the space to teach classes and rent out two of the rooms to other Crafters. 7 years since it all began you can now find Crafty Betty opposite Newark Library in London Road Car Park in my own Sewing Studio, Shop & Tearoom.

I am very proud of everything I have achieved - it doesn't feel like a job when you do something you love!

Michelle Baker
BA (Hons) Education & Arts Award Adviser
 

Small Business of the Year Finalist 2019 and 2020

Darcie Baker-Brogan
'Little Miss Crafty Betty'

Darcie is my daughter and alongside studying for her A'Levels she works part time at Crafty Betty, helping out in the classes and serving in the shop. Darcie is an avid seamstress and has launched her own hair accessory brand 'Sew Darcie'
You can find her beautiful headbands and scrunchies in the shop or on her Instagram and Facebook accounts.

Darcie also makes her own clothes or adapts vintage find from local shops.
 

Meet The Team

Michelle Baker
Owner of Crafty Betty

Betty was my Grandmother who first inspired me to sew. She had an old fashioned sewing machine that I used to love using and would never tire of me wanting to make things with her. She made her own clothes and was a brilliant knitter too. When she died I inherited her sewing box and her button tin, which I still use in the studio today:-)  It seemed quite apt to name the business after her don't you think?
 

Val Allen
'Grannie Val'

Val is my Mum and She can often be found at the studio cutting out fabric, preparing orders for me to sew. Val is an excellent cook and makes delicious cakes that the Crochet Knit & Natter LOVE! In fact the neighbouring shops have started placing their orders! 

Val is now retired and in her spare time makes items for Crafty Betty to sell in the shop under the brand name 'Grannie Val'