Yorkshire Biz August 04 - Clarey Matthews - Long Dog Craft

Want to feel glamorous with some handmade jewellery? 

In August, we are featuring many amazing female Yorkshire entrepreneurs by showcasing their business (#yorkshirebizaugust) and a bit of personal life on our shop blog. 

Make sure you enter our big Yorkshire Biz August Giveaway (#ybagiveaway) to win one of our prizes given out by these superwomen! No need to be in Yorkshire to enjoy our prizes. (read the bottom of this post to find out how to enter)

Today we are featuring Clarey Matthews and her business Long Dog Craft, which is aimed to create gorgeous handmade jewellery for the UK moms and women (and of the globe!). 

Business Name  

Clarey Matthews, Long Dog Craft

Business Related Questions

Which part of Yorkshire is your business based? 

My shop is online so I'm physically based in our spare room! At home in Queensbury, between Bradford and Halifax, West Yorkshire.

Tell us a little bit about your business - What makes your business a little different from others?

Long Dog Craft (LDC) is the brainchild of contemporary jewellery designer Clarey M, who in January 2020 decided to quit the corporate rat race and turn her back on the drudgery of the nine-to-five routine.

Long Dog Craft (LDC) takes the best of the past and brings it to life in the present by creating playful, original, and contemporary jewellery and gift designs that have an eco-centric heart and an accessible price point.

With craftsmanship, attention to detail, strong personality, and a decisive nod to sustainability, LDC reinvents and re-imagines many of the materials it uses, such as upholstery suede and vintage beads, to give them a second chance at taking centre stage and looking spectacular.

What’s your favourite ever product or service that you currently sell or have sold?

My favourite style of earrings are these statement U shaped beauties in rose gold and leopard faux leather - and that's me wearing my pair! 

How are you pivoting or adapting your business during this crazy Covid virus time?

Well, it's been tricky because people aren't venturing out a lot, and when they do it's often wearing a face covering and they don't mix well with long dangly earrings! So, in order to adapt, not only have I launched personalised kits for keeping safe outside, but I've also expanded the range of stud earrings to 12 styles in a variety of materials and colours.

Why did you choose this business to run or establish? 

Jewellery making is something I love, it’s creative and rewarding. I've made pieces for over 15 years do it took me until this year to make my passion into a business. I had been in fashion marketing for several years and one morning in January I woke up and thought "it's now or never". I really wanted to have a better work-life balance and to work for myself.

My Etsy shop longdogcraft.com began in April 2020 and since then I've had over 100 sales and I have even shipped to USA. Austria and Singapore.

What is your one product or service you would recommend for either a pregnant woman, newborn mom, or for babies, toddlers, or young children? 

I think get some brightly coloured studs to give your outfit a pop and stop tiny fingers from pulling longer earrings! Ouch! Remember to treat yourself often, as well as the children, self-care is very important.

Personally Related

Who or what inspires you? 

My business is named after my 2 rescue mini dachshunds, Pickle and Bandit, they inspire me every day.

What TV shows can make you binge on all day long? 

I love a crime show, true crime or fiction.... Poirot binge anybody??? Just me then!

What is your favourite ‘me-time’ or ‘self-care’ activity? 

It has to be a bubble bath and then doing my nails, that's my perfect me-time

 

What is one thing you love about living in Yorkshire? 

Yorkshire is the best place in the universe... how can I choose one thing?... Oh! The fish and chips here are better than anywhere else in the world! Crispy batter, no skin (yuck) and mushy peas!

 

Final Words

So there you go. I really hope you have enjoyed learning more about Clarey and her fabulous business, if you'd like to find out more, here are her contact details:

 

Contact details:

Website: http://longdogcraft.com

Email: longdogcraft@outlook.com  

Facebook: www.facebook.com/longdogcraft

Instagram: www.instagram.com/longdogcraft

 

 

Yorkshire Biz August Giveaway

What are Clarey’s gifts for the giveaway?

Clarey is giving out two free pairs of ear studs - a choice of design from the wild stud range. One gift for Facebook and one for Instagram entries. 

 

Enter the Giveaways

If you want to enter our August Giveaway (entries close on 30 Aug 2020), click on the links below to take part.

 

Please make sure you read the description to understand how to enter the giveaway contests as the two giveaways have different requirements. 

 

By reading this interview article, we hope it will encourage you to support more small local UK businesses. It will be even better if it inspires you to create your own business! There are many other Yorkshire Biz August businesses we have to introduce you. 

 

Click here to find out more about the campaign and links to other interview blog posts. 

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