Michelle Yoxall
Michelle Yoxall owns Little Syd, a West Derby based gift business and indulges herself in most traditional crafts!
"I have always made things ever since I was a little girl and a member of Liverpool Playhouse Youth Theatre where I made masks and props. I studied an Arts Foundation course but ended up as a designer for Littlewoods. In my spare time I would make bags and tops for my friend's birthdays. I loved sewing, painting, embroidery, origami and making cushions and curtains. I enjoy embroidery too and one of the jackets I have worked on includes a picture of John Lennon, which has been featured in various Beatles conventions and exhibitions.
It all came into its own when I was made redundant from Littewoods last year. When my friends had children I would fold and sew a basket full of baby things such as flannels and socks to look like a bouquet of flowers. Everyone loved them and with the help of Train 2000 the pastime was transformed into a thriving business. It is going so well. I am building new workshops so I can employ more people. From my own experience people love receiving good quality hand-made gifts as they not only see a beautiful product but the love and time that has been devoted to it too."
