history of runkels crafts

After coming to terms with the fact that teaching and me were not suited to each other I chanced upon the opportunity to obtain the skills of a toy maker. During this time I worked in a small co-operative of other likeminded people discovering the joys of working with wood and creating things from it.

Unfortunately 1998 saw the end of my involvement within
the co-op and I moved to new premises converting a
redundant chicken shed into a small workshop. Here
along with several partime staff we create and make
Runkels Crafts products, with the inspiration for new
ideas and designs coming from the staff as well as myself.

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staff

My main member of staff is Irene, she works along
side me in the workshop, preparing, finishing and
lending inspiration for new products. Along side
being a mother of two children, running her
household comprising of a dog and a husband she
manages to fit it all around part time work for me

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Percy has worked here for several years now, juggling
his school studies and the sanding and polishing of
jigsaws for me very well

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Margaret and Danny are retired, however, two years
ago they came to my rescue when I had lots of
products that required oiling and had run out of
time they are still trying to catch up

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Emma is at school doing her A levels and is the
daughter of my partner; she also helps Danny and
Margaret applying Danish oil

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Last but not least is my partner Alf, he has
the unenviable job of trying to please me,
repair the workshop machinery, make sure we
get to craft fairs on time (even when we have
set of two hours late). There is plenty of
hot water when I get home and hot food
available also, whatever the time I return home

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