AN ORGANISER of craft parties for children found creative ways to carry on after the coronavirus lockdown threatened to bring her business to a halt.

Lexy Browning, the owner of Made By Me Craft Parties, was set to have her best year so far, with a packed diary for May and bookings to the summer.

The lockdown put a stop to the crafting and partying – but she said the setback only lasted days.

She said: “I knew I needed to adapt, so I chatted to friends and customers to find out how I could help them. I decided I was not going to be beaten.

“I had a craft room stuffed full of supplies and parents were faced with weeks of entertaining their kids with little access to craft items. So, the Craft Survival kit was born; a box of basic craft supplies and mini activities for children to do, such as wooden bird boxes, gliders, and key rings to decorate.

“I also included an inspiration sheet, with lots of ideas of what to do with the contents.”

When her own craft supplies ran low, she raided her party supplies and put together teddy bear making kits, which people snapped up to gift to their children or friends for birthdays or treats.

People also held Zoom parties at which children made the bears together.

With the help of her own children, aged seven and 10, Lexy, from West Moors, also launched Craft Along With Me tutorials on Facebook every Tuesday and Friday.

The sessions aim to inspire children and parents to craft with basic supplies and such as toilet rolls, old rocks and yoghurt pots.

Some of the videos have reached more than 24,000 people, with viewers sending in photos of the things they have made.

Although many families have decided to postpone birthday parties, Lexy is running online craft parties decorating tote bags.

“I miss running craft parties, but creating kits has been a lot of fun and it’s given me some focus during this challenging time,” she said.

“I have appreciated all the messages from happy parents and the fantastic photos showing off their children’s creations and I am so grateful for all the support from everyone.

“I certainly never thought I’d be putting myself out there online showing so many people how to craft.”