Alsager Nub News aims to support our community, promoting shops, businesses, charities, clubs and sports groups.

We will be profiling some of these local businesses and organisations over the coming weeks called 'Up Close in Alsager'.

This week we caught up with Raegan Sidley, of Boopy Bella Designs, a local handmade and personalised craft business based in Alsager.

Where do you get your inspiration and ideas from when producing handmade art and crafts?

A lot of my inspiration is taken from things I see when I am online shopping or browsing places such as Pinterest, if I see a colour scheme I like or a room decor idea I like I go from there.

Tell us about your journey, have you always aspired to run your own business?

I have always liked the idea of being my own boss, I was always very creative in school, so it made sense for me to put my talent to use.

[B[When did you decided to launch your business? Did Covid-19 and lockdown have an impact on your decision and describe the range of handmade art and crafts you offer to customers? Do you take special personalised requests?[.B]

I have launched my business recently since having my second baby, I found myself getting bored and needed something to focus my mind and something I could do from home.

I'm a big lover of anything colourful and sparkly, so the resin art is great fun. I also produce scrabble frames which can be personalised for most occasions, I'm open to all requests!

Judging by your Facebook page, your new home, wedding and family scrabble frames are proving very popular, is there a specific type of product that you would say is your favourite to produce and carries an extra meaning?

I'm actually currently designing some 'Baby Name' frames which I'm very excited about, I have two young children, so these are a little closer to my heart.

How do people place an order with you?

I can take orders through my Facebook business page; I have lots of pictures on there and on my Instagram of the items I have on offer.

If people have something in mind that they cannot see, they are more than welcome to make requests.

I will happily deliver within the Alsager area for free at a time to suit and at a safe distance, or I can post Royal Mail first class for a small charge. I work at a timescale of 7-10 days for the frames or artwork to be complete.

What are your long-term aspirations for the business? Are there any new and upcoming products, ranges or categories you are hoping to release soon? Would you like to have your own full-time shop, possibly even in Alsager?

I am working on some new items, I'm always looking at inspirations and throwing around ideas, so keep your eyes peeled!

Long-term I'd like to try and get enough interest maybe to start running some stalls at local markets to showcase some of my items, a shop would be amazing at some point, but for now whilst I'm working around my two little rascals, I have my hands full enough!

How would you describe the response to your business since launching? After a crazy year, do you feel like there is a new-found love to support local businesses?

I've had a really good response to the items I have launched already, people seem very interested and there is a real sense of community within the small business sector at the moment, it's great to have local support and to hear people tell me they love my products.