Why Sarah chose to join us for a Upholstery workshop โ€“ Q&A with Sarah Toolan Tivnan

Interested in crafts and wanting to find a new skill to turn your hand to? Meet IT Business owner Sarah Toolan Tivnan, one of our recent workshop participants, who came and joined our Deep Buttoned Footstool workshopsโ€ฆ

Tell us a little bit about yourself Sarah?

Iโ€™m Sarah, I run an IT recruitment business. Married for 10 years and spend my time with my Husband and stepson Jack. I love cooking, drinking, and pretending to exercise. Iโ€™m 50 in January and feel like doing the upholstery workshop, I have ticked something off my list. Itโ€™s one of the best things I have done in a long time.

Why did you decide to do an upholstery workshop?

Iโ€™d got to the point that I starting saying โ€œyesโ€ to everything. I decided to โ€œlean inโ€ to any opportunities to come out of my comfort zone and make things happen. Iโ€™d previously stepped out of my comfort zone and joined a business networking group and met an amazing lady called Catherine Sandland and I went on her workshop. From that I had access to lots of wonderful opportunities/workshops/network and training sessions. I saw this workshop on facebook late one night after a few drinks I thought Yes Iโ€™m doing this โ€“ so I sent it to my best friend and she said yes letโ€™s do it.

What did you want to get out of the workshop?

A footstool that Iโ€™d made ๐Ÿ˜Š โ€“ I certainly didnโ€™t know how much I was going to love it. What did you enjoy most about the experience? I enjoy learning new things and the social interaction, plus the satisfaction of having created something original and unique. It’s a little bit of ‘me’ time too!

How did you feel after the experience when you saw your furniture at home?

I couldnโ€™t tell enough people about the footstool Iโ€™d made. People have come to my house and said โ€œI like your footstoolโ€ and I tell them immediately I made it. This workshop is one of itโ€™s own. Iโ€™ve never come across this kind of workshop before. To come home with something youโ€™ve made and really focussed on for the full day and had a great time with just enough people itโ€™s really special.

Did you enjoy being involved in the design process?

Iโ€™m so proud to have been a part of the whole process. Someone asked me if Iโ€™d just covered the stoolโ€ฆ Excuse me, I did the whole thing thank you.

Would you recommend this experience and why?

This is an unforgettable personal experience. People donโ€™t do this kind of thing every day but itโ€™s so rewarding to walk away having had a wonderful day, met like minded people and share something together. I tell everyone about the workshop, Emma, and Ian. You have to get involved Thanks again for a lovely day. Iโ€™m sat working in the kitchen with my feet up on my actual footstool ๐Ÿ˜Š

If one of our upholstery workshops sounds like something you are interested in, you can view and book our individual workshops here. Alternatively If you are interested in making a group booking (for more than 4), complete the Group Bookings form here , and we will get back to you. Alternatively call us on 01260 609021 to discuss your needs.

ยฉ Semper Hopkins Upholstery & Interiors Ltd. | Registered office: 95 Cinderhill Lane, Scholar Green, Stoke-on-trent, Cheshire, ST7 3HR | Company number: 10256862
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