Ministry of Craft - The End of an Era

This week it’s with a tear in our eye that we announce the stepping down of Sam Sterken, founder of Ministry of Craft. Sam has decided that after 6 years at the helm of the good ship Ministry, it’s time to move on to pastures new and pursue a host of exciting new endeavours.  

Sam Sterken, Founder of Ministry of Craft

The idea for Ministry of Craft came to Sam in a vision as she was driving down the M6 to her creatively unfulfilling job (managing canals - it’s a long story!). A few months later after the birth of her first child, Max, and whilst still on maternity leave, Sam let Ministry of Craft out of her imagination and into the world. 

Having a very quick crafting break from our own workshops at The Vintage Festival last summer

Over the past 6 years, as well as being a busy super-mum of two, Sam has built up an enviable team of tutors, experts and dedicated team members in order to deliver first class craft courses and to keep up with the ever-increasing demand from our ever-expanding customer base. 

Sam with son Max (6) and daughter Ilse (3)

The Ministry team is sad to be saying goodbye to Sam, but at the same time we’re delighted that the baton is passing to Alison Leese, who many of you will know as our dressmaking and sewing tutor extraordinaire! So even though it’s a huge change for us, it’s still business as usual for Ministry of Craft, which is just the way Sam wanted it! And to be fair, she’s not going far: she’ll still be teaching her awesome TAILOR MADE FABRIC LAMPSHADE course, along with the supercute SASSY SNAP FRAME PURSE and CLASSY CLUTCH BAG courses to boot. 

Passing the Ministry mantel to Alison Leese

If you’d like to join us in wishing Sam well in her future adventures then why not drop her a line at sam@ministryofcraft.co.uk, leave a message on our Facebook page or you can even tweet us. Next week will be her final week as the Guv’nor (blub!)

Luckily for us we can all follow Sam’s future exploits on her blog A TIN OF PINS, and also on Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest so head there now and give her a virtual hug.

Sam teaching a lovely bunch of hens at one of our hen parties

We’re going to miss you Sam!

Lots of love from the Ministry team.

XOXO 

Sam and Lindsey at The Vintage Festival last year