An arty bride-to-be who was forced to postpone her wedding has used the time when she should have been preparing for her nuptials to get ready for her first craft fair instead.

Harriet Crayford, 22, of Old Town, was due to wed fiancé Shane this month but the pandemic got in the way and the pair postponed their big day until next year.

It was the second big blow for Harriet, who was made redundant from her job in a children’s nursery early in lockdown.

The former Commonweal School pupil has always enjoyed arts and crafts, and taking part in a family art competition organised by her aunt during lockdown sparked an idea.

Unexpectedly finding herself with time on her hands, she decided to set up a little business venture making and selling her creations, which she hopes to run alongside her day job once she is back in employment.

Harriet, a former Adver delivery agent, said: “I’d always been curious about whether I could develop a little sideline making and selling my artwork as I enjoy creating it so much.

“Lockdown turned everything on its head and was horrible in many ways, but it gave me the time and the opportunity to make my arty dream a reality.”

Her creations range from original paintings on canvas or wood, to painted wooden decorations and a selection of cards, postcards and prints made using her original designs.

Harriet began by selling to family and friends, but word soon spread and her Facebook page, Harriet’s Crafts and Creations, quickly began receiving orders from customers who’d heard about her work.

She said: “It was a lovely feeling getting my first order from someone I didn’t know. With friends and family it’s easy to wonder whether they’re buying because they feel obliged. My confidence took a bit of a knock when I was made redundant and finding out that people who didn’t know me wanted my artwork was a great boost.”

On Saturday, Harriet set out her stall at the Indie Craft Market in The Shambles, Devizes, where she received a warm reception.

She said: “It wasn’t how I expected to be spending what should have been the Saturday before my wedding, but I really enjoyed taking my crafts and creations to a new audience. It went really well and people showed a lot of interest and seemed positive about what I had to offer. The Christmas decorations proved particularly popular.

“I’m really enjoying my new venture and am looking forward to keeping it going as a sideline once I am back in work.”