Busy working mums Jo Busuttil and Gemma Hayns could not have expected the success of their Southampton craft company, which specialises in ceramic and homeware items from unique, vibrant hand-painted designs. 

By Jo Crafts Ltd. has won several awards, as well as rave reviews for products and service, and has expanded rapidly since its beginnings towards the end of 2019.

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'The one who can paint' Jo had shown some of her work to 'the one who can't paint' Gem, who had experience of running a business, and the pair decided to venture into the world of craft fairs nearly five years ago. 

Following a Covid-induced hiatus from the fairs, and the successful launch of their website, the business was going from strength to strength and Gem left her job in the finance sector to follow her dream of running her own business. Jo soon followed and left her arts and textiles teaching job at Ringwood School behind to fulfil her passion of selling her artwork. 

Gem told the Daily Echo: "After we started attending small village craft fairs, we soon realised we had something special to offer.

"Before long we both gave up our full time jobs and fully immersed ourselves in the life as small business owners, trading all over the country and supplying retailers with our unique products.

"Juggling our lives as mums, wives and business owners we embrace new opportunities to showcase our work. I manage the business and Jo is the artist, together we make a perfect partnership. We even quite like each other, most of the time!

"From our very first craft fair, where we had to borrow a pasting table and tablecloth, we have come a long way, and we're not stopping there!"

By Jo Crafts ceramics have a unique embossed texture unlike anything seen elsewhere. They are vibrant, tactile and mostly double-sided. 

All of the designs are from hand painted originals using alcohol inks and acrylics painted by Jo in her distinctive style.

There are 120 different designs across various product lines and are stocked in more than 70 retailers. 

The firm's awards include Homeware Retailer of the Year 2023/24 and Most Creative Ceramic Homeware Company 2024.

Jo and Gemma also share their passion by running workshops where budding artists can explore and experiment using alcohol inks.