A WOMAN who moved from London to Camelford with the intention of finding work launched a successful online craft shop on a shoestring budget, selling all over the world.

Vicky Stephens launched craft shop DesignItBig on online marketplace eBay in May 2014 with her last £250.

The single mother moved from South East London to Camelford in October 2013. She had worked as an admin finance officer in London, but sought a ‘quieter life’.

“I wasn’t really very happy in the job. I was kind of feeling a little bit bored — there wasn’t enough variety in it.

“My intention was to come down here and find work.”

In the first six months after moving to Camelford along with her daughter and pet parrot, her car broke down several times.

She added: “The last time I was on the way to an interview. The car had to be scrapped.

“From this part of Camelford it made it very difficult to get out to places to get work. That’s when I made the decsion to get my own business.

“I had £250 leftover. I spent a lot of money moving here. Each time the car cost nearly £300 to fix.”

Vicky makes wooden craft toppers in various shapes — crafting was a hobby of hers, and in the first month she managed to turnaround her £250 into around £130 of profit.

“I didn’t have high expectations — that was what I expected in six months! It was absolutely wonderful.”

She is now consistently making more than £1,000 in sales each month, and recently shipped items as far as Cyprus, Australia and Japan. “I even try to get back to people in their own native language,” she said.

Vicky hopes to take the business forward by developing a website, expanding the product offering, and has launched social media channels — and soon hopes to buy a new car.

“My plans are now to keep the business going. I want to make a website for it. I would like to go to craft fairs — go out and meet people.

“I would like to build up a bit of a community and carry on doing what I love. I do really love all my crafting.”

Vicky, whose daughter is expecting a child, is also looking forward to becoming a grandmother, and said she has ‘no regrets’ in moving to Cornwall, and was not prepared to move back to London when presented with transport issues.

“I wasn’t going back, no way! It was on my mind, I’ve gotta find something quickly here, and I was going to lots of interviews. I was determined to make it work here regardless of what was going on.

“I really love the countryside. I’ve been around it quite a lot when I was little.

“The scenery is absolutely breath-taking. Out of my window I can see Roughtor. London is ever so busy.

“I’ve got no regrets in terms of moving here.”