Blofield company Ivy Upholstery heading to Norwich Pop Up

Catherine Cracknell used lockdown to rediscover her love for a hobby and decided to take a big step.

Originally working for a law firm, followed by work in London, the pandemic allowed her to focus on upholstery, something she had been studying previously in her spare time.

Catherine learned her trade through the Essex-based Upholstery Skills Centre between 2014 and 2018, passing her diploma with distinction.

Catherine Cracknell is bringing Ivy Upholstery to Norwich Pop Up (Image: Ivy Upholstery)

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She said: “It really clicked for me as it was a good mix of creative and practical.”

Since getting her diploma, Catherine set up her own small business in 2021, Ivy Upholstery, followed by a move back to Norfolk.

Originally moving to Norwich to study accounting and law at the University of East Anglia in 1999, working from home allowed her to "see things from a different 
perspective" and realise that she "wanted something else".

Ivy Upholstery is heading to Norwich Pop Up (Image: Ivy Upholstery)

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Catherine added: "I met my husband at the UEA and loved our time in the city. 

"Norwich’s vibrant creative scene drew us back."

Catherine's journey started with a cocktail chair that she inherited from her grandmother, which her parents had reupholstered as a 30th birthday present.

Ivy Upholstery is heading to Norwich Pop Up (Image: Ivy Upholstery)

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Now she renovates old pieces of furniture, creates new ones and works on small 
projects for local people and businesses from her workshop in Blofield.

On the weekend of June 16 and 17, Catherine and her sister Alex will be setting up at Norwich Pop Up in St Augustines Street.

Catherine Cracknell will be joined by her sister, Alex Harrington (pictured), of Chelmsford-based Ceramics by Alex at Norwich Pop Up (Image: Catherine Cracknell)

A selection of ceramics by Alex and refurbished chairs and furnishings by Catherine will be available to view and purchase. 

Catherine said: “We are both really looking forward to it but are slightly apprehensive as this is our first time facing people rather than one-on-one with clients."

Ivy Upholstery is heading to Norwich Pop Up (Image: Ivy Upholstery)