A woman who was nearly killed by Covid has created a thriving crafts business - and her clientele includes celebrities.

Karen Henderson turned her hand to making impressive door wreaths and ‘unique’ crafts just over a year ago.

The 54-year-old grandmother from West End taps into the magical side of her brain to produce fantastical decorations.

Her business, Country Cottage Crafts, was born after she was seriously ill with Covid-19 in 2021.

Daily Echo: Karen Henderson with two of her handmade wreaths Karen Henderson with two of her handmade wreaths (Image: Maya George, Newsquest)

Karen said: “I caught Covid and nearly died, and I now suffer from PTSD because of the trauma and being on a ventilator.

“My counsellor told me I should do something I enjoy for five minutes, then if I enjoy it to do it for 10 minutes, and so on.

“I ended up becoming absolutely absorbed in my crafts and it’s grown from there.

“Before that, I was in the RAF for five years until I had my daughter.

“Then I became unwell with fibromyalgia and ME (chronic fatigue syndrome) and I was bed bound for quite a few years.

“I said to my husband Gary ‘I’m bored being at home all the time’, so I made little crafts and it all went from there.”

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Karen’s creations are popular amongst West End residents, many of whom stop to admire her handiwork often displayed outside her home.

But most recently, she sold a ‘giant pink wreath’ to TV personality Vanessa Feltz.

The pair met at a charity garden party at Buckingham Palace last year, and the rest is history.

“She’s such a lovely lady, and my Instagram page blew up when she posted about the wreath I made,” Karen said.

Daily Echo: Karen's Mad Hatter wreath Karen's Mad Hatter wreath (Image: Maya George, Newsquest)

She added: “As soon as I make something unusual, I get lots of orders.

“I think about what I can include in the wreaths and what I can create from stories.

“People only have to give me a few words of what they want and I delve into their brain.

“Customers want unusual, different, and unique, and that’s what I do.

“Whilst my health is poor, I’m lucky I can indulge in something I love.

“Every item I make is unique and individual to me.”

Karen’s prices range depending on what is included in the wreath.

To find out more, visit Country Cottage Crafts on Facebook and Instagram.