Uphouse Crafts, founded by Andrea Leask in 2019, is based in Aith on the Westside of Shetland and sells hand-sewn purses, bags and keyrings, as well as greeting cards featuring her artwork.

Andrea took up sewing in 2017 to make clothes for her son and in 2019, she decided to start her own business creating bibs, peg bags and tote bags for others.

Uphouse Crafts has developed into a thriving rural business that offers a range of handmade crafts and eco-friendly home décor. Working from a small studio at her house, Andrea is passionate about sustainability, reducing waste and inspiring creativity - values that run through every aspect of her work.

Andrea finds enjoyment in the process of making things from scratch. As her skills developed, so did interest from others, and what started as a hobby evolved into a business with a loyal following.

Sustainability is important to Andrea, so she uses natural and recycled materials wherever possible.

Shetland influences Andrea’s work, which features puffins, seals, whales and nautical themes. She also makes hand-knit Shetland Fair Isle purses and some of her products feature Shetland Tweed Wool.

Andrea turned to Business Gateway to take her digital marketing to the next level. She received one-to-one support from advisers Genevieve White and Rene Looper, as well as specialist consultancy in digital marketing and content creation from Tuminds.

With guidance from a Digital Audit, Andrea made key improvements to her website, which helped increase her Google domain reputation score from 10-15 in a short space of time. The audit also led to a more streamlined browsing experience for customers.

Through additional copywriting support, Andrea gained the skills to write more clearly and effectively for her audience, crafting copy that speaks directly to her ideal customer, tells stories about her products and services and with strong calls to action.

Uphouse Crafts has also accessed further guidance through workshops and specialist market research on trends in the creative crafting sector. These insights, alongside Andrea’s entrepreneurial spirit, are helping position her business for continued growth.

As her confidence grows, Andrea is also showcasing her work in person. She took part in the Shetland Wool Week Makers Market on 4 October 2025, where visitors were able to see her range of handmade crafts and meet her face-to-face.

Andrea Leask, founder of Uphouse Crafts, said: “Running a business in Shetland comes with its own unique challenges, especially when it comes to building an online presence and reaching customers beyond Shetland.

“I knew my website and communication needed work, but I lacked the confidence to make those changes on my own. The support from Business Gateway has been genuinely transformative - it helped me understand my customers better and gave me the tools to connect with them more effectively.

“I no longer feel like I’m guessing. Every change I’ve made has been backed by trusted advice and it’s already making a difference. I now feel far more confident in how I present Uphouse Crafts and excited about what’s possible for the future.”

Genevieve White, Business Gateway adviser, said: “From the beginning, Andrea has shown a genuine openness to learning and a real determination to strengthen her business.

“Her commitment to implementing every piece of advice has made her an absolute joy to work with. She’s taken on feedback with enthusiasm and applied it quickly and thoughtfully, which will no doubt have a lasting impact on Uphouse Crafts. We’re excited to see how her business continues to grow and reach new audiences - both within Shetland and beyond.”