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    09

    Aug 2020

    Last Updated: 07/08/2020
    Business
    Business

    Dreams are coming true for Ripon entrepreneur

    by Tim Flanagan

    | 09 Aug, 2020
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    For some businesses, the coronavirus crisis has created growth opportunities and that is certainly the case for Ripon entrepreneur Letasha Johnson, whose custom-made goods are in great demand.

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    For many individuals and businesses, the coronavirus crisis has brought nightmares, but for Letasha Johnson it has provided a pathway to achieving her dreams.

    Anxiety and sleepless nights caused by the covid 19 pandemic have seen a surge in demand for the healing, feel-good and therapeutic hand-crafted products that she makes at her Ripon home.

    Orders have tripled, when compared with the same period last year.

    The 24-year-old mother of two young boys, who started her business LR John Crafts four years ago, told the Stray Ferret:

    "This has been a particularly difficult time for many people and they have been looking for ways to alleviate problems such as sleeplessness."


    This has brought an increase in shop and online sales for custom-designed items including dreamcatchers, inspired by those made by native American tribes and comprising a frame, webbing, ribbon, lace, feathers and semi-precious earth stones.

    They are made to be placed close to beds in a position where the morning light falls on them. Legend has it that the dreamcatcher filters out nightmares and allows only good dreams through.



    Letasha said:

    "In recent months, they have proved popular for people of all ages and with different needs, from those who are finding it difficult to sleep to parents whose children suffer night terrors."


    Varieties range from the more traditional round construction, to dreamcatchers in the shape of animals, whales and unicorns - which are generally custom-made for children's bedrooms.



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    Sales online through Etsy, social media and her own website are now made to 21 countries, including the USA, Australia and Hong Kong, along with orders placed by customers across the UK and other European countries.

    Letasha also makes protective face masks, as well as jewellery and hair accessories including scrunchies. She supplies goods to Liz and Kevin Hill for sale in their Karma shop in Kirkgate and other outlets, including hair salons and a wellness centre in Nidderdale.

    With the increasing demand for her products, she has enlisted help from her mother, sisters and friends to handle orders and, in the longer term, hopes to employ other skilled crafts people, working in their own homes and making the range of products.

    Letasha said:

    "When I left college a few years ago, I knew that I wanted to develop a crafts-based business and, with help from a lot of people, I am pleased to say that my dreams are becoming reality."