South Yorkshire entrepreneur sees global demand for handmade crafts

Local craft business Adam Verde has seen continued demand for its homemade decorative animal shaped pillows, 3D greeting cards and children’s books internationally through its e-commerce store launched on Etsy.

With orders being placed from as far as the USA, Canada and Australia, Adam Shaw an experienced graphic designer and the brains behind the venture announced he’d already hit his yearly sales targets three months ahead of schedule.

Established in May 2019, the business was set up when Shaw wanted to bring his designs to life. However, sales really took off, following the publication of his first children’s book titled ‘Bear Learns to Dance’ which incorporates the illustrations and the 3D designs used on his cards and is produced on 100% recycled paper.

Since then Adam Verde has received grant funding from UKSE – a business that invests in steel areas in the UK – which has allowed the brand to purchase specialised printing and sewing equipment that has helped to expand its service offering.

Shaw said: “The last 18 months have been a bit of a roller-coaster for obvious reasons, but I’m relieved and very proud to have maintained a strong business output continuing to see a desire for our cute environmentally friendly designs.

“I would like to thank both UKSE and the Rotherham Investment & Development office for their continued support and I’m hoping that we will continue to expand over the next year.”

Alan Stanley, regional executive at UKSE said: “There is a clear target audience for the lovingly designed items that have been created under the Adam Verde brand.

“It’s fantastic to see the outreach the company has got through its online presence on social media and Etsy and I wish them the greatest luck in moving the business to the next stage.”