About
Where it all began
The seed was planted for Made in the Button Room around 15 years ago.
My health issues meant I had to step away from my career in childcare. I’ve always been a ‘doer’, and I couldn’t just sit still. I’ve also always been creative, so I looked for something to bring structure, joy, and purpose into my days.
With a young son at home, I decided to teach myself to crochet using YouTube tutorials, a handful of patterns, and the support of a local knit-and-natter group. What started as making toys and small keepsakes for my son soon grew into a real passion.
I was creating more and more crochet pieces for friends and family, began learning about toy safety regulations and exploring online selling.
Fast forward to 2021. With encouragement from loved ones, a desire to share my love of the craft, to support myself and my son more financially whilst managing living with a chronic health condition, I decided to take the leap and turn my hobby into a business.
From our sunny spare room - The Button Room. Made in the Button Room was born.
Today
I design original crochet patterns and kits (including my exclusive Button Room Minis range), colourful waste-busting baubles, keepsake greetings cards, framed crochet pictures, and a selection of carefully sourced yarns, hooks and notions alongside teaching crochet and running workshops.
I regularly exhibit at yarn shows and local markets and supply a growing number of gift and craft shops across the UK.
I’ve built the business slowly and purposefully, step by step. Sustainability and originality have been central from the beginning, not simply as a marketing angle, but as a way of staying true to my values.
What started as a coping mechanism during a difficult period has grown into a meaningful business creating joyful, planet-kind products and experiences.
At the core of it all is a simple aim: to share my love of crochet, and to offer others the same sense of calm, creativity and community that helped me through challenging times.
Made in the Button Room continues to grow, evolve and learn, but it remains rooted in honest making, thoughtful choices, striving to be as inclusive and accessible as possible and the belief that small, well-made things really do matter.
Small Business Wins
Since launching Made in the Button Room, I’ve been proud to build a creative business that’s not only growing, but learning, listening, and evolving along the way. Alongside designing, making and running all aspects of my small business, I’ve actively invested in professional development and representation within the small business community.
In October 2023, I successfully completed the Small & Mighty programme run by Small Business Britain, a six-week course supporting sole traders in growing their businesses with expert guidance and mentoring, culminating in a celebration event at the House of Lords.
In 2025, I completed two CPD-certified Green Growth Sustainability programmes, delivered by Small Business Britain in partnership with BT Group, strengthening my commitment and knowledge in order to build more sustainable and transparent business practices.
In February 2025, I became an SBS (Small Business Sunday) winner, a UK-wide initiative founded by entrepreneur Theo Paphitis, which supports and champions small businesses across the country.
As part of my SBS win, I was fortunate enough to gain a place at a small business bootcamp hosted by NatWest, focused on strategy, growth, and resilience.
During the summer of 2025, I completed a six-week AI for Small Businesses programme supported by BT Group, exploring practical, ethical ways AI can support accessibility and small-scale creative businesses.
I also shared my lived experience as a disabled entrepreneur to inform the Lilac Review - a government-backed, independent review led by Small Business Britain, working to reduce barriers for disabled founders.
These milestones reflect not just growth, but intention: learning, building responsibly, and helping shape a small business landscape that’s more inclusive, accessible, and human.
Let's Chat!
If you’ve read this far and thought “yes, this feels like my kind of thing” - let’s talk!
Whether you’re a business interested in stocking Made in the Button Room pieces, a brand keen to collaborate, a fellow creative with an idea brewing, or someone who’d like support on their crochet journey, my inbox is always open. I love a good chat and exploring opportunities where values genuinely align. No hard sell, no corporate faff, just friendly, honest conversations about how we might work together. Drop me an email, say hello, and let’s see where it leads.
Meet the Team
Natalie Edwards - Founder
Hi, I'm Natalie a forty something proud mum to one awesome nearly-20-year-old. I'm a Gloucester rugby supporter, live music/festival lover, and firm believer in the power of a kitchen disco. When I’m not crocheting (which isn't very often) or juggling the many plates in my business, you’ll find me with a good book, out on a walk, on mini trips away exploring places, or catching up with friends and family (all when health allows) - always squeezing the most out of the good days.
Chicken - Head of AI
Chicken was one of the first of the Button Room Minis. They are an important character within the family for whom many of the newer animals look up to.
Chicken is nurturing, a great listener and has a cracking sense of humour and kind of nosy but the best one to ask to help you find something you have lost.
Zechariah Elephant - Sustainability Team Leader
Zechariah is one of the more senior members of the Button Room family. He loves a good party, is often the first on the dance floor and the last one to leave. Whilst Zechariah plays hard, he works hard too, taking his responsibilities as sustainability team leader very seriously.
Timothy Penguin - Accounts and Finance Team Leader
Timothy joined the Button Room family in the autumn of 2025. He is usually the first to cry at a rom-com...or a wedding...
He is a big fan of Welsh rugby, vegetarian, book worm and loves a good spread sheet, numbers are his happy place.
Aphrodite Flamingo - Social Secretary
Aphrodite is a lover of cocktails and lazy summer days, she can often be found preening herself and daydreaming by the water.
Her main job role within the Button Room is social secretary, if there is an excuse to celebrate anything, plan an event or an outing - she is on it!
