charlene’s feedback

Charlene Sandy is a textile artist and workshop facilitator based in London. Following a successful career in fashion, Charlene returned to her textile roots working in a gallery, and now facilitates Art and Craft workshops in and around the city, working with children and adults. Charlene continually develops and shares the knowledge of crafts, keeping up with traditions, old and new. She is passionate about craft and sustainability, most recently working with city farms to find a use for their sheep fleece and deepen her natural dying practice.

Charlene did the Lasting Impact programme for freelancers. This is what she had to say about taking part:

I signed up to Lasting Impact as I had attended a free workshop Sarah had put on for undercharging which I found really useful. I had started a new project for my business and needed some support.

Before I started working with Sarah I had left my job as a programme manager at a gallery to pursue my textiles practice. I was doing well; I had already laid foundations with my community participatory workshops, and I had secured Developing Your Creative Practise funding. But what I always struggled with was pricing, how much I should be getting as a fee and pricing up the products I produce.

I was on a wellbeing journey since 2020 so I was aware of things I needed to do to stop my anxiety coming back again (another reason I left my job). I live with my parents who are in their 80's so their health is slowly deteriorating and caring for my daughter, which can be a lot when you are also trying to run a business and making sure you are not burning out.

I was curious about how to price products and fees and how to get more income and spend less time working, to fulfil other duties.

Through the programme, my confidence increased when speaking to organisations with regards to fees/money. Also working with Sarah in a group dynamic really helped me because even if I didn't have a burning question on our weekly call there would always be someone else in the group who would have a similar issue to me. This was good for me as working freelance can be very lonely and sometimes you just need that other person there to sound off to and then you realise ‘no, I am not going crazy’.

My biggest win, apart from the confidence to approach/speak to potential clients/organisations, is being able to have the confidence to trust in my process and do what I am able to manage.

I enjoyed the group aspect. It pushed me out of my comfort zone as I am bad with comparison. Sarah makes everyone feel included and what people say valid. I really enjoyed the questions she posed. It made me think the whole time and question what I was doing, why certain things were not working and what I needed to do to move forward.

 What would I tell other people about Sarah? The most important thing people should know is that she is fun, really gets into the crux of the whys and why nots. She treats everyone the same and I can tell she genuinely wants us all to succeed.

Want to know more about Charlene’s work? Check out her website and sign up to her newsletter.