ORSETT Show provides the opportunity for many smaller local businesses or craftspeople to bring their wares to a wider market. 

Trade stands and tents at the show offer a wide range of interesting things that you can buy and we are delighted to feature some of the people and crafts that are involved. 

One of those is Rainham-based mum Laura Bailey, whose enthusiasm and passion for her business is engaging and she produces a product steeped in love and care. 

Laura, who is mum to two boys, Freddie (2) and Henry (10 months), is not just the brains – but the talented craftswoman behind The Crochet Crib Co. 

Laura taught herself how to crochet during the pandemic lockdown 2021 when she was pregnant and really enjoyed the satisfaction of making something beautiful from some yarn and a hook. 

Her first creation drew lots of admiration and Laura was asked by her sister if she could make her a crochet Moses basket when she announced she was pregnant with her third child and that's how the company was born!  

She now specialises in high-quality, handmade crochet cribs made to order. What started as a hobby has quickly turned into a passion for Laura, and her story so far is one with challenge, commitment and a lot of inspiration. 

When it comes to making her cribs, Laura works while the boys are sleeping or in the evening. Balancing everything is in her skill set, and she loves it. It's a hobby and a passion for her, and it feels therapeutic and relaxing – it's her me-time. 

And her products are truly unique. Laura's cribs are not only beautiful, but they're also safe and customized for each customer. 

She told us: "I'm a one-woman set-up and lovingly handmake every basket from scratch from my home. I pride myself in producing high quality and beautiful products which also meet British and European safety standards. 

"The Moses baskets have been independently tested by a UKAS accredited lab to ensure they meet the requirements of BS EN 1466:2014 + AC:2015. They have also passed flammability testing. 

"The baskets are available in more than 35 colour options and are made to order. 

"They can be a single or double colour as standard, but they can be made in more colours for bespoke orders. 

"Requests are normally to match the decor in homes, with 35 colours available. Cord colours can change by season too. It's a very personal process, with one-to-one interactions via social media, email, and she's happy to accommodate all requests."

To reach a wider audience, and also to have the opportunity to meet customers face-to-face, Laura plans to exhibit at craft fairs and baby fairs this year. Orsett Show will be one of the first. 

She will be presenting a range of her products, including a new addition, a range of dog and pet cots.

She's going back to full-time work as a PA in October, but she'll continue to make the products in her free time and still look at ways to grow the business. 

The dream is for this to become a full-time option, but her focus is to continue building a high-quality, beautiful product. She enjoys making these cribs on the side alongside family work – it's truly a passion. 

You can check out her cribs at the show on Saturday, 2 September in the craft marquee – and some of her work will also be going into the show's handicrafts competition. 

Laura's work can also be found on Facebook and Instagram.