A CREATIVE business started 3D printing in Bury during lockdown has grown exponentially and enabled its founder to work around her fibromyalgia.
Sam Groves and her husband Jason, both 34 from Swinton, now run three businesses out of Newtons on The Rock in Bury.
When Sam’s mum got a diamond painting kit last January, her poor eyesight meant she was struggling to complete it so she passed it to her daughter.
Samantha Groves
Sam said: “I am an avid crafter and I completed the painting, but I found the tools provided were difficult to use.
“I have fibromyalgia and the pens to pick up the diamonds were very thin and the trays that were provided to separate the diamonds did not work very well because they had rounded sides so the diamonds didn’t sit properly.”
By March 2020, just before the first lockdown started, Sam launched Painting With Diamonds.
R&D
Sam initially developed a new style of pen using polymer clay to thicken the pen making it easier to grip.
The clay had to be baked in an oven for an hour, then embellished with glitter or a design before hardening with several layers of resin.
Sam also sells bespoke acrylic pens and is looking to source local suppliers.
A month later, Sam decided to extend the range by redesigning the tray used to hold the diamonds and she bought her first 3D printer.
Jason, who is a Nettl franchisee and runs a creative agency Dot Leaf offering printing, website and graphic design, created a CAD design of the first products.
Now Sam’s business has four printers literally working around the clock as the intricate seven shelf stack unit for the diamond trays takes 29 hours to manufacture.
A large diamond tray that took seven-and-a-half hours on her original printer can now be made in just two-and-a-half on the newer version.
World wide supply
Sam said: “When I sold accessories to an influencer Rachel Rae from Ireland who has a huge YouTube following she blogged about it and my sales soared.
“I have very exacting standards and there were lots of prototypes of the products that were not good enough, but now I have the skills to design my own accessories and get them 3D printed.
“Running my own business means that I am able to work around my Fibromyalgia. If I push myself too far then I really suffer, but being self-employed I am able to take a day off if I need to.
“I manufacture shelving, pen stands, funnels, trays and create special versions for Christmas, Hallowe’en and Valentine’s Day and sell everything online at www.paintingwithdiamonds.co.uk and www.diamondcraftsupplies.co.uk
“My first customer for both businesses lives in Kuwait, and she still buys from me. I have sold to New Zealand, America, Singapore, Canada, the UK and all over Europe.”
Jason added: “We have gone from a having small office upstairs to being in one of the largest spaces at Newton’s and my business has grown and been able to take on a new web designer.”
Matthew Kendall
Founder of Newtons of Bury. Rethinking property management with Newtons Estates. Helping pollinators with Bury Bee Co. Aiding those in need with apresShower Dryer.