Deaf brothers Kierxn and Cameron tell us about their craft businesses! (BSL)

Hi both! Can you  introduce who you are?

Kierxn: My name is Kierxn, I’m 17 years old, profoundly deaf and I have also been diagnosed with ASD. I am the owner of Red Panda Crafts Norfolk. I am based in Sprowston, Norfolk and at the moment I’m studying Animal Management L2 at Easton college.

I have been profoundly deaf from birth, with implants on both side. It has been hard throughout of my life but seeing where I am right now, I am pleased with my journey!

Cameron: Hi, I am Cameron Davison, I am deaf, I wear one cochlear implant. I live in Norwich. I do handmade jewellery and resin item as a part time small business along with part time job and full time Uni.

At aged three, I was implanted. I mainly use speech but I can sign a bit and I use lip-reading a lot.

Why did you decide to start your crafts / business? Who or what inspired you?

Kierxn: It all started in lockdown where I had nothing to do, I was browsing Amazon’s listings of DIY craft kits and I found a Candle Kit. I thought that might be fun! Now 4 years later, I have a scented gift business with over 1000 Followers on all social media. I am proud of where I am, with more dreams to follow in the future!

Cameron: In 2019, I started collecting beads and charms and recently went to a bead shop called Raphael crafts. There I learned a few techniques and attended a few workshops by a jewellery crafts person called Anne.

Anne was a lovely lady and I was inspired by her. I went to a few craft fairs in 2019, however my confidence wasn’t that great. Then in 2020 when lockdown happened, my Mum brought me a starter kit of resin stuff. I have really enjoyed doing that during lockdown. From 2021 onwards, I have been going to lots of craft fairs, with lots of ups and downs but I think my confidence is growing.

What is your current business and what sort of things do you make?

Kierxn: Red Panda Crafts Norfolk (Also known as RPCN) is a small business in Sprowston where we sell Hand-poured Soy Candle, Diffuser and DIY kits!

We have been running for 4 years going around Norfolk and sometime Suffolk to crafts events and festivals! We have also been doing Candles workshop across 5 locations including Norwich, Lowestoft, Banham, Beccles and Wymondham!

Cameron: My business is called Cam’s creations, I do handmade jewellery (a range of charm necklaces, wire wrap stone necklaces, bead necklaces), a range of earrings, lucky dip keyrings, angel keyrings, bead pens. I create a different range of resin, from keyrings to coasters and even to statue. Most materials come from charity shop as I like to reuse different jewellery and change them in my own way.

What are your favourite things to create?

Kierxn: I love doing Candle making workshops. Although it can be a nervous experience at first for me, the response we had was amazing and this boasted my confidence!

Cameron: I love creating pocket hug, bear hug and elephants out of resin as they are the most popular ones. I also. love doing wire wrap stone necklace especially moon shapes along with star beads.

Do you have any funny or memorable moments in your career so far?

Kierxn: Well, when people find out how young I am. They are surprised because they didn’t expect that I would own a business at my age, they think most teenagers are doing nothing! Another assumption people make is they think my mum makes all the candles!

Cameron: My favourite memory is when I had a stall at the deaf festival at Norwich. There was lots of support and so many lovely comments from deaf people.

Are there any obstacles to being deaf in the work you do? How have you gotten around these?

Kierxn: Because I am deaf, being sociable can be hard because most of the time I don’t understand what someone is saying but I listen, focus and this helps.

Cameron: It was really hard after lockdown especially when people were wearing masks, it was very difficult for me as a deaf person.

What is one thing that you would love to change or influence for deaf people?

Kierxn: To show that no matter what level our deafness is at, we can do anything we want to do! Never let deafness stop you!

Cameron: I would like all the tv shows, tv and movies to have subtitles to make it clearer to understand.

Do you have any future plans or ambitions?

Kierxn: My future plans or dream would be to own a shop. My ambition is to become a bigger business that still cares for each customer – just like we are doing nowadays but on a much bigger scale!

Cameron: I would like to have my own shop!

Do you have anything special you’d like to tell us about?

Kierxn: Well I can definitely say that for Mother’s Day, we are offering Mother’s Day Theme Candle Making workshop in three locations. Those include Norwich, Wymondham and Lowestoft!

These workshops offer something fun to do with your loved ones, to make your own three scent-o-Licious candles with tea/coffee and biscuits included!

Cameron: For Mothers Day you might like to see my “I love you” hand statue resin, jewellery “I love you” hand charm necklace and earrings.

What advice would you give to any young deaf people wanting to go into crafts / business?

Kierxn: My advice is to never let anyone stop what you want to do, keep pushing and one day you’ll make it!

Cameron: Don’t give up if you already a starter, just keep going and try different way as you can.

You can find out more about Kierxn and Cameron’s craft businesses here: https://www.creationcraftsnorfolk.com/