A MASTER crafter has described the experience of winning a television competition.

Kerry Hartley-Davis took home the trophy in last night’s episode of Kirstie’s Handmade Christmas on Channel 4.

The show sees artists battle it out for the top spot in front of the host Kirstie Allsopp.

This week’s theme was papercraft and Kerry blew the competition away with a contemporary take of a Christmas wreath, inspired by her time as a florist.

She took up crafts after the birth of her son six years ago.

Kerry said: “I wanted something to do between the naps and the food. At the time I was doing it on the side, it was very therapeutic.

“But then, at the start of the year, I was made redundant, so I decided to try crafting and see how far it could go.”

Kerry started her business, Little Felt Boutique, and built up a solid base of customers who found her work through social media or meeting her at one of the many craft fairs she would go to near her home in Uckfield.

Her art made an impact and was recommended to TV producers looking for contestants for Kirstie’s Handmade Christmas.

Kerry said they had been impressed by her work but, because of her nerves, she waited until the day before the deadline to submit her application. Fortunately, she was accepted.

In preparation for the show, producers visited her home in August to film a few scenes giving background about her as a contestant.

Her house had to be completely transformed into a winter wonderland, leaving her six-year-old son very confused.

“He asked if he should write his list for Santa,” Kerry said.

When it came to filming the final, crafters were given a tough test in which they had to complete an intricate design in just three hours - a limit Kerry said they stuck to very strictly.

She said: “It was just the most surreal, nerve wracking and exciting experience in the world.”

But, after creating a “beautiful” wreath, Kerry was crowned the winner with the head judge saying he wanted to take the piece home with him.

She said: “These things just don’t happen to a 42-year-old housewife from Uckfield. The business is hard work, I drop my son off at school then just work. It’s just me and I’m usually working until midnight. But creating something I love makes it all worth it. Now I just want to push on with the business.”