At only 14-years-old, Jackson Cook is stitching his way to success through his sewing business.
The young entrepreneur started the business, called the House of Jackson, after a bet from his grandmother.
“My nan challenged me to make a lumberjack hat and that was five years ago,” he said.
“It’s just grown so much since then.
“My first market was about two years ago.
“Now I do about 50 markets a year, mainly in Armidale but I also do the Seasons of New England in Uralla which is a big market.”
Juggling school can be difficult so it is important to structure his time, Jackson said.
“I schedule my days… I will come home after school and relax until about 4pm,” he said.
“Then I’ll do some homework if I have any and then I do three hours of sewing at least every day.”
Jackson has also been a proud supporter of the no more silence movement in Armidale and stitched together the first banner for the loud fence which was burnt down.
“The first one was burnt down but I have made a new banner and it’s back on the folk museum where the first one was,” Mr Cook said.
“It’s brighter than ever so no more silence!”
The display is designed to empower and help victims of child sexual abuse.
Loud fence Armidale member Robyn Knight said Jackson had been a great supporter of the cause.
“Jackson is just an absolutely top young man,” Ms Knight said.
“He made our first banner that got burnt down.
“While I’m sure that was disheartening for him, he’s a great young man.
“He videoed our launch on Facebook as well,” Ms Knight said.
Mr Cook said his favourite thing about the craft is the colours.
“I love all the colours and all of the different prints you can get,” he said.
Jackson’s range of handmade backpacks, aprons, lumberjack hats and quilts can be found at the Armidale Farmers Markets, held on the first and third Sunday of the month in Curtis Park.
