Students from Shireland CBSO Academy in West Bromwich will be bringing their handmade business, Happiness is Handmade, to Forge Mill Farm on Sunday 29 November 2026 from 10.00am – 1.00pm, as part of the farm’s Santa Paws Welly Walk.
The students will be selling a range of pre-made and customisable products, including keyrings, stationery, guitar picks, coasters, bookmarks, portable games and customisable dog tags.
Happiness is Handmade was established through the Academy’s Enterprise Club, giving learners the opportunity to develop and run their own small business alongside their studies. Since starting the project in 2025, they have created their own branding, launched and Etsy shop and developed products based on their own ideas and customer feedback.
The students have now sold more than 130 items, including bespoke and made-to-order products. They meet weekly to develop new designs, test products and consider how they can improve what they offer.
Their appearance at the Santa Paws event follows sales at community events including the Sandwell Valley Dog Fair and Forge Mill Farm’s pumpkin picking, giving the students further experience of selling directly to members of the public.
The Enterprise Club gives students the opportunity to take responsibility for different aspects of running a business, from deciding what products to develop and how to market them to managing costs and responding to customers.
David Green, Principal at Shireland CBSO Academy, said: “Opportunities like this give our students the chance to take what they have learned and apply it in real world situations. It’s been particularly encouraging to see how far both the students and the business have come since Happiness is Handmade was first established. They’ve taken an initial idea and developed it into something that continues to grow through their own creativity, decision-making and willingness to learn from experience.
“Each event builds on what they have learned before, helping them become more confident in presenting their products, engaging with customers and taking responsibility for their business. Those experiences are important in helping young people recognise what they are capable of achieving beyond the classroom.”
The event forms part of Forge Mill Farm’s wider Christmas weekend, with activities including a Santa Paws photo opportunity, a gift for each dog, a festive dog show, Christmas food and drink, Christmas tree picking and the opportunity to pick seasonal vegetables.
For Happiness is Handmade, the event provides another opportunity for the students to put their business experience into practice, meet customers and represent their business in a different setting.
Visitors attending the Santa Paws Welly Walk on Sunday 29 November will be able to browse the students’ handmade products and support their student-run business.
