A CREATIVE young entrepreneur has established her own business selling replica film props and cosplay items internationally, all of which she crafts by hand from a workshop in her garden in Blackwood.

Charlotte Williams, 21, a higher education student based at Coleg y Cymoedd and founder of Khepri Props, uses her artistic flair to create replica props and costumes from iconic films.

Her portfolio ranges from full suits of armour, Iron Man helmets, Batman gauntlets and even an 8ft pit wheel designed for a production at the Blackwood Little Theatre.

She is a regular visitor at the Film & Comic Con events in Cardiff, often dressing in her creations to demonstrate to potential customers what she can do.

After a stint as a BBC Wales costume intern where she discovered her passion, Ms Williams’ first creation was a pair of space boots, which she decided to put on online marketplace Etsy, not anticipating the level of interest she would receive.

It was then that she decided to turn her hobby into a serious business venture, and over the past four years she’s seen orders quadruple, with much of her business coming from the US.

Ms Williams has received support in establishing her business from Big Ideas Wales, the service for young entrepreneurs, which forms part of the Welsh Government’s Business Wales Service.

She was referred to the service by her tutor at Coleg y Cymoedd where she is studying a BA in TV and Film, and has since been receiving financial and mentoring support from the college’s entrepreneurship champion Lesley Cottrell.

Speaking about her work, the artist said: “I have always been a creative person and was accepted onto the HE course on the strength of my portfolio.

“Prop making is a real passion of mine and to have established a business while studying at college is something I am very proud of.”

She has high hopes for Khepri Props, planning to employ an extra member of staff, allowing her to take on more work and more ambitious projects.