Smiling Gingerbread Friends Decorative Table Mat – Festive Holiday Décor

Back in 2012,  I fell ill and had to take a break from my job in the retail industry. During this time, I discovered a new hobby that brought me immense joy - creating crafts. Coincidentally, my daughter was going through a tough phase, plagued by nightmares caused by an unfortunate electric shock incident. I desperately wanted to find a dream catcher to help her sleep peacefully again, but to my surprise, they weren't available anywhere in stores.

So, I came up with a idea. Why not make a dream catcher myself, exclusively designed for my daughter? It seemed like the perfect way to show her my love and bring some comfort into her life. With determination and creativity, I embarked on the journey of crafting her very own dream catcher. It took time and effort, but when it was finally finished, the smile on my daughter's face made all the hard work worthwhile.

But the story doesn't end there. My son, always observing and curious, became intrigued by his sister's dream catcher. He wanted one for himself too! How could I refuse? Seeing the joy and wonder in his eyes, I gladly put my crafting skills to good use once more and created a second dream catcher, just for him.

Little did I know, these humble beginnings would mark the start of something remarkable. Crafting became my passion, my escape from the stresses of life.

Suddenly, I found myself delving into extensive research online. I eagerly scoured through various materials, trying to find the ones that would make the production of more captivating dream catchers possible. My motivation grew as I discovered more adventurous options, like incorporating beads and charms into my designs. Not stopping there, I also broadened my range of offerings to include bracelets, keyrings. and then other crafts. It was a journey of exploration for me.

In August 2012, I received some tough news - I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and Arthritis. These conditions made it impossible for me to continue working like I used to. Faced with this challenge, I began thinking about starting my own online business to sell the crafts I enjoyed making. I created a catalogue with a variety of products, but deep down, I had my heart set on buying an embroidery machine. Unfortunately, when I looked into the cost, it quickly became clear that I couldn't afford it right away. But that didn't stop me. I focused on making the other items, hoping that would be enough. 

Over time, my health gradually deteriorated, and in November 2019, I received the diagnosis of Functional Neurological Disorder. This unfortunate condition, in addition to the existing challenges of Fibromyalgia and Arthritis, made it increasingly difficult for me to transform my creative ideas into tangible products that I had envisioned selling. Confronted with this obstacle, I finally made the decision to fulfil my dream of owning an embroidery machine by purchasing one.

In April 2022, I made an important decision for my business. I decided to shift my focus mainly on the embroidery aspect. It was a tough choice, but I wanted to nurture my passion and expertise in embroidery. However, surprisingly, a few of my loyal customers reached out to me with special requests. Their feedback and interest led me to reconsider my decision, and I happily decided to start creating needle minders again, a product I had previously sold. Their support and enthusiasm encouraged me to blend my embroidery skills with additional crafting, ensuring I could cater to their needs while still pursuing my passion. I will also be incorporating my Wishlets Wish Bracelets onto my website.

I absolutely love crafting and nothing brings me more joy than creating personalised pieces just for you. Each order is carefully made with your specific preferences in mind, setting me apart from the usual practice of mass-producing identical items. Even when I am asked to create multiple pieces that look the same, I approach each one with the same level of dedication, treating it as if it were my very first. Rest assured, I only use top-notch materials in my creations to guarantee the utmost quality and excellence for each item.

More recently, I have received a diagnosis of complex PTSD. My crafting helps me to get through the really tough days.

I wanted to take a moment to express my sincere gratitude for your valuable time spent reading this message. Your willingness to visit Wishful Stitches means a lot to me, and I genuinely appreciate it. I understand how valuable time is in our busy lives, and I am truly thankful that you chose to invest some of it into exploring Wishful Stitches. It is individuals like you who inspire and motivate me to keep striving towards making Wishful Stitches better every day. So once again, from the bottom of my heart, thank you for your support and for being a part of Wishful Stitches!