When I first embarked on this whimsical journey of mine, my crafting corner was nestled snugly in the bedroom closet. Picture this: a desk adorned with vintage patterns scavenged from estate sales, and me, diligently listing them on Etsy while they disappeared faster than cookies at a bake sale. With a lineage of resellers coursing through my veins, I had a hunch I was onto something magical.
But hold onto your hats, because life threw me a curveball—I had just remarried and suddenly found myself in a blended family with nine, yes nine, kids! My little reselling escapade had to take a backseat while I juggled the chaos of family life. So, I snagged a part-time gig and started dabbling in doll-making for a local market alongside my sister. Ah, the joys of crafting! Little did I know, finding the right market was like untangling a knot of yarn on a bumpy road.
Fast forward to our current abode, where I commandeered the garage for my crafting escapades. It became a haven for creativity, sewing sessions, and a hangout spot for the kiddos. Dolls, animals, and sporadic seamstress gigs filled my days, but boredom at work pushed me to seek greener pastures. Lo and behold, a job just five minutes away from home popped up, and I jumped on it faster than a needle through fabric. Ah, the sweet smell of freedom!
However, life wasn't all rainbows and unicorns. In the midst of tax lessons and business babble, I lost my creative spark. Depression loomed like a dark cloud, overshadowing my once vibrant spirit. I watched enviously as other artisans thrived while I struggled to pick up the pieces of my shattered motivation. And then, like a plot twist in a feel-good movie, COVID hit, and I hit the big 4-5.
With a heart heavy with realization, I bid farewell to the mundane and embraced life on my terms. The warmth of the sun on my skin, the therapeutic rhythm of gardening, and the soothing hum of the sewing machine became my daily companions. Every stitch was a step towards reclaiming my joy, my passion, my purpose.
Enter 2019—a year of serendipitous encounters and newfound inspiration. A visit to The East Bay Depot for Creative Reuse in Oakland sparked a wildfire of creativity within me. I brought the essence of that magical place back home to the Central Valley, where dreams took root and possibilities blossomed.
And then, like a beacon in the night, Kathryn from Swansons Fabric entered my life. Together with a band of creative souls, we embarked on a mission to breathe life into forgotten fabrics and yarns, preserving the legacies of our elders one stitch at a time.
The journey wasn't without its challenges—heart-wrenching moments of bidding farewell to cherished memories, salvaging what we could from the brink of oblivion. But through it all, we persevered, our passion fueling our mission to keep the art of sewing and crafting alive and thriving, one day at a time. So here we stand, amidst the tapestry of life, stitching together a future filled with creativity, community, and boundless possibilities.
