Why crafting saved my life
Before I met my ex I was studying youth work at the University of Chester. I was in my second year when I got a part-time job at the local cinema to fit alongside my studies. I entered into a relationship with my work colleague who became the person who abused me for several years.
Abuse is progressive but looking back I can see the subtle signs that lead to the control he had over me. He controlled my work life and sadly I gave up my studies at University, there were many factors to this but the fact I worked at the same place didn’t help. Things changed when I had children and we had to work different shifts, I was relieved as it offered space however after every shift I would arrive home to an interrogation. Things got worse when he found out I had given work colleagues a life after their shift as it was on my way home, he would refuse to sit in the car for 24 hours because they had sat in his seat. Eventually I reduced my working hours to just 4 hours a week and had hardly any money.
At the time a friend of mine was expecting and as a gift I decided to make a nappy cake, I was always creative so I thought I would give it a go. It followed with a friend of hers asking if I could make one for her for a fee, that’s when I opened up my first business and this was the key to my freedom.
Despite why I set up the business it offered me the opportunity to be creative and I had so much enjoyment from this. At the beginning stages of a business you do everything and I enjoyed putting together graphics of my work. Time has passed since I made this graphic but this was before the digital availability of apps and handwritten script font online which make everything look more eye-pleasing and professional.
The business gave me a focus and an excuse to be in the dining room away from him on an evening. I started networking with people online and grew my Facebook page to 4,000 likes in just over a year. I went to craft fairs and didn’t care that he wasn’t going to support me by looking after the children, I took them with me and juggled it all.
Here’s some of the gifts I sold:
snail 
nappy cake 
gift basket 
sock cupcakes But it was the mums in business gatherings that gave me the confidence and motivation to take the first step out. We separated but lived under the same roof and I got a part-time job to build my income to be able to have the money to get out for good.
If I hadn’t explored my creative side with crafting then I wouldn’t have started the business and wouldn’t be where I am today.
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