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I would like to share with other members how I started crafting. It might encourage fellow sufferers.
Six years ago I suffered a breakdown and was unable to work. My niece suggested I do cross-stitch to keep me occupied as I was not happy about going out and about and was a virtual prisoner in my own home. My husband took me to our local craft and sewing shop and bought me a very small cross-stitch kit. I wasn't getting on with it very well but one of the members of the Access Team who was visiting me (anyone who has had mental health problems will know who the access team are) could cross-stitch and she helped me. Once I got the hang of it I found it very relaxing and calming. When I was feeling a bit more confident in myself I joined a local craft club, by then I had stitched several large projects as I was stitching 8 hours a day 7 days a week (I think I had become addicted!)and they held an exhibition. I submitted some of my large pictures and lo and behold I sold one. The rest as they say is history. I returned to part time work in 2002, I have progressed to making cards in both cross-stitch and papercraft, I have converted my daughter's bedroom (she is married now)into my workroom which houses everything I need as well as my computer. I have been selling at craft fairs for 4 years, for the last two years I have been organising a craft market in my home town which has become very successful and we have a waiting list for people to book stalls. I have my own website and (I suppose this is competition) have opened a shop on e-bay which is proving to be very successful. Ideally, I would like to give up work completely and concentrate on my craft, but it really is only a hobby that pays for itself.
I hope this story hasn't been too depressing for people but hopefully will give encouragement to people who have been in the same position as me.
The pictures are of the very first large project (the Blue Lady) and the last large project (the Art Nouveau Lady)I have stitched. |
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