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:

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.