New Beginnings with HandMadends: Our Family Story and Handmade Journey

Well, I’m truly excited about our new beginnings and advancing our website! I mean, why not? It’s here, it’s available, and I can’t wait to share our story with you. But before we dive in, let’s get a few things straight:

1. I’m not a grammatically perfect writer — you’ll figure that out fast.

2. I write the way I talk, and I talk to everyone like they’re my friend. So… welcome, friend! 👋

3. My thoughts can be a little random — if I wander off track, just roll with it.

Now that we’ve got that out of the way and you know what you’re getting yourself into, let’s get started!

Where HandMadends Began

It feels only right to start at the beginning — the story of how HandMadends came to life.

(Also, fair warning: autocorrect sometimes makes me look like a genius or like a toddler typing. Sorry in advance! 😅)

I first learned how to **knit and crochet** when I was just 10 years old. Over the years, I practiced, experimented, and fell in love with creating things by hand. In my 20s, I thought, Why not share my handmade projects online?

I started selling on eBay, then moved to Etsy. About two years ago, I decided to collaborate with my mom, and then a year later, my grandma joined us too. Since then, we’ve come such a long way! We’re not exactly where I want us to be yet, but when I look back at how much we’ve grown — it’s pretty incredible.

Balancing Life, Family, and a Handmade Business

Let me be real for a second: this business is my everyday life.

I work a full-time job, come home, greet my husband and four kids, catch up on their day, make dinner, pick up the house — and *then* start working on my business.

Yes, every single day.

But don’t get me wrong, I have my lazy moments too. On those days, I curl up in my chair with a knitting or crocheting project and just relax. Those quiet moments are often when I get my best ideas.

The Heart of HandMadends: Family First

The heart of HandMadends is — and always will be — family.

We come together to create beautiful, handmade items, and we treat every customer like part of that family too.

Funny thing is, I didn’t realize this at first. I had a name for the business but no logo. Then, about a year ago, everything changed.

My grandpa had become ill, and during that time I came across a picture of a tree with the quote:

“Like branches on a tree, we all grow in different directions, but our roots bring us together.”

That quote hit home. It perfectly described what we were — a family rooted in love, creativity, and togetherness. Around that same time, I had moved back home and reconnected with my family, which made the meaning behind our business and our new logo even more powerful.

A Year of Reflection and Growth

This year has been a hard one — our first without my grandpa. As the holidays approach, I find myself reflecting on how far we’ve come, how much has changed, and how deeply our business has been shaped by family.

Although HandMadends officially started back in 2008, I believe its *true journey — the one with purpose and meaning — began just two years ago.

So when people ask me, “Who is HandMadends?” my answer is simple:

HandMadends is family — in every stitch, every creation, and every connection we make.

What’s Next for HandMadends

As we grow our handmade business, we’re excited to share more with you — from our favorite knitting and crocheting projects to new handmade gift ideas and family stories.

Thank you for being here at the start of this next chapter. Whether you’re a crafter, a supporter of small businesses, or just someone who loves meaningful handmade pieces — welcome to the HandMadends family. ❤️