Hello Etsy shoppers and enthusiasts, my name is Nicci! Welcome to my site “Calm Before Dawn” where you can find a selection of colorful yoga mat bags, headbands, scarves, key fobs and pillow cases. Drawing from over 27 years of yoga experience and a lifetime of sewing everything from dresses to curtains, I decided to merge my two passions and create a line of affordable, hand-made products that are sure to set you apart from the crowd. My passion for yoga and beautiful fabric stems from my somewhat adventurous childhood when I was fortunate enough to live in 26 locations on 3 different continents before the age of 14. I was particularly inspired by the handiwork of women in our village in Zambia who were able to create stunning clothes and bags out of vibrant local fabric. Their pieces were not only full of life and beauty, but also helped fuel their local economies and stood as a symbol of female empowerment and ability. Inspired by the apparent importance of learning a trade, I returned to boarding school in the UK where I learnt how to sew and quickly became a peer-to-peer instructor. The rest was history.
I stopped sewing professionally to raise my three children and also picked up yoga as a way to keep fit and efficiently manage stress. I quickly fell in love with the practice and enjoy nothing better than a good morning flow to help me prepare myself for the day ahead. Now my children are all grown and pursuing their own respective bliss, I have decided to return to mine. Every morning before dawn I sit in my dining room turned sewing workshop with my three dogs, (aka my replacement children) and sew until the sun rises. Through yoga and making my creations for Etsy I have truly found my Calm Before Dawn. I hope my pieces inspire you and bring you the joy and vibrancy that I felt once upon a time in Zambia. Namaste and happy shopping!