From Cancer to Corby Creates
Hi, I'm Beckii – and this is the story behind CorbyCreates.
CorbyCreates is my little passion project, but it came to life in the most unexpected way...
In 2019, I married my wonderful husband Mark. We have two beautiful children, Charlie and Eliza, and life felt perfect. I was working as a nursery manager and loving the balance of my career and family life.
While planning our dream wedding and juggling life as a busy mum, I developed a sore shoulder. I assumed it was just a pulled muscle and tried to push through the pain. But as it worsened, I knew something wasn’t right. In August 2019, my world turned upside down—I was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma (bone cancer).
What followed was incredibly tough. I endured months of chemotherapy, battled sepsis three times, lost all my hair, and underwent surgery to remove my humerus bone, where the cancer was located. The surgery left me with very limited use of my left arm. While my hand still functions, I can no longer lift or move it the way I used to—which meant I couldn’t even pick up my children anymore.
In February 2020, I finally got the all-clear, and by April I had completed chemotherapy. But just as I was ready to start rebuilding my life, the world went into lockdown. With no immune system, I was confined to our home. It was an incredibly isolating time. I struggled with feelings of loss, uncertainty, and trying to come to terms with the fact that I couldn't return to my old job. I also had to adapt to the long-term effects of cancer and the partial paralysis in my arm.
To pass the time, I started doodling on my iPad. Those little sketches soon turned into full designs and prints for our home. Slowly, friends and family began requesting custom prints for gifts and special occasions. That creative spark gave me a new sense of purpose. With endless support from Mark, CorbyCreates was born.
Since then, I’ve completed a graphic design course, invested in tools like a Cricut and laser cutter, and built up a growing collection of handmade gifts and designs. Each piece is created with love and care—perfect for someone special, or simply to treat yourself.
If you have any questions or are interested in a custom order, feel free to drop me a message.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read my story.
With love,
Beckii – CorbyCreates
♡
