Written in wood. Remembered with love.
My journey began when my son James was just four months old. I was on maternity leave and while I absolutely loved being a mum, I also felt the need to reconnect with myself. I've always had a passion for crafting, so on a wet February day, I bundled James into the car and headed to pick up some bits to make a personalised wedding frame for friends who were getting married that summer.
Excited to be creating something again, I shared the finished piece online — and to my surprise, friends started asking if I could make one for them too... and they wanted to pay me! What started as a single project quickly snowballed. Before I knew it, I had a social media page with over 14,000 followers and a small business taking shape.
I returned to work for a year after maternity leave, but eventually found the courage to take a leap of faith and go full-time with my business — and The Handmade Sign Co was born.
When I lost my dad unexpectedly during lockdown, this business gave me purpose through some of the hardest times. It’s also given me something I’ll forever be grateful for: the freedom to be there for James. School runs, assemblies, sports days — I haven’t missed a moment, and that means everything.
James is about to start high school and is already following in entrepreneurial footsteps. With a little encouragement from me, he’s launched his own business engraving pencils — he's saving to become a pilot one day!
I’ll never be able to thank my customers enough for the support they’ve given me and my family. Every order truly means the world.
