Starting a bookish shop has always been something I wanted to eventually achieve with Whimsical Narratives. Book sleeves are one of my favorite book accessories as I always have a book with me and protecting my book while on the go is very important. So...I knew that I wanted book sleeves to be one of the first items when the time came.

Before we get to opening day...we have to go back to February 14th, 2018. A day that changed my and my family's life forever. On Valentine's Day and the day, before I turned 27, my mom was diagnosed with bile duct cancer. Pretty much immediately she went on disability and we began treatment. For something to do while being home my mom and I decided to try a make our own book sleeves. My mom deserves full credit for the way I make my book sleeves. I showed her my favorite one that I'd received or bought and so the pattern was born and we proceeded to try different fabrics and the like until the design and fabrics that you see in the shop today.

Exactly two years after her diagnosis, on February 14, 2020, Valentine's Day, and the day before I turned 29, my dad and I lost my mom. I can't remember precisely, but a previous night before her passing I wrote her a letter and read it to her, thanking her for being the best mom and for all the different ways she supported me since I was born. I then listed promises I wanted to make to her and here it is as written in the letter, " I also promise that I will get my shop off the ground and it will be amazing,"

So, in December 2020 / January 2021, I started turning Whimsical Narratives into a full business. I began making YouTube videos again and on April 30th, 2021 I opened my book sleeve shop and recently decided to move it to its new home here on Etsy! I hope anyone who has read this story knows to never give up and believe in your dreams and be so thankful and grateful to the ones who love and cherish you. This shop is for my mom. I love you, momma!