Valentine’s Day is just one of the many times you may need to find that perfect gift. What if you could not only find a great handmade gift but by doing so help support others with chronic illness? You can!
Why waste money on mass produced junk that will likely not survive to July let alone next year, when you can buy something that was handmade with love. Many with chronic illnesses have found ways to turn their creative hobbies into an income. They create amazing things. Things that would leave that special person in your life with no doubt that you care enough to find the perfect hand-made gift.
Conscious Crafties – Conscious Crafties is an online marketplace specifically for those with chronic illnesses to promote and sell their handmade items. There are over 100 sellers there with thousands of items. You can find everything from jewelry to clothing to art for your walls. You name it and you can find it there, and every item helps support others with chronic illnesses. Check this out: Crocheted Roses from Crafty Miller (how’s that for a Valentine’s gift that lasts)?
Etsy – There are so many creative spoonies and others with chronic illnesses selling amazing products on Etsy. One of my favorites is SpoonsFromASpoonie. Nick creates some amazing figurines out of spoons, and he’ll even do custom projects that perfectly match the personality and interests of your favorite spoonie. A few others you may want to check out
- Giftbearer makes some really unique jewelry
- Nature Bound makes some really cool candle holders, wood ornaments and jewelry too
- Colorful Creations by G has more unique jewelry
- Shaggy Creations makes some adorable Welsh Corgi art prints
Bridgwater Crafts – Kimberley Bridgwater is another spoonie who crochets and knits everything from washcloths to hats and more.
PattMade – My friend Beverly (who also has Fibromyalgia) and her husband, Weldon, make some amazing woven and knitted items. Every single item is unique and beautiful. I’ve seen these in person and all I could say was WOW!
Amazon! – I know Amazon is not exactly the first place you think of when you think of hand-made items, but they have actually expanded quite a bit. That said, I’m still going to include here the things you think of first (because at it’s heart Amazon is still the world’s largest bookstore and there are some really great books written by spoonies).
- Foggy Frog and the Pain Gang by Megan Schartner is a picture book that explains chronic pain, perfect for your little Valentine.
- The Best Part of My Day Healing Journal – is a journal to allow you to reflect and chronicle your journey to healing.
- Return of the Key is a novel by spoonie, Alisha Nurse. She also has a book on Return of the Key
- The Whole Health Life
by Shannon Harvey is a science-based look at what can help improve chronic illness. It shares her story living with chronic illness as well as a wealth of info.
Joyce says
Could you address the issue of ‘Panic attacks’? How do other handle it? I have a sick husband and have been dragging my self to drive him in PA and Maryland to doctors, tests, and Physical therapy. I am a mess that i can not let him see right now. He is my support and I ‘get it’ person that past year with 3 hip surgeries on the right hip. The Chronic Fatigue is off the charts. I still must walk with a cane do to stability issues. Hubby has been rushed to ER 3 times in 2 weeks in the wee morning hours just as I can finally sleep. I am putting on a ‘mask’ for him so he doesn’t feel bad for not being there for me.He constantly says he is sorry for increasing my load. I was taught not to cry and when I DO i always try to get away from him as it tenses him up. Last night was a massive panic attack every time I tried to lay down and tried to put my C-pac on. I felt suffocated and could not get my breathe. I when to the door to breathe the 27* air. I have even put my head in the cold freezer to ‘shock’ me into breathing. With the Fibro, RSD, diabetics, asthma, Afib, enlarged heart, Neurophy and Chronic Fatigue, The hip issues, and all the little host diseases. These panic attack are scaring me big time. I ache all over and I mean ALL over. The combat soldiers in side my body are in full combat issue and are attacking! I took some Lorazpane low dose but it took over 2 hours to kick in.GRRRR. I would just have question to how others deal with this. I have had Fibro and RSD since 1989 but not dx till 1999. without God I would just give up but we are not quitters but conquerers. Please reply I need to feel I am not alone.God bless you all. Gentle hugs and warm fuzzies.
Julie says
You’re not alone. I’ve not had a panic attack in a long time but I still remember how it feels. You are overwhelmed and your body and mind are trying to process and deal with so many things. All you can do is try to remember to breathe when it happens and even that seems beyond your ability. I used to take xanex for panic attacks and it helped a lot, but even that took a few minutes to kick in. Learning to refocus my thoughts has helped a lot, trying to be mindful of where I am in that moment and focus on what’s going on around me, rather than letting my mind get wrapped up in the negatives – the shoulds, the coulds, the didn’ts. I had to work really hard to limit the use of those words in my vocabulary.