Today we’d like to introduce you to Kriselda Canales
Hi Kriselda, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I have been a stay at home mom since I had my first son at the age of 18 in 2011. My husband (boyfriend at the time) had always been the provider, so after having my second son a year later, I started getting into crafting to possibly start a small business to help him. I would make flowers out of soda cans and sew small projects and even started making bracelets. But none of that really worked for me as I thought it would. I then started making birthday invitations and that’s what actually started my business. But as time went on, it slowly started to die down and I was stuck at square one trying to figure out what to do again for some time,
Then I became pregnant again with our third son and gave birth to him in 2016, I also taught myself how to crochet around this time. When he was almost a year old, I came across an article where the author had made a stuffed bear, a memory bear to be exact, out of clothing. I thought this was so unique and started to research some more and found a sewing pattern on how to make a stuffed bear. I started going through my sons’ outgrown clothing for something I wouldn’t mind cutting up and got to work. I didn’t know it at the time but this is what would kickstart my business again. In December of 2017, I got my very first order for memory bears when I came across someone’s Facebook post looking for anyone who makes memory bears.
Since then, my business has grown a bit, and we had a daughter in 2019. I now make different animals, pillows, vinyl shirts and also got into embroidery and added embroidery clothing to my business. I can also add photos to any memory items and can also turn any photo into embroidery. I’m currently working on my first memory blanket and hoping to offer new items.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Owning a small business is never easy, even while raising a family. There have been some bumps in the road, I’ve shed some tears, gotten frustrated and just wanted to give up entirely. I’ve been making memory items for almost 7 years and my business still isn’t as big as I hoped.
Sometimes its hard to get orders. There have been times where I won’t get any orders for months. And even when I’m working on the very few orders I do get, I’ll run out of supplies and material and don’t have the funds to purchase what I need. I’ve also made mistakes while working on orders, I could cut something wrong, embroider the wrong thing, use different size clothing then what was requested. But of course I always let my customers know of any mistakes and always try to make things right with them.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I mostly work with those that have lost a loved one. They will put their trust in me and give me their loved one’s clothes to turn it into something memorable.
I love hearing the story they tell me about those who are no longer with us, it helps me feel more connected with them. It’s not just any piece of clothing but clothing that is meaningful and special. Also seeing their faces light up when they see the finished item(s) warms my heart and makes my day.
I really can’t tell you what sets me apart from others. I know what I do is unique and special but I’m not the only one who does something like this. We just try to help the grieving process a little easier and make a difference in peoples lives.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
I had an average childhood growing up, it was just my mom, older brother and I. When I was maybe between 8-10 years old, we traveled to Florida with some family members and visited my aunt who used to live there. This was my first time traveling out of state and we drove there. While there, we went to a couple of different beaches and parks and also celebrated the Fourth of July. But the best part of it all was when we were able to visit Disneys Epcot. We had always wanted to go and had a blast. Of course it was the best day ever.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://sewblissfulmemories.etsy.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SewBlissfulMemories?mibextid=kFxxJD
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SewBlissfulMemories
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@sew.blissful.memories?_t=8nU7OUd7GvP&_r=1
Image Credits:
Kriselda Canales
