I am wondering how many of us have gotten in to crafting after being diagnosed with a Chronic Pain condition? I have Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. I started crafting a couple of years ago and found it really took my mind off the pain. I mostly focus my attention on Buddhist prayer beads and I am also teaching myself jewellery techniques. I find it’s a hard balance between crafting as a distraction and doing too much! And if of course I get a relapse (like now) no crafting, which means nothing new going in to the shop!
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Hello, I have multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis. I started crafting after I retired from work on ill health at aged 41. I find it relaxing and it keeps my mind busy. It helps me focus on what I can do rather than what I cant.
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Yes! What a great way of putting it! Focusing on what you can do is so important! 
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Just bought some of your lovely greyhound gifts! One for me & a couple for other greyhound friends. Pic attached of my boy Rez!
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After slipping my discquite a few years ago I couldn’t do much and to take my mind of the pain I decided to start knitting again after having a break when my kids were young and not having the time to knit. I now get a lot of nerve pain so making new items takes my mind of it when it’s bad.
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I slipped a disc 3 weeks ago. Haven’t felt up to much since but a little bit of crafting has taken my mind off the pain.
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What a positive take - focusing on what you can do. I have osteoarthritis - too much sewing aggravates my thumb joints, but I can’t imagine not creating.
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I have a chronic pain problem which stopped me silversmithing so I make my beaded jewellery lying down. The inland revenue call it therapeutic work! X
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I had to give up work at the age of 50 due to multiple lumbar and cervical spine disorders, I have multiple disk herniations, a vertebrae that sits on the one below and no cushioning to the joints. 2 failed spine operations, one left me with permanent nerve damage. I also have a rare bone disorder where my bones regrow too quickly, a widespread condition, possibly the reason behind spine, hips, chest and knee pain and issues. (waiting for another MRI).
I sew from a bed and although I’m finding it increasingly difficult I refuse to give in and focus on the things I can still do rather than those I can’t.
I think a lot of people who enjoyed craft as a hobby turn to it when chronic pain means they can no longer go out to work, it certainly helps keeps my brain active.
Hope you all continue to craft for a long time to come and can manage your pain issues, pleased it helps you all focus and take your minds off the pain
@LisaDavis …me too, I work from a bed. Pleased you could find another creative that you could manage.
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Thank you for sharing your experiences. It sounds as though you have endured a great deal. It’s good to hear how much crafting has kept you going
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I don’t suffer from a physical illness but a mental one. I also find that crafting helps me to forget all the things that are “wrong” with me. I find working on my own is the best thing for me, as I don’t have anyone to compare myself to. My jewellery making is teaching me not to be so self critical, if something hasn’t worked out how I wanted it to I figure out what went wrong & try it again. Then when it turns out exactly how I wanted it to, I feel so proud of myself. And when people buy my jewellery I can tell myself what a talented person I am.
I do still struggle, especially at the moment when sales are so quiet but the craft fairs start again next week so I am hoping that things will pick up soon.
Take care everyone.
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I too have fibromyalgia although I don’t suffer as much as many of you above. I have good days and bad days and knitting and crocheting really help me with my physical and mental health. I try and alternate between knitting, crocheting and cross stitch to allow my arms and hands rest and try and pace myself xx
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Thank you…its degenerative so I know things will deteriorate further but that also makes me more determined. So many people suffer from all kinds of disability so it’s good to know that many use craft to help them deal with it.
Did you read the Craft and well being article that Folksy put together on the blog, it’ a really interesting read and makes you realise you’re not alone, think there may be two articles on the blog. X
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Something we (Francis @thatenamelguy and I) have noticed over our more than 30 years of Craft Fairs, is that a very high proportion of crafters have chronic conditions, whether mental or physical. Among those who do not, on the face of it, most are escaping stressful jobs. Francis was encouraged to take up craft by our children, who were concerned their father worked 24 hours a day. Bless them, they were right. We began crafting in earnest after his first heart attack in his early forties. I also have several health issues - but then, who doesn’t after our allotted three score years and ten?
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It’s good to have something to focus on. My mental health has been up and down since I had my twins. They were born premature & both have Special Needs so I am their Carer. Crafting gives me an outlet. I’m not very confident so making at first was hard. But I make Buddhist prayer beads mostly and get lots of comments from practitioners on how lovely they are to use. When I am making my body & mind are a lot calmer. I have yet to try craft fairs as I am not sure physically how I would cope & as I currently have a slipped disc, theres no heavy lifting for me!
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Hi, I started sketching during lockdown which helped me relax and have something to focus on was lovely to revisit after more than 30 years. I suffer from psoriatic arthritis and some days am unable to bend my fingers but I preserver and despite the pain it is my meditation.
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I’ve the opposite problem- I started to bead a few years ago but am increasingly unable to due to hypermobility. Most recently, I’ve been having lots of pain in my shoulders, wrists and hands, so have barely made anything in the last few months. I’ve sadly come to the decision to use up what I have and wind down the business. It’s made me very sad.
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Aw that is really sad when it is something you love to do. I completely understand, I’m winding down the bear making as well, not sure whether I will close completely next year or continue with embroidered items that are much easier to sew and stuff…but the bears are definately coming to an end. I’m on 472 and will either stop at 500 or when the mohair runs out depends which comes first.
Sending you love, I know how hard the decision is to make.
I’ve been thinking about it for 2 years now, it’s not easy x
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Sad to hear that too. At least you know that the bears you have made have happy homes and are appreciated. The amount of time and love you put into them is plain for all to see!
I think I might have struggled on if people liked what I make but never mind… I’ll feel happier taking a few eggs out of my basket at the moment anyway, as I’m starting to feel like I’m doing a lot of things badly rather than a few things well.
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oh wow, thank you so much! I had greyhounds/lurchers all my life until recently. Now I have 4 very small dogs and I spend all the time-tripping up over them lol. I can’t get used to having such little dogs. Rez looks so cute! I love his little duck toy lol.
I love your shop, it’s so calming and such beautiful items. I couldn’t resist buying myself the tree of life bracelet xx
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