I have osteoarthritis too. I had both knees replaced at age of 45. It was the best thing I ever did, the bone on bone pain has completely gone. I cant move around much because of the MS, but at the least the little bit of hobbling/wobbling around the house is less painful lol. Osteoarthritis is soooo painful xx
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Thank you! Your lovely items arrived this morning! I just dropped the bag and key ring around to my friend. She loves them. Her and her husband walk my grey with theirs when I canāt manage. See pic.Rez cries everytime we go past their house. They do prefer to be with another grey donāt they? Thank you for your order. I will pop it in the post today.
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I got into jewellery making as an extension of my card making but as I have rheumatoid arthritis I had to give up card making after 20 years.
Jewellery is much easier and I can relax more,I also have days I cannot do much because of it. It does take my mind off everything too.
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Hi! Itās so lovely and inspiring to hear how crafting and making has helped people with managing chronic pain.
I have always crafted since childhood on one thing or another from tapestry, sewing, weaving, felting, spinning, card-making, mosaic, you name it! I love how crafting is so relaxing, therapeutic and uplifting.
I was introduced to rudraksha malas through my meditation practice and have been making them as a sideline since 2009. But this went to a new level a couple of years ago when I was diagnosed with cervical dystonia. I struggled to sit at a computer for any length of time and so left my day job to put more attention on expanding and diversifying the jewellery business and I feel so lucky to have been able to do this. I love how it offers flexibility around other work commitments and Mum-ing, the opportunity to be more creative more often and the new connections and community that is opening up. It has been a gradual process for me, but I am excited to see where it is going. And for others tooā¦
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Thanks for sharing. I had used a mala for years in my Buddhist practice then I read a couple of books on prayer beads. The transformative process of making them that some of the authors had gone through was heartwarming. Eleanor Wiley in particular had a difficult life that she turned around with meditation and prayer and prayer bead making. I mostly make Pureland Malas as that is my Buddhist tradition but keep dabbling with other ideas.
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I have had spinal arthritis since I was 17 and hypopituitarism for 6 years. Although hypopituitarism isnāt a painful condition, Iāve had to slow my life down as it totally zapps your energy and itās a life threatening condition so I have to manage it well.
I didnāt start crafting because of my illnesses as mum taught me to knit when I was just 4 but it is something I can do that I can focus on.
Also, I lost my mum on motherās day this year and now my knitting helps with a different kind of pain as it gives me comfort as I have many happy memories of me and mum knitting together.
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Fascinating! I have checked out your shop and love your prayer beads. Theyāre beautiful and itās so lovely that they have healing benefits as well X
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Thank you for sharing. It sounds like you are quite a remarkable lady to have coped with such health challenges from such a young age. My cup of tea is raised to you.
Iām so sorry for your loss, but glad that you can find some solace and comfort in your beautiful knitting 
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Aw thank you but Iām just me and do the best I can. I see my mum go through many challenges including having major spinal surgery at 40 and having to learn to walk again plus many other surgeries but she never let anything beat her.
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Thank you for sharing. Sorry to hear of the loss of your mum but what a gift she left you with your crafting skills. My Aunt passed away with Dementia in March and she taught me to knit and sew when I was about 11. She was the only one interested in crafts and I am so thankful that she handed her skills down to me.
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I have MS and do find that making is very helpful as a way to distract from the condition, I listen to library audiobooks as I work and am in another world!x
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Thanks for sharing. I know what you mean about the audio books! I love listening to radio 4. So easy to get lost in a play whilst beading!
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Hiya. I didnāt actually start crafting because of chronic illness but had to give up my job 6 years ago due to CFS. I too find it helps take you into another world and escape some of the pain temporarily. It is just frustrating when your symptoms are that bad and you canāt even get up and do anything.
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Hi Nicola,
Thanks for sharing. I still havent managed to balance bursts of creative energy with pacing. On a good day I push myself too hard, and the next day I hit that brick walk again. It seems totally unfair that life has to be broken in to time slots with CFS when the rest of my friends and family can whizz around day after day. But like you say, in the time we are making things we can switch off from the pain.
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Aww Iām sure thatās not true and youāre not doing things badly. Itās hard sometimes to struggle on and when things are quiet and sales arnāt happening it is easier to make the decision to stop doing what we love. I hope you feel better about it all soon, I know how difficult it is, would be nice if you could continue doing what you love to do xx
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Have have just been listening to this programme about breathing and pain control. I do some meditation but not enough. this new research is quite interesting. You really donāt need too many minutes of breath work to reduce pain. Just One Thing - with Michael Mosley - Take A Breath - BBC Sounds
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Catherine, Iām in the same boat - wondering if itās wise to keep going when I canāt compete on price and I too donāt know if what Iām doing is even wanted. I would love to find that one thing I can excel in - and that it happens to be something people want. I think a count-my-blessings session is in order 
x x x
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I agree. I did actually make a sale last week, which was an unexpected delight! I think Iāll just have to see how things pan out for a bit longer. Best wishes.
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happy dancing done I hope. Iām keeping on too - what else can we do eh? x x x x x
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Hi everyone,
Oh yesā¦ Iāve been suffering pain from my back and joints since 2007, I have osteoarthritis in my hips and Iām now undergoing tests with neurology for nerve pain. They are thinking fibromyalgia, but theyāre not in a huge rush to find out 
I started sewing again just after my son was born in 2012 and within 6 months I had a sewing business. I went full time with it in 2017 and yes focusing on my creating helps me deal with pain. I do have to watch not to do too much or I suffer for it and Iām bad for pushing myself too much!
Caroline x
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