The Creative Journey Behind ADH Crafts
When thinking about where to begin with Vanessa, the founder of **ADH Crafts**, it feels fitting to dive into the origins of her small business. ADH Crafts is not just a venture; it’s a creative space where neurodivergence, particularly ADHD, fuels artistic exploration and shapes the direction of the brand.
Vanessa explains, "Initially, we operated under the name *Purple Rain,* which I’d been using for quite some time. It felt like the perfect name—until we tried to trademark it. We quickly found out we couldn’t secure the rights, so about 18 months ago, we were suddenly on the hunt for a new identity." This unexpected turn led Vanessa and her partner to reflect on a name that could truly represent their personal and creative journeys.
"Both of us are neurodivergent," she continues. "For me, ADHD is a huge part of who I am, especially in the way I approach crafting. I dive headfirst into different crafts—one day it’s embroidery, the next it’s painting. Whatever catches my eye becomes my world at that moment. So, we played around with different names, and eventually landed on *ADH Crafts*, leaving out the 'D' from ADHD. The sound just didn’t feel right with it included, even though I still accidentally call it *ADHD Crafts* when talking to people!" she laughs.
One of Vanessa's key visions for ADH Crafts was to create more than just a brand—it was to build a collective where neurodivergent individuals could express themselves through their crafts, lean into their strengths, and navigate challenges together. Her partner plays an integral role in this vision, handling the technical side of the business, including the design of their logo. "Without him, I’d struggle with the tech side of things," Vanessa admits. "He’s not into crafting yet, but his support is absolutely crucial to what we do." At this point I did feel a pang of jealousy!
ADH Crafts has grown into a small but thriving community, bringing together like-minded individuals who share a passion for creating. "What makes our collective special is that shared sense of excitement that comes with being neurodivergent," Vanessa explains. "We all get super excited about new ideas, jumping from one craft to the next with enthusiasm. It’s a lot of fun! But it also helps to have someone like my partner, who’s great at grounding us. He points out the gaps we might miss in the rush of creativity, like proofreading."
Vanessa smiles as she talks about how easy it can be to become "blind" to your own work. "You see what you intended to create, but not the small errors that sneak in. I’m so thankful for the people in our community who’ve stepped in to help with proofreading. It’s one of those details you don’t think about until you find yourself reading the same sentence over and over, wondering if it’s right!"
ADH Crafts isn’t just about selling handmade items—it’s about community, creativity, and embracing neurodivergence as a strength. "This business is a blend of creative energy and shared support," Vanessa reflects. "At the heart of it all is the belief that neurodivergence isn’t a limitation. It’s a strength that can lead to amazing things." With her focus on both crafting and community, Vanessa is excited about the future of ADH Crafts. Whether it’s a new craft, a pop-up event, or connecting with other creators, ADH Crafts is a space where people can create, collaborate, and thrive.
Balancing Health, Creativity, and Crafting: Vanessa’s Journey to Full-Time Crafting
Recently I have had many conversations with creative women who have been debating whether to leap into full-time crafting , stepping back from traditional jobs. I spoke with Vanessa, who made this transition herself after her health challenges as a full-time nurse left her drained of energy and unable to focus on her side business.
After going on long-term sick leave, Vanessa turned her attention to her craft business, balancing her health while diving into fibre crafts like processing fleece and spinning yarn. She found that working for herself, with the flexibility to take breaks, significantly improved her health. "I couldn’t do that in a traditional job," she says. Selling raw materials like yarn allowed her to reach a broader audience, as crafters appreciated the chance to create their own items. This shift expanded her customer base beyond just selling finished products.
Vanessa also transitioned from Etsy to eBay, preferring its simpler fee structure and easy tracking system. Her key to avoiding overwhelm? Breaking tasks into smaller steps, like listing a few items each day.
Her advice for others balancing health and a creative business: "Find a balance that works for you. Flexibility is key, especially when your body doesn’t always cooperate. Focus on what’s manageable while fuelling your creative passion."
Through her journey, Vanessa shows how it’s possible to thrive in a full-time creative endeavour with the right adjustments and mindset.
Embracing Local and Sustainable Sourcing for Fibre Craft
Vanessa emphasises that sustainability is central to her work. “It’s been a game changer for the quality of my products and the relationships I’ve built,” she says, proudly referring to herself as a fibre hoarder with a shed full of fleeces.
Her unique sourcing method involves connecting with smallholders often through Facebook groups. “I find people with a few sheep who sell fleece,” she explains. This approach allows her to meet farmers, see their sheep, and understand their care. These personal connections enhance the crafting experience. Vanessa often spins yarn in exchange for fleece, making the process more meaningful. “I love sharing what I plan to create with their wool,” she notes.
By sourcing locally, Vanessa ensures quality control, using non-bio detergents to clean the fleece. This transparency is vital, especially for international shipping, where regulations are strict. “I can provide detailed information about the wool’s origins, which builds trust with customers,” she adds.
I love this as I advocate for fair pricing for farmers, envisioning a genuine value chain from sheep to finished product. These relationships are so important.
Vanessa draws inspiration from Welsh communities that manage every step of the process locally. “So much wool goes to waste because farmers lack resources. It’s heartbreaking,” she reflects. Ultimately, Vanessa aims to utilise every part of the wool supply chain sustainably. “Working with local farms and upcycling materials is key,” she concludes.
The Creative Challenges and Joys of Upcycling in Fibre Crafting
Upcycling has become an exciting and sustainable way to breathe new life into materials, especially in the world of fibre crafting. Vanessa shares how repurposing fabrics has brought both challenges and joy to her work.
Through a membership program, Vanessa gained access to donated fabrics, which often come with their own set of issues, like musty smells and the need for extra cleaning. Despite the unpredictability, she finds that these unique materials lead to truly one-of-a-kind creations.
One of her favourite sources is mixed waste wool bags from carding machines, filled with random colours and textures. “I don’t measure; I just go with the flow,” she says, embracing the spontaneity that adds value to her blends. Vanessa also cleverly upcycles wool insulation from "Go Fresh" boxes into felting pads, a perfect example of giving discarded materials a new purpose.
She emphasises using what you have, whether it’s fabric scraps or linen thread for hand-sewing booklets. "Hand-sewn items carry history and meaning," she reflects, finding beauty and craftsmanship in every project.
For Vanessa, upcycling is not just about sustainability; it's about discovering the magic in transforming discarded materials into something new and beautiful.
Accessibility Products- Mushroom Needle Felting Kit
Vanessa shared her excitement about launching the full version of their needle felting mushroom kits at **Stitchfest** on November 2nd and 3rd. She explained how this journey has focused on refining and testing, and she feels incredibly proud of how everything has come together.
We discussed the thoughtful adjustments they’ve made to enhance accessibility in the kits. For example, they changed the paper colour to improve readability for individuals with dyslexia and added tick boxes in the instructions for easy progress tracking. Vanessa emphasised the inclusion of explanations for those who are neurodivergent or curious about the "why" behind each step, allowing users to stay focused without needing to search for answers online.
She expressed her enthusiasm for the encouraging feedback they've received so far and her eagerness to see how the full version will be received at Stitchfest. Vanessa’s goal is to create a product that not only teaches a skill but also makes the crafting experience accessible and enjoyable for everyone.
Crafting Commissions: Process, Personalisation, and Tips for Neurodivergent Creators
Vanessa shared her experience with crafting commissions and emphasized the importance of clear communication throughout the process. Whether she's working on crochet, spinning yarn, needle felting, or dressmaking, keeping her clients informed is key to a successful outcome.
In one recent yarn commission, a friend requested black hand-spun yarn. Since true black sheep don’t exist, they got creative, dyeing fibre with acid dye and blending it with black fibre to create a beautiful blue-black shade, like a raven’s wing. Vanessa kept her friend updated with photos and discussed adjustments along the way, ensuring both were happy with the final result.
For neurodivergent creators thinking about turning their passion into a business, Vanessa offers key advice: beware of burnout. She suggests diversifying tasks to keep work enjoyable and recommends setting small goals, especially for repetitive or administrative tasks. Working with a “body double”—someone nearby while you work—has also helped her stay productive.
Vanessa highlighted the emotional connections that come with handmade items, noting that crafting for others isn't just about the product but the meaning behind it. For those considering making crafting a business, she advises balancing passion with work, maintaining variety in projects, and communicating clearly with clients. Above all, she stresses protecting the joy that crafting brings.`
Future of ADH Crafts and Community Growth: Insights from Vanessa
As we approached the conclusion of our podcast episode, I asked Vanessa to share her vision for the future of ADH Crafts and the ongoing growth of its community. She spoke enthusiastically about the recent addition of new creators, who were welcomed into the fold through a mutual friend. To help integrate these new members, Vanessa plans to introduce "Meet the Maker" opportunities, inspired by my own approach, which I found delightful to hear!
Creating a supportive atmosphere where members can learn from one another is incredibly important to Vanessa. She emphasised the collaborative spirit at ADH Crafts, which she views as essential. One of her dreams is to facilitate collective selling opportunities; by sharing tables, creators can alleviate the pressure of stock production and concentrate on what truly inspires them. This teamwork not only lowers costs but also encourages greater participation from those selling handmade items.
Vanessa highlighted the strength of the community, especially for those who may feel uneasy about certain aspects of sales, such as customer interaction. In these situations, more confident members can engage with customers while their less confident counterparts handle transactions, fostering a balanced environment where everyone can thrive.
I encouraged Vanessa to keep dreaming big, reminding her that local authorities and their partners often support small businesses through initiatives like pop-up shops and makers' markets. She expressed excitement about the prospect of exploring these opportunities in the future.
On the creative front, Vanessa is eager to develop a new tutorial for a **Malaysian fire snail**, among other project ideas. However, she acknowledged the importance of staying focused, crediting her partner for reminding her to complete current projects before diving into new ones. This focus helps maintain the business's direction and ensures steady progress.
As we wrapped up our conversation, we both reflected on the challenge of balancing creativity with the more mundane aspects of running a business, such as administrative tasks—a struggle that I’m sure resonates with many creators.
Key Takeaway
ADH Crafts is evolving into a supportive, collaborative community where creators can focus on their passions while sharing responsibilities. With plans for pop-up shops, new tutorials, and potential partnerships, Vanessa is enthusiastic about the future while balancing creativity with the practicalities of running a business. I hope to interview her again in a years’ time with her pop-up shops and makers markets flourishing; whilst taking a moment to reflect on today.
This blog was created from a Podcast episode for Threads of Inspiration that will released in November 2024.
Vanessa ADH Crafts
E mail : Adhcrafts@gmail.com
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