The Firain shop is open!
“Don’t dig up in doubt what you planted in faith.”
My mum helped me to style this photo. We had fun collecting foliage and flowers from around her garden. I knocked a nail into the log, hung the bag, stuck some tape onto it, and BOOM, a shop opening announcement was created! It was one of those bright end-of-summer days in the Highlands, and we had to make the most of it.
Later this same day, just over three weeks ago, my older brother Andrew died in a car crash.
Everything stood still, just like people tell you it will.
Suddenly, this shop seemed so irrelevant, so irreverent. I fell behind on my arrangements to open it, and I didn't really care.
Then I started to think about all the makers, designers, artists, painters, and sculptors for whom creating is the only thing they can think about. For whom making something tangible - created with care and passion and intent - is an intrinsic part of what gets them up in the morning. They have side hustles that they juggle with full-time work and family life. Many make considerable sacrifices to create; the motivation of the makers I was stocking inspired me at a time when I felt empty.
I needed to open this shop because it would be an anchor when everything around me was whirring.
Firain is a Welsh word meaning ‘good, noble, fair and fine’; to be known for good, whether creating beautiful material things or for the unending kindness and generosity my brother will be remembered for, is a motivating force.
We all have such a lot to share, so people, let's not hold back!
Create, connect, tell each other things in real life, and be with those you care about in person, if possible. Decorate with meaningful items. Wear clothes that make you feel good. Talk about uplifting things. Be brave and have faith that it will work out in time.
This is simply an online shop. A contribution to our family income. Nothing much in the great turbulent sea of online businesses.
However, it's my creative outlet, and I have faith in it, hoping that it will be a good place to be and to shop and to support the people who craft with their hands, whom I admire so much. We will grow slowly and only sell things we truly love.
I have no energy, can't look at the screen for too long, and am so confused about how to process these emotions. I am digging deep to just function. So thank you for being in my little space and helping me to take baby steps toward making this venture a success.
