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Guest Author - Sally Beames
Who said something beautiful couldn’t come out of a hard time?
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(From left to right: Anything but Ordinary, The Artsy Craftsman)
In 2020, the pandemic shook the world and forced us into lockdown. It was a hard time for many of us, as our lives were turned upside down by illness, redundancies, and lack of physical contact.
However, amidst all the chaos, a sense of freedom blossomed. Lockdown prompted us to take stock of our lives and contemplate our true desires.
No longer were we tied down to the monotony of the 9 to 5 office job. As working from home became the new norm, people began to look inward and consider what they could contribute to the world.
We aim to inspire you and shine a light on the amazing people behind the small businesses that were born in chaotic times. We want to show you that it's never too late to discover a new passion and start something of your own.
Sometimes, even the toughest situations can be a blessing in disguise.
Here are the stories of brave individuals who faced hard times and created something beautiful. Although these businesses may be small, they offer a lot. So read on and be inspired.
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Out with the grey and dull suits, and in with colour and self-expression!
Fashion has the power to make you feel confident, unique, and wonderfully you. Best friend duo Nat and Sarah, who come from the corporate world, know this better than anyone.
Leaving the world of grey boardrooms behind, Nat and Sarah decided to bet on themselves during the madness of 2021 by following their passion and diving headfirst into the unknown. By 2022, their fashion brand, Anything but Ordinary, was born, adding more colour to the world.
Striving to create feel-good clothing, they call themselves "colour joy creators." Each piece is designed to bring out the joy in yourself and the people around you.
Who wouldn't want to be a part of spreading joy?
Based in Manchester, Anything but Ordinary is a small, independent business that packs a big (loving) punch. It's a brand that cares about the planet just as much as it cares about you.
Want some "colour joy" in your life? Check out Anything but Ordinary here on our website and find your weird and wonderful new look.
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Made In Chaos... but with love, started as a hobby during the pandemic but quickly became a small business after creating cute gifts for friends and family.
As the name suggests, it’s a business that is full of love.
Nichole, a proud mother of three, works hard to support her family. She credits her success as an independent businesswoman to her youngest son, Lucas, who was diagnosed with autism at a young age. Despite the challenges they faced, Nichole's talent allowed her to provide for her family and build a fulfilling career.
Her macrame skills are extensive, and she offers a variety of products, including cake toppers, cute keyrings, and pennant flags.
If you're celebrating something special, consider supporting this lovely family and adding a cute rainbow to the cake. It's sure to make the occasion even more memorable.
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What do you do when the place you went to create shuts down? You create your own!
When the pandemic forced theatres to close, Lydia, a lover of creation, found herself feeling a bit lost. Looking around her dull new apartment, she felt inspired to decorate and make it a place filled with colour and personality.
Wanting to make unique and sustainable decorations, she discovered stained glass and fell in love with creating all over again. Thus, Rebel Glass was born.
Lydia creates decorations, earrings, and suncatchers, drawing inspiration from the world of theatre and icons like David Bowie. Each piece is handcrafted beautifully in her studio with love.
This passion may never have been discovered if it weren't for lockdown, and the world is now brighter for having her creations.
Check out RebelGlass on TikTok to see how she makes her wonderful creations and get inspired to add some personality to your home.
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2020 was a year in which artistic expression bloomed, and paint pouring became a hot topic in the crafting community. The Artsy Craftsman is a one-woman business that exemplifies taking a medium and transforming it into something new.
Nithya, the owner of the business, sells jewellery made out of resin and polymer clay. After showcasing her paint-pouring skills on Instagram in 2020, she started to dabble in making jewellery.
Nithya is a true craftsman, as seen in her Instagram profile. Her designs are inspired by nature, are opulent, rich with colour, and elegantly crafted. You can tell she pours her heart into her creations, and it’s hard not to want one for yourself.
Anyone would feel beautiful in a pair of her handmade earrings. Take a look at her shop and find that special something for that special someone.
Whether you already have a business or simply want to inject some positivity into your life, we hope to have inspired you.
You’ve heard stories of mothers, people who discovered hidden talents, and women who took risks to pursue their passions. These stories remind us that, no matter how tough things get, there's always a new, exciting adventure waiting on the other side.
Unlike big brands, small businesses offer heart and uniqueness. They also have a much smaller negative impact on the planet and foster community.
At The Support Small UK Emporium, we believe strongly in community. If you found any of the featured businesses interesting, please show your support by following them on social media - you will find the links to these in their business listing, just click on the business name in this article.
