At the heart of Ivy May Artistry and Why

At Ivy May Artistry, what we do is deeply rooted in a legacy of resilience, creativity, and the belief that anything is possible. My mother, Ivy May, raised us with a very specific rule: there was no such thing as "I can’t," and "I’m bored" was a banned phrase. She taught us that if you want something, you have the power to create it yourself.

A Legacy of Resourcefulness

My parents were "late" parents; they were young adults during World War II, with my father serving as a "Rat of Tobruk" with the British Army. In 1952, they emigrated to Australia as "Ten Pound Poms." Life was lean, and there was rarely extra money in the kitty, so they became masters of resourcefulness. My father built our kitchen by hand, and my mother sewed all our clothes.

My brother and I inherited this "maker" spirit. While my brother became a blacksmith (you can find his work at @Fellriggforge), my own path to artistry took a little longer. As a young girl, I was a total tomboy—happier riding bikes and playing in the creek than sitting still. My mother once tried to teach me to crochet, and I vividly remember throwing it back at her in frustration! She despaired that I would ever pick up a craft.

Turning Grief into Art

Everything changed when I was 17. My father passed away suddenly, and my world was shattered. We were incredibly close; we used to spend hours just sitting and talking. In the wake of his death, my mother and I had to reinvent ourselves. We both had to learn to drive, and just four weeks later, we boarded a plane to England to see my grandparents—a trip that proved to be a vital first step in our healing, especially as my grandmother passed away only five months later.

During this time of immense grief, I finally turned to crafting. What began as a way to pass the time became a profound method of healing and coping. Like so many others, I discovered that working with my hands provided a sanctuary for my mental health.

Our Mission

Ivy May Artistry isn't just about making beautiful things; it’s about the peace found in the process. We exist to share the same healing power of creativity that saved me years ago. If you are looking for a way to quiet the mind and soothe the soul, let me show you how.

In the next blog, I will... Continue on the my journey and crafting