The Beginning

Rachel was raised in the town of Windsor, England until she was 9 years old at which time her family moved to rural Ireland. Rachel was at her happiest spending her days actively playing in the fields surrounded by cows and sheep and all manner of other animals - frequently “rescuing” and bringing them home! As she grew up, many happy days were spent with family and friends exploring the rugged countryside and wild golden sandy beaches. It was those experiences that fostered what can only be described as a deep love of the sea. Rachel always wanted to be in the water or on the water in one way or another.

A Health Crisis

At 12 years old her health began to deteriorate to a severe degree and from then on life was a series of doctors, hospital and specialists appointments. Test after test and theory after theory they could not figure it out. She was eventually diagnosed with M.E. by her family doctor who remarked “we diagnose with M.E. when all the other tests come back negative”. It was a blanket term to say “we know that she is sick but we do not know why!”

Living With Chronic Illness

It was incredibly difficult growing up unwell, not to mention frustrating. But having a caring and understanding family helped a great deal. The hardest part of being sick in her mind was not dealing with the sheer exhaustion, pain and vast array of other symptoms but rather it was dealing with the reactions of the people around her. “You don’t look sick” they would say…”maybe if you gained some weight you would feel better”...these are just a couple of the common reactions she would get. It was thoughtless words like these that on the inside cut her heart like a knife but on the outside motivated her to push herself way more than she should have, knowing that people just thought she was lazy or making it up.

A Diagnosis

Fast forward over 20 years to a move across the world. Marriage to a wonderful man that always believed her and the help of a best friend - a diagnosis was finally made! Rachel had chronic Lyme Disease.

An Escape

Throughout life from a young age Rachel loved being creative in any way possible. However, growing up with a brain full of bacteria meant that she often didn’t know how to express those creative feelings. Now after learning to live with the pain and how to think despite severe brain fog, she can use her art as a freedom and detachment from illness. Its almost like for a small window of time the pain disappears or at least it seems that way as she loses herself in the creative process that is almost addictive.

A Thriving Business

Rachel draws from the enthralling countryside that she grew up in and the stunning rugged west coast of Canada that she lives in now. She has a connection to the simple beauty in nature and her hope is to take the peaceful moment of escape that she experiences at the time of creation and to bring it into your home with the pieces that she makes. To recreate that calm feeling that washes over you as you spend time by the water and to bring it into you home to enjoy every day.