My hands are how it all started, making a leather handbag for my mother.

I am a woman of the craft. Creating things by hand is something that I've mastered over time and fallen in love with. Not just leatherwork and bookbinding but needlework, cooking and much more.

Over the years as Queensberry grew I got busier and busier, and, for much of each year, I've put this aside.

But today I was reminded how much I've missed working with my hands … the feeling, the respect for my craft, the getting back to a space that fills me with love.

Why is handmade so special? There is a Greek word, meraki, which means to do something with soul, creativity, or love — to put something of yourself into your work. When you work with your hands you do just that, you pour your soul, your creativity into it … and you leave feeling accomplished. Photographers will know what I mean. So will anyone making something with passion.

I created something today, and that is a beautiful gift.

Heather

Images in album by Davenport photography