Hey! My name is Emma and I am the one and only person behind the scenes here at Life's Lemons Handmade. I am a lover of all thinks vintage and bohemian, which you will most definitely see come through in my work. Lace and crochet are my weakness, and I also can't resist a bit of paisley, embroidery or a beautiful floral print!
I design the items, source the fabrics, adapt patterns, cut out the orders, construct the garments, hand stitch little details, run the Instagram page and website, deal with invoices and admin, take photos of finished products and get them packaged up and posted off to their new homes... All of this worked around family life as a Mummy of two! Not going to lie, it's a lot of work, but it feeds my creative soul and I wouldn't have it any other way!
I have always been a creative person, crafting and making this, that, and the other at home. I most definitely got it from my mother! I grew up with her pointing things out in shops and saying "oooh that would make a nice cushion!" So the idea of taking something and turning it into something else has been ingrained in me since birth!
I learned how to pattern cut and sew via secondary education but then life delivered me into retail, where I worked for a well known clothing brand in a management role. It was only once I became pregnant with my first child, and couldn't see how those hours would allow me to be the mother I wanted to be, that my mind swayed back to the option of using my skills for something other than a hobby.
It still took me while to have the confidence to open up shop. However, as the 1 year anniversary of my Dad's death crept up, I wanted something to dive into... and it was the perfect distraction.
The name "Life's Lemons" comes from the phrase "When life gives you lemons make lemonade!" because I took a bad memory and created a new exciting one to make it feel a little lighter. It's also in reference to the vintage and repurposed fabrics and trims I like to incorporate within my work to give them a new lease of life! Oh... and one of my best friends also uses the nickname "Lemon" for me (long story) …so it all just felt right!
If you're still reading at this point then go you! That was pretty epic! But I think when you're buying from a small handmade business it's instilled with the concept that you're helping a real person to provide for their family, rather than supplying a company car for yet another CEO at a big company! And sometimes its nice to have a little insight into who you're buying from!
I absolutely adore creating these unique pieces, and seeing them worn by your littles to make those everyday memories, or for those special occasions to look back on! Memories are so important and I think a good outfit always makes them so much more memorable! Just saying...