Welcome to My Little Corner of the Internet

Hello and welcome!

If you've found your way here, you probably already know me through my small business, Gifts by Narissa, where I create personalised gifts and handmade keepsakes. But there are so many other parts of my life that I'm passionate about, and that's exactly why I've decided to start this blog.

Over the years, I've realised that my world is about so much more than making gifts. It's about people, community, creativity, and finding ways to make a difference.

Wearing Many Hats

Alongside running my business, I spend a lot of my time involved in community projects and volunteering. I'm incredibly passionate about bringing people together and creating opportunities for others.

I organise and support community events, help run activities at our local library, and love creating spaces where people of all ages can connect, learn and have fun. Whether it's a family fun day, a craft session or a teddy bears' picnic, seeing people smile and make memories is something that brings me so much joy.

I also teach creative workshops, sharing my love of crafting and helping others discover their own creativity. There is something really special about seeing someone make something they're proud of, sometimes even something they never believed they could create.

Giving Back

One of my favourite things to do is charity face painting. There is nothing quite like seeing a child's face light up when they look in the mirror and see themselves transformed into a tiger, butterfly or superhero. Over the years, I've been lucky enough to support lots of wonderful causes and community events through face painting, and it's something I hope to continue doing for many years to come.

A New Adventure

This year has also brought an exciting new challenge: the launch of my poetry book.

Writing has always been an outlet for me. Through my poetry I've explored love, loss, resilience, motherhood, chronic illness and everything in between. Sharing those pieces of my heart with the world feels both terrifying and exciting, but I hope that some of my words might help others feel a little less alone.

Why Start a Blog?

I wanted a place where I could share all of these different parts of my life.

This blog will be a space for:

• Updates on community projects and events

• Behind-the-scenes glimpses of my small business

• Teaching and creative workshops

• Charity work and volunteering

• My writing journey and book updates

• Reflections on life, creativity and the things that matter most to me

Most of all, I hope this becomes a place of connection. A place where I can celebrate the wonderful people and projects around me, share the things I'm learning, and hopefully inspire others to get involved in their own communities too.

Thank you for being here and joining me on this journey. I can't wait to share what comes next.

Love,

Narissa x

Taken at a Rooted Arts CIC Ermine Makes Session led by Narissa. (Button Art)