Please Help Me to Help Myself

This is my last attempt at trying to achieve something here. I tried handmade plush toys which here did not get the attention I hoped. Then I tried handmade jewellery which also did not get the attention I believed it would.

I believe this is mostly because of where I am and their view that homemade/handmade items should be cheaper than storebrought items and the fact I already underpriced the items I made because I enjoyed making them so much I felt bad asking for their true value. What with online sites like Aliexpress and items in stores being cheap because they are mass produced the public opinion is handmade should be cheaper still but with some items that's really not the case and I still won't overcharge.

Now I really want to do baby clothing with a side project of hospital donations. This is because many people who buy handmade clothes understand the work and time that goes into an item and won't try to haggle a price too much. The side project is because I've had family members fight cancer and they didn't get half the items offered to them that could've made little things more comfortable, like port cushions or seatbelt cushions, stoma or urine bag covers and I have been made aware of the plight of friends who were parents of preemie babies and the hospital not having clothes small enough and how it would've made a huge difference if any had been available, I want to help by making and donating these sorts of items to hospitals here that will accept them because they are not available for free or even cheap, I will do this even if I have to set up a FB page and asking people to get in touch for them.

But now that I've decided on this project I've been hit up with a major stonewall and other smaller issues; the three machines I have all either packed in or are broken.

My "new" machine which I brought 3 years ago for my plush venture never worked with any actual plush fabric (and so I resigned to sewing everything by hand instead) has broken something inside and I don't have money to send to the company to fix and the two proper "vintage" machines I acquired have stopped functioning properly I am now without a machine. I'm now on my last desperate attempt to start a business from home and keep myself fed and housed before I give up my lifelong dream of living in Italy and move back to England. So far I've managed this long because of amazing friends giving me work, buying my items and a partner helping out immensely but I want to make my way here and also be able to contribute without depending on others and I can't without the means to help myself first.

I tried finding work but my Italian is still not to any employer's liking and being a non-resident they have to pay more in way of tax and insurance for me if they do hire me and no place is willing to take that chance with me thus far and so I'm trying to benefit from my creative side. After 3-4 years of trying this is may be my last hoorah. After this, if this doesnt work, I don't know how I am meant to help contribute more to bills or even actually DO anything with my life here. I want to be able to contribute to this life and to feel like I'm also making lives better or happy whether it's creating one-off gorgeous baby items people love or (on the side) making free donated items for cancer & post-op patients and premature babies for any local hospitals that will accept them. I don't want to feel like a failure anymore and I cant stand feeling like a pointless entity.

The help I'm asking for (and I don't do this lightly) will help get me a new machine and cover the little items I need to go along with the new machine and is needed to achieve what I want to make which I am hoping to get an All-In-One machine, a sewing machine/serger that also does embroidery work. The machine, thread, feet, needles, bobbins, kam snap/tool etc. etc. maybe, if I'm lucky, maybe even some extra fabric. I would even happily send something in kind as a thank you be it an item or two of jewellery or plush as away of thank you if I can cover postage I wouldn't see it an issue at all for your kindness you would only need to contact me via the link to the right here and I'd happily discuss potential donation gift. 😊 -->

Honestly every little helps and would be greatly appreciated. Whilst you may be choosing to forgo a take-out coffee one morning, for me, your generous contribution adds up and would help towards something amazing that will make a huge difference.

Thank you so much for reading this far, thank you for your time and your consideration and even if you can't donate please PLEASE share because someone you know might be able to.

Much love and hope, Kat