BY ANY MEANS

DIY or Die is the motto I have been living by ever since I was little. My family migrated from Nigeria and I remember having to create a makeshift webcam stand to talk to my cousins who were still living back home. I wanted to show them all the new toys and stationary I had to fulfill my 8 year old creative needs.

Years later, I am about to graduate university and throw myself into the world of homeware, especially rugs. The idea of home and what makes a home sparks memories of all the different homes I've had across two continents, the memories that comfort me, the people I've encountered in my 22 years on our giant home in space, Earth. I think creativity is something that connects us all; the urge to make something of your life or do something with your time, the urge to redecorate your room and change up your hair, these are all relatable creative ideas that we have. What turns those ideas into reality are the means.

I'm no carpenter, but like Martin I had a dream, and I would achieve it by any means. When acquiring the tools and instruments needed to create your hapiness, it sure helps if your boyfriend works at a B&Q (a haven for DIY building dreams) and has a staff discount! Apart from my amazing webcam stand when I was 8, I had no clue how to use building tools like saws, drills and plywood, but I wanted to make rugs so I would figure it out. Being very ADHD, I tend to find an activity I like and hyperfocus on it, sometimes to a fault... As a creative, I see my ADHD as a blessing because it gives me the energy to blaze through life learning new hobbies and creating new things. My home is full of so much...STUFF! In a book titled Art Direction Explained At Last, the authors list that to be a good art director, one must have a collectors mentality so I guess I'm on track? Either way, I'm happy amidst all my things.

As a graphic designer, I have spent my last 4 years at university trying to figure out a good work/play balance. How do I keep myself happy when play often includes doing things others might consider work, like designing a logo or a presentation, these are things I find fun and doing them brings me joy. However if being a freelance or employed designer means these things become tainted with stress, clients, and deadlines, play might not be as fun anymore. So I felt lucky to take an interest into tufting. It is a practice I could use for income, and that utilised my graphic design knowledge slightly, but is definitely a more hands-on tactical practice so it feels distinguished from sitting on photoshop for hours. After 4 years of that, it feels really liberating using my hands to create again (along with all my tools and my stuff!)

Sometimes it feels like things just happen in life, but the truth is it is our actions that lead us to where we are. Using all the tools in your arsenal, whether it be a pair of scissors or a neurodivergent brain, if you pursue the thing that brings you the most joy and that you are most passionate about, you're sure you succeed.

I'm only 2 months into the tufting world but I'm already knee-deep in yarn and ready to open my online shop soon!