Every year, Craft Month invites me to pause and look back at the winding path that brought me here, to this quiet, joyful corner of the world where skincare, nature, and craft meet.

This journey hasn’t been a straight line. Like most creative paths, it’s had its fair share of turns and tumbles, experiments and discoveries. But every step has led me closer to something deeply fulfilling, the ability to share my passion for handmade, natural skincare with you.

What continues to inspire me is the opportunity to create with purpose. One of the greatest joys of running a handmade skincare business is the chance to connect with people on a personal level and to craft something that feels just right for them. Whether I’m blending a balm for sensitive skin, adjusting ingredients to suit allergies, or simply sharing advice, these moments of connection are what fuel my work. There’s nothing quite like seeing someone’s face light up when they find a product that truly works for them.

When I step into the studio, surrounded by the grounding scent of essential oils and the soft hum of rural life outside, I feel deeply connected to where I come from. My roots are steeped in a culture that values both tradition and nature, and continue to shape every part of Hawthorn Skincare.

This business is more than products on a shelf, it’s an extension of who I am.

Our studio sits nestled within an officially designated Area of Special Conservation and Natural Heritage Area, alongside the tranquil shores of Lough Carra. This landscape, with its ancient limestone, wildflowers, and calm waters, reminds me daily of the responsibility we hold to protect what we’re part of. Sustainability isn’t a trend for us, it’s a way of life, rooted in gratitude and a deep sense of stewardship.

Craft Month feels like a beautiful celebration of all of this. The handmade process. The personal connections. The small decisions that build something meaningful over time.

So here’s to another year of crafting handmade products. To doing things slowly and intentionally. To staying rooted in what matters most. And to you for being part of this journey.