My parents imprinted a love of making on my heart without knowing it. I love them so much for it.

MY ROOTS

I am my mother & father’s daughter. My father spent 20 years in the Army and my mom was a civil servant who even spent time in Iraq. I don’t think they’ve ever really thought about it, but at their hearts, they’ve always been makers.

Mom never liked waste, and out of necessity adopted the attitude that we could make many things just as well or better than their store-bought counter parts. I remember mom tie dyeing everything, making macrame plant holders, fashioning jewelry out of silverware, cutting newspaper to make a paper mache piñata for my birthday, and painting furniture to give pieces new life.

My dad was a welder when we were young, and would make these amazing figures with nuts, bolts, screws and anything else he could find around the shop. He was also a meticulous ceramicist. We still have some beautiful pieces that have survived moving from Virginia, to Germany, to Missouri.

My brother and I inherited some of their making spirit…definitely the joy of it. Crafting things and sharing them with friends and family have kept me sane in this insane time.

FURAHA means joy is Swahili. Everything I make is part of a small batch. I only make things that bring me happiness, with the intention of spreading joy to the receiver. The items aren’t extraordinary, but they are all conceived and executed with love and care.