How did my little hand-made crochet business begin?

After escaping a very bad situation in Iran (which I refer to as my drunken Mother), I was taken in and adopted by my new Mother - Australia. After Australia took me in and loved me, I needed to work full-time, waitressing in various cafe's as well as study full time, with 2 young children to look after and somewhat limited English ability.

Life was hard and extremely stressful during that time. To get a few hours to myself and get away from the stresses of this new life I was trying to build, I visited a local market. I enjoyed the atmosphere and I really loved looking at all the unique and cute products that I couldn't afford. This became my little get away every now and then when I could afford the time.

After speaking with some kind stall holders in 2016, they introduced me to the manager of the market. I explained that I can make some unique sewn, crochet, and even jewellery products. I told her that I couldn't afford to rent a table strait away, but when I saved enough I would like to attend as a stall holder. The manager told me that she would be happy for me to attend as soon as I feel ready, and she would allow me to pay for my first table after the market. This was one of many acts of kindness which helped my little business begin and grow.

During these first couple of years I continued to attend various markets with whatever little products I could make using every spare minute to make them while not working or studying (being Mum never ended though lol). It seemed that people loved my products, and I really enjoyed these days out. I never really made a profit in those days, it was really just an excuse for a day out, but it did allow me to pay for lunch and a day out for the kids plus other little luxuries. I would buy myself a little 'prize' from one of the unique stallholders at each market as a reward to myself for my efforts.

When I met my love - Adam, he said why don't we build a little website and see if more people might begin to enjoy my products. To start with, we chose the trading name 'Dreamy Decorations', but soon enough Adam came up with the rhyming name 'Neda's Treasures'. Initially we used a picture of a chest with light coming out of it as our brand image, then we then developed a heart logo, but eventually Adam created the famous 'Neda' Logo (did you ever notice the little A for Adam on the N?)

Due to demand I began to build a little team of crochet masters. One lady from Wagga Wagga at first, then another from country South Australia, and so on. As you know all my products are my own design, and we don't work from a pattern.

From a little girl, my favourite colour was a particular shade of dusty pink. Adam became so frustrated trying to find the right shade of pink, but eventually he found it, and the dusty pink you see on the background of our current logo comes from the mind of little Neda all those years ago:)

In 2020 we found a little shop in Bowral and used our savings to set up Neda's Treasures with a permanent home. Unfortunately Covid lockdowns put a quick end to that, and we have been re-building ever since. I really look forward to finding a another permanent home for Neda's Treasures some time in the future, but until then you will find me at various markets as highlighted in 'Market Dates' at the bottom of this page.

And here you are, all these years later reading my story on my little website. A lot has happened since 2016. Now between myself and my team we can make all kinds of crochet items including customised orders, which are still hand-made in Australia, are full of love and cuteness, and now made from sustainable cotton yarn. Thank you for your interest, and I hope to see you at a market one day. Check out the market dates in the footer of this page to see where I will be next. And please sign up for my email newsletter, and follow me on Facebook or Instagram.

Love, love, and again love - Neda.