In 2016 my youngest son, who is autistic, was diagnosed with a rare lymphoma aged 14 years old. I took voluntary redundancy to become his full-time carer and during an incredibly difficult, high-stress period of hospital visits and treatments, I found that crafting was vital for my own mental health and well-being, it offered a quiet, grounding space to process everything. Needing to supplement our family's income while staying at home to care for my son, I took a leap of faith and began selling my handmade pieces online in 2017, initially under the name Adventure Accessories before evolving into Sarah Lou Crafts in 2023.

I was then diagnosed with my own cancer in September 2025 and continued to run my small business through my treatment as it was a much needed boost to my mental health and wellbeing to have such a positive focus and motivation to keep going.