The Story Behind Crafts by JMMC

Crafts by JMMC began in 2013 in a small first apartment where creating holiday decorations became a way to bring comfort into a difficult season. Money was tight and the holidays felt heavy, so crafting became a quiet place to breathe and make something joyful out of simple materials. The year before, in 2012, I had made a scrapbook for my dad for Father’s Day, and that project planted the first seed of how meaningful handmade items could be. Those early pieces were shared with family and friends who encouraged the idea that handcrafted items carried a special kind of warmth.

Before the business had a name, diaper cakes became the first creations I made for customers who were complete strangers. They were thoughtful, personal gifts that reached people outside my circle of friends and family. Making them showed me that my work could connect with the general public and that handmade items could bring joy to people I had never met. That experience helped build the confidence that crafting could become something more than a hobby.

The true beginning came with gnomes. During a quiet night shift a coworker suggested trying them, and four little characters were made with curiosity and a touch of whimsy. Each one had its own personality and charm. They were posted online and sold the very same night. That moment became the spark that pushed Crafts by JMMC forward. It showed that people connect deeply with items made with intention and care.

As the business grew, the Cricut became the next step in the journey. It opened the door to custom apparel, decals, ornaments, keychains, and thoughtful home accents. It allowed more detail, more personalization, and more ways to bring ideas to life.

From there resin found its place in the craft room. It began as a simple way to seal keychains, adding shine and durability to the pieces I was already making. Over time it became something much more meaningful. Resin opened the door to memorial work, allowing me to create pieces that hold ashes, hair, or fur with gentleness and respect. There are not many people in the area who work with such delicate materials, and I take pride in offering families a safe and caring way to preserve memories in a piece they can carry with them.

The laser arrived next and expanded what was possible even further. Wood became a canvas for engraved pieces that carried the same heart as the handmade items that came before. Each new tool added another layer to the creative journey.

Today Crafts by JMMC continues to grow. I am slowly teaching myself how to sew, adding another skill to the craft room. I am also patiently awaiting the arrival of a UV printer, a tool that will take my products to an entirely new level and open the door to techniques that feel exciting and full of potential.

Every item is crafted slowly and thoughtfully in Timmins with attention to detail and a genuine love for creating something meaningful. Whether it is a gnome with its own story, a custom engraved piece, a memorial resin keepsake, a scrapbook filled with memories, or a unique handmade item for a special occasion, each creation carries the same heart that started it all in that tiny apartment.

Crafts by JMMC is still evolving. I am eager to keep learning, exploring new techniques, and expanding the kinds of items I create. Every project is an opportunity to grow, and every finished piece is a reminder of why this journey began. My goal is simple. I want to make things that feel warm, personal, and at home in the hands of the people who choose them.