About us
Hi, I am Trecia Filer the creator of Inspired to Make. A retired English teacher, married with two grown daughters living in a Victorian red-brick town house on the edge of the Cotswolds in England. In my autumn years, I have found myself with more time on my hands. I have always loved crafting and 25-years ago, when I was home with my girls, I was a Creative Memories consultant. I would deliver scrapbooking workshops in the evenings helping others to treasure and store their precious photographs in a creative and imaginative way. The lovely stamps, cutting tools and albums have worn the test of time as I still use these regularly today.
I found crafting was a way to relax and engage my creative side delving into book binding, making my own journals/notebooks and encouraging others to read, write and be creative. I brought crafts into the classroom such as diary writing, decoupaging and making zines. When ultimately, I made the decision to retire early, I indulged my creative self and surrendered to my passion for junk journalling. I find joy mooching around charity shops and antique centres looking for ephemera and old books. I am resolute in repurposing, recycling and reusing paper and cardboard packaging including cereal boxes. No one in our household is allowed to throw any away, especially window envelopes and A3 cardboard packaging which I turn into journals, notebook covers and decorative pockets.
I discovered that stepping away from the digital world and focusing on creative tasks, using my hands to make something beautiful that I wanted to keep, increased my feeling of wellbeing and joy – I was proud of what I had made and I wanted to show it to others. Decorating pages in my personal journal gave me permission to step away from the noise and negative chaos life can sometimes be and mindfully be in the moment. My time and energy had produced something beautiful, personal and meaningful to me – something I couldhold and treasure not suck my time and leave me with nothing as digital devices often do. I wanted to share that feeling with other people.
And so Inspired to Make was born.
Not only a monthly mail subscription but also a place to purchase journal kits and supplies with video instructions to help inspire others to create treasures to keep for themselves. Nostalgic, traditional and vintage with a return to nature using hand drawn botanicals and animal images and heritage colours: think William Morris and his colour palette. A return to texture; wrinkled aged paper, imperfect edges, ribbon and lace, embellishments and ephemera; calming colours to bring a return to slowing down and enjoying the making process.
Now I say we, as I couldn’t have started this business by myself. Beth my daughter, a graduate in digital marketing, is head of design and marketing helping to realise our brand and reach others. My husband is a continual encourager and supporter who bought me a Go Pro camera to film my videos and provide professional photos. My friends and wider family also support my business, being my testers for the mail envelopes, providing feedback, joining me for workshops and helping me to pack envelopes for the monthly subscriptions. Inspired to Make would never have been born without all their dedication and support – thank you.
Finally, I don't believe creativity should be something reserved for people who consider themselves ‘artistic’. I don't believe journalling needs to be complicated or perfect as it is deeply personal; sometimes creativity is simply a few quiet minutes with your hands busy and your mind allowed to rest. It’s the joy of discovering that even in a busy life, we can make space for ourselves. Each month, I hope our mail envelope brings a little inspiration, a little creativity and a little time to slow down.
Because sometimes, we don't need to make more time for everything else. We need to make a little time for ourselves.
That is the heart of Inspired to Make.
Create · Journal · Keep