My name is Mary Inness, and crafting and scrapbooking have been a big part of my life since 2001. Over the years, crafting has brought me so much joy, friendship, and a wonderful community of people.
At the beginning of last year, my husband and I decided to take a dream of mine a little further. We purchased a small barn-style building for our property with the hope of turning it into a welcoming craft space where I could teach scrapbooking, beading, painting, and other craft classes and give people a place to gather, learn, create, and enjoy each other's company.
Sadly, before we were able to finish that dream together, my husband passed away in November 2025. We had been together since 1981 and married for 38 years. He had struggled with serious heart problems for many years, and I had been his caregiver for the last 22 years of his life. I miss him more than words can express, but I find comfort knowing that he is finally at home with God.
After losing him, I decided I wanted to keep going with the little building we had planned together. Finishing it has given me something positive to work toward during one of the hardest times of my life, and I would love to see the dream we shared become a reality.
I have been able to get much of the work done, but I have reached the point where I need a little help. The main things still needed are getting the electricity professionally hooked up and, if possible, installing a small half bathroom so that people attending classes will have a restroom available without having to walk back and forth to my home.
Since my husband's passing, my household income has dropped to approximately two-thirds of what we had coming in before. Between that change, the rising cost of materials and everyday expenses, I am struggling to come up with the final amount needed to complete the building.
Asking for help isn't easy for me. I spent many years caring for my husband, and now I am trying to figure out this next chapter of my life while continuing something that we started together.
If you are able to contribute anything toward helping me finish this little craft space, I would be incredibly grateful. No amount is too small. If you aren't able to donate, sharing this fundraiser would mean just as much to me.
My hope is that this building will become a happy, welcoming place where people can gather around a table, make something beautiful, learn something new, laugh together, and build friendships through creativity.
Thank you for taking the time to read my story, for your prayers, and for helping me continue a dream that my husband and I began together.
With love and gratitude,
Mary Inness
