"Amy’s Little Signs”        

It was around the year of 1992 when I was thinking that I had nothing really much going on in my life. Having a husband, children, a home of our own, animals to care for is what I really wanted out of my life the most…. but I was also wanting something more.

Let me tell you a story how I came to have this “Amy’s Little Signs.”

I purchased some clay from the craft store for my son when he was 6 years old. Then I came to the thought of using that to make cute things for the school bazaar. “Ummm… maybe I can make money there…” I earned a small amount there but it was such fun.

My husband suggested that I make the ILY hands, too. “Great idea… I can make those for the earrings and necklaces.”

So, I starting making them and I was so proud of them. I found a set of bags on a ring actually for needlepoint threads and I put all the earrings and necklaces in the bags individually, but together. I brought them wherever I went and they sold very well…

After a few years, one of my friends suggested that I make clocks with the little hands for the ASL numbers. Wow! What a great idea! There I went, making them.

And then I thought of fingerspelling name/message signs!

I had booths at the local special events and they sold very well. I had to make many more. I was thrilled!

I decided to travel to attend big events around the states. My family was kind of hesitant about that but they didn’t stop me. I called around to get information about the booths, and off I went with my van with an used trailer loaded.

Starting in the year of 1995, I traveled off and on for two years. Whoa. That is enough. My relationship with my family and my home started to suffer a little.

I decided I would like to stay home and do business through mail order. Once in a while, I would have the booths at some local events only.

I applied for grants and got the money. I had my own workshop built, my new computer, scanner, new hand molds… a copyright on my creations.

It took me a while to fully develop the business because there was construction going on in my house at the same time, and also I have children which required some of my time and attention, of course.

In 2000 I finally had my own website (www.deafhands.com) set up and people started to order in. Cool! Easy! I liked that and I have been on that path ever since. My business is thriving.

I am still my only employee and I work part time on the side as well to help my husband make the ends meet.

People ask me if I hope for my business to grow large, and to hire some people to work with me in the future… I never really have the answer to that. I guess I am more inclined to stay where I am. If it does happen, then, by all means it would be great… It is simply that the reason for my work is my great love for, and the joy and fulfillment in creating!