About
MEET JESSICA
Hello, and thank you for visiting my page! What started as a hobby turned into something I never imagined. I am beyond blessed to have this opportunity and look forward to continuing my journey.
A question that is always asked. "So, do you actually live in a house in the trees?" No, I don't live in a literal tree house! The name for my business came from a song title written by one of my favorite artists. Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness sings a song that says, "If you crash and nobody sees, just remember there will always be a room for you in my house in the trees." Click here to take a listen!
A few years back I moved out to South Carolina to start a new life journey. Little did I know that covid was on its way and that prevented me from finding a good job and becoming stable in my new environment. Although I will say that Andrew McMahon was the one and only concert I saw in Charleston while living there! After careful consideration, I made the choice to come back home to Washington. My best friend and I had a phone call where we were brainstorming my move back home. She said, "there is room for you in my house in the trees." Something about the song made me smile and realize that no matter how far away you go, you can always come home. And for me, home is here in the PNW surrounded by trees, lakes, and mountains!
THE START OF HOUSE IN THE TREES
On February 10, 2022, my husband was shot in the line of duty. He came close to losing one of his eyes and has undergone 9 surgeries to reattach his retina and repair his cornea that was damaged.
We had been engaged for 9 months at that point, and therefore, I was right in the middle of planning our wedding. To save money, I was determined to make it one big DIY project. And let me note that I was completely on track! However, after his accident, I became very depressed, anxious, and withdrawn. Talking on the phone, responding to text messages, or even just getting out of bed in the morning took all the effort physically, mentally, and emotionally that I had left in me.
My husband was a deputy sheriff and I am a probation officer. Having two of us in law enforcement made our situation even more daunting as we now had a deep mistrust in the people that we interact with daily. I stayed home with him for the greater part of a month, but knew I had to go back to work. On my first day back, I was shaking because my anxiety had reached an all time high. I spoke with a trauma counselor who was able to help me focus on something that made me happy, and brought joy to my life, as opposed to reliving that fateful day over again.
After abandoning my craft room for months, I finally opened the door, dusted off my supplies, and brushed away the cobwebs that had taken over the creative side of my brain. It was then that I started designing and making items for friends and family as holiday gifts. After receiving numerous compliments and positive feedback, I felt a sense of pride and accomplishment that I hadn't felt in a while.
Long story short, crafting healed my soul. It gave me a goal, and a something to look forward to. We live in a crazy world that is full of uncertainties and it is easy to let that steal our joy. Despite the challenges we went through, the biggest take away is that as long as there is still air in our lungs, we are never out of the fight!
I hope you enjoy my products as much as I enjoy making them!
"May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace." Numbers 6:24-26
Be Blessed,
Jessica Lawson-Rathbun
