Sewing has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember.

Before I became a special education teacher, I had already started two sewing businesses, never imagining that one day I’d return to my first love with such deep purpose and passion.

In the final years of my teaching career, I often wondered what would come next. I wasn’t ready to sit still — my hands longed to create, and my heart longed to serve in a new way.

That answer came unexpectedly, after the loss of a coworker’s grandmother. I created a keepsake pillow for her, featuring a photo of three generations of women. When I gave it to her, she cried. Not just tears of sadness, but tears of comfort, love, and memory. That moment changed everything for me.

I realized then that sewing could be a way to help others hold onto the people and moments that matter most — to preserve stories, legacies, and love in a tangible, meaningful way.

So in the middle of the chaos and uncertainty of COVID — during my final year of teaching — I opened an Etsy shop. I didn’t have much funding, but I had bins full of fabric scraps, a sewing machine, and a heart full of hope. I stitched together gifts, memories, and dreams. And slowly, piece by piece, Keepsakes By Sylvia began to grow.

Starting a business at 59, especially in the e-commerce world, has come with its share of challenges. Technology, marketing, social media — whew! It’s been a wild ride. But even on the hard days, I wouldn’t trade this for anything. Because I’ve seen firsthand how a loved-one's clothes transformed to keepsakes and , sewn with love, can bring peace, comfort, and joy.

In 2022, I took a leap of faith and launched Keepsakes By Sylvia full-time. Today, I feel so honored to create custom keepsakes that help families celebrate love, honor legacies, and cherish the moments that matter most.

Thank you for being here. I can't wait to help you preserve your most precious memories — one stitch at a time.