My Personal Journey – Laurie’s Story
Hi friends — Laurie here!
A lot of you have asked me about the tattoo on my hand, so I thought I’d take a moment to share what it means, along with a little bit about my personal journey. I also want to say thank you — truly — for your interest in my story, my vision, and everything that Unique in the Creek stands for. It means the world to me.
The Tattoo
The tattoo is an infinity symbol with a heartbeat, and for me, it represents strength and perseverance — two things I’ve needed in abundance throughout my life.
The Health Journey
To be honest, my health has been... well, let’s just say a wild ride. My husband lovingly jokes that I’m “God’s little experiment” because I’ve had some truly rare and strange medical conditions over the years. I’ve endured over 20 surgeries, including three spinal surgeries in recent years.
After one of those surgeries, I actually woke up paralyzed from the waist down. My spinal cord had fused inside my spinal column, and they had to de-tether it twice. After the second surgery, I wasn’t recovering well — I couldn’t lift my head from the pillow for a week. It wasn’t until my best friend came to visit and saw a massive lump forming on my back that we realized something was seriously wrong. Back to the hospital I went — this time, it turned out that spinal fluid was leaking, causing pressure issues in my brain.
That third surgery was excruciating. They had to remove bones from my spinal column. I wouldn’t wish that kind of pain on anyone.
To this day, my legs still give out if I push myself too hard — especially as I get older. I can’t sit upright for long periods, and I have to self-catheterize eight times a day because my bladder no longer functions. After 25 years as an Administrative Coordinator at a university, I had to retire — not by choice, but because I just couldn’t do it anymore.
At first, I fell into a dark place. I found myself watching Judge Judy all day, feeling hopeless and depressed. One day I had a career, a purpose — and the next, nothing. I knew I couldn’t stay in that space. I had to reinvent myself at 45.
The Birth of UITC™
I’ve always been a crafter at heart, so I started making burlap wreaths from my recliner. But the mess and the fibers from the burlap started affecting my breathing (pro tip: please wear a respirator when working with burlap!).
I missed people. I missed talking, teaching, and being part of something. So, I started hosting wreath-making classes in small rented halls. My husband and kids helped set everything up, and I’d teach others how to create beautiful wreaths — it brought me back to life.
But as interest grew, people wanted to make the more vibrant, deco mesh wreaths. The problem? Teaching beginners to use traditional wire frames was nearly impossible — and I couldn’t physically manage those frames from my recliner.
That’s when the lightbulb went off. In the middle of the night, I started sketching — scribbling out ideas in a notebook beside my bed. I envisioned a new kind of wreathing system — one that was accessible, easy, and joyful. After lots of testing, tweaking, and teaching, the UITC™ Wreath Board System was born.
I’ve now been teaching this method for over two years, and let me tell you — the best part is always the look on someone’s face when they finish their first wreath and say:
“I made that!”
Why It Matters
In this tech-driven world, so many people have lost touch with the joy of creating something with their own hands. That’s why DIY crafting is booming — people are craving connection, creativity, and a sense of accomplishment.
I’ve seen it work for everyone — kids, men, seniors, people with disabilities, even folks who swore they weren’t "crafty" at all. I’ve shown them they can do it, and I’ve watched their confidence grow with every loop of mesh and twist of a zip tie.
Back to the Tattoo...
(Yes, I ramble — but it all connects, I promise!)
I got the tattoo on my right hand so I see it every day. It’s a reminder that I am strong, I can overcome, and that it’s going to take a lot to knock me down. When the pain hits, when I’m overwhelmed, I look at it and tell myself:
Take a break. Regroup. Don’t give up. You’re a fighter.
And let me say this — I wouldn’t be here today without my family. They’ve cared for me, supported me, and picked me up when I couldn’t do it on my own. Without them, I truly believe I could have ended up lost — physically, emotionally, even mentally.
From Passion to Purpose
My dream of teaching the world to wreath is becoming a reality — and it’s all because of people like YOU. You believed in me. You took a chance on my invention, my system, and my story. You helped me turn my darkest chapter into a mission.
I always say:
“I’m making the world a prettier place, one wreath at a time.”
And it’s true. With everything going on in the world, when I pull into my driveway and see a cheerful sunflower wreath on my front door, it brings me joy — every single time. I want that for everyone.
To Anyone Struggling
If you’re going through something right now, I hope my story reminds you that there’s still hope. You’re not alone. Don’t give up.
Find something you love — and go for it.
If this story inspires even one person, it was worth sharing.
And if it resonates with you, I’d love it if you shared it — let’s spread the message that no matter what life throws at us... we can always rise.
With love and gratitude,
Laurie 💛