Like the adage, “when someone you love becomes a memory the memory becomes a treasure”, a Helderberg mom realised the precious value of personalised keepsake mementos for remembering a loved one.
Elaine Geldenhuys offers the gift of priceless comfort in the form of sentimental keepsakes, which are lovingly custom-made in memory of a deceased spouse, sibling, child or relative. The 41-year-old boasts a profitable initiative, which started as a means to support a bereaved friend who was battling to cope with the loss of her mother. The entrepreneur gifted the friend a bear that was handmade from her late mother’s jersey, and the gesture snowballed.
Last year, Geldenhuys made an astonishing 174 keepsakes, among other custom-order toys, including rag dolls offered by Snuggle Bug Goodies, a gift shop which the Somerset West resident established in 2012, when she ventured into business while expecting her firstborn. She initially made sock monkeys, which were later supplied to various monkey and animal sanctuaries in large volumes. The offering gradually evolved with the addition of bears, which was inspired by the baby-room decor for her eldest son. A request from a friend to personalise a bear to include embroidered details of her child’s birth led to keepsake teddies made from baby clothing, which would otherwise be stored away. The one-of-a-kind keepsakes adopted a more sentimental approach when Elaine relocated from Kempton Park to Cape Town and made the Helderberg their home while expecting her second son in 2016. “My first memento teddy was for my friend, whose mother had died from diabetes, with the message ‘This is a shirt I used to wear, whenever you hold it know that I am there’ embroidered on the front,” Geldenhuys recalled.
She pointed out that every keepsake is unique and takes a lot of planning – from what will look best, and where and what will work to eventually cutting out the pattern. “Each keepsake item, bear or toy, is created with utmost care and precision. One doesn’t want to waste or cut the beloved’s clothing as every last bit is special. The personalisation, loving touch and special design add to the uniqueness.”
The doting mom of two prides herself in being able to help those who are struggling to part with a loved one or are storing children’s clothing in a box. “Making people happy doing what I enjoy is what brings me most satisfaction.” She reaps the rewards of having nurtured her passion for sewing by studying fashion design at the University in Pretoria.
