HOPEsticks began long before I ever imagined it would become a windchimes business.

In 2019, I found myself in one of the darkest periods of my life, struggling with depression, anxiety, and intense social anxiety. One day, I picked up a stick and started whittling. I didn't know what I was doing, and I certainly wasn't trying to create a business. I simply discovered that when my hands were busy, my mind became a little quieter.

I kept whittling.

Those first sticks became walking sticks. Walking sticks led to handmade crosses, small woodworking projects, and eventually wind chimes. Then I discovered bamboo—and something about its natural beauty and gentle, peaceful sound captured my heart.

That's where HOPEsticks truly found its purpose.

HOPE stands for Having Only Positive Expectations.

Today, every HOPEsticks wind chime is handcrafted one at a time using bamboo and other thoughtfully chosen components. Some are left beautifully natural. Others are given rich, rustic finishes. Some celebrate love and belonging through the Pride Collection, while the Bamboozled Collection lets me have a little fun, turning unexpected themes, characters, hobbies, and interests into one-of-a-kind conversation pieces.

But no matter which collection a chime belongs to, the heart behind it remains the same.

What started as something I did to find peace during a difficult time has become something I can share with others. My hope is that when you hang a HOPEsticks wind chime, you don't just see something handmade or hear the soothing sound of bamboo. I hope it reminds you that beautiful things can grow from difficult places, that our stories don't have to end in their darkest chapters, and that sometimes HOPE begins with something as simple as picking up a stick and starting.

Every chime carries a story.
Every sound carries HOPE.

— Annamo ❤️