From Our Journey to Yours – The Hearts Behind Crafted Crowns

AMANDAS STORY

Alopecia first stepped into my life in March 2024, its presence marked by a small, unsettling patch of hair missing near my ear. Soon, I discovered another patch at the back of my head. At first, I convinced myself that this loss was simply due to tying my hair too tightly with extensions, so I decided to remove them, hoping my hair would rejuvenate.

But within three weeks, I had woken up to one side of my head looking as if it had been shaved clean, and the patch i had underneath expanded. It was a moment of heartbreaking realization of the challenge I was about to face.

Desperate for answers, I sought medical help, attended specialist appointments, and received a final diagnosis of alopecia ophiasis.
I vividly recall asking the doctor if I would lose my hair, her reply: "I don’t know." My treatment began that day with over 20 steroid injections into my scalp, but with each passing week brought more clumps of hair falling away, new patches forming, and a grim reality: there were no cures—only treatments.

I found myself in a world filled with constant blood tests, trials of various medications, and a relentless cycle of injections every few weeks. All the while, I continued to run my hair salon, desperately trying to uplift others while dealing with my own insecurities. Each day became a painful emotional struggle, starting each day with tearful mornings spent sat on my bathroom floor, surrounded by clumps of my own hair, looking at my hands that where completely covered in hair and feeling physically ill at the sight of my hairbrush full of more hair. Then having to pull myself together to get ready for work for the day.

Client would comment like, "Oh, why don’t have your extensions in anymore," or "When are you getting your extensions back?" it pierced my heart, oblivious to the silent battle I fought daily. Each remark felt like a dagger, making me wish to disappear from the world.

By September, my situation had got worse, and it felt like a loosing battle . No medication, diet, or doctor seemed to make it stop . For the first time in my life, I felt utterly powerless and lost. Normally a fierce fighter, I began to wonder if this was my breaking point. I felt shattered, exhausted from the relentless search for answers and mentally drained by my new morning routine. My body seemed to betray me, with no end in sight. I was left to navigate this painful new reality, enduring comments like, "Just shave your hair," or "Don’t stress; it will make it worse." “At least It’s just hair”

In this whirlwind of uncertainty, I realized I had to explore wig options. Initially resistant to the idea…perhaps due to my background as a hairdresser…. I found myself scrutinizing every imperfection, deeming them unrealistic. After countless searches for a suitable wig, a spark of inspiration ignited within me: why not create something of our own?

I reached out to Kate with the idea, and together, we embarked on a mission to craft something extraordinary. The thought of others enduring similar struggles, feeling lost without the knowledge of wigs or hair, filled me with compassion. I couldn’t imagine anyone else having to ever facing the isolation I had felt.

This is why Crafted Crowns became more than just a line of wigs and hairpieces; it represents my desire for perfection and my mission to help others reclaim what was taken from them. I want to empower individuals to wear the most beautiful wigs possible. I wanted Crafted Crowns to become a personalised safe space where no one will ever be told, "It’s just hair."

This is my commitment at Crafted Crowns….to restore a piece of what was lost, to uplift and inspire, and to create incredible wigs that make our customers feel whole again. It’s this purpose that fuels my passion, reminding me every day of the strength found in vulnerability and the beauty of connection.

If you're someone dealing with alopecia or have faced it in the past, take a moment to give yourself a pat on the back. This condition affects so much more than just your hair; it's a daily emotional and mental struggle that many people may never fully grasp. Each day can feel like a constant battle, but I understand. I've lived through it, experienced every moment, and I know the strength and courage it takes to persevere. It's essential to remind yourself of this.

KATES STORY

Hair has always been my passion, my career, and my creative outlet…but I never expected my relationship with it to change so drastically. When I was diagnosed with stage 3 ovarian cancer, my mind raced with fears about treatment, but one of my very first thoughts was, Will I lose my hair? It was the first question I asked my oncologist: Is there a way to keep it?

I was introduced to the cold cap, a -4°C cooling cap designed to reduce hair loss during chemotherapy. It meant extending my treatment days by an extra two and a half hours, but I was willing to endure the discomfort if it meant keeping my hair. I stocked up on cheap wigs….just in case but deep down, I held onto hope that I wouldn’t need them…

That hope was shattered a week after my first round of chemo. I gently tried to wash my hair, but it matted instantly. The more I tried to brush through it, the worse it became. Within minutes, clumps of hair filled my bathroom sink. I sat on the bathroom floor, staring at the strands in my hands, sobbing. I had spent years creating beauty for others, yet here I was, watching my own hair slip away.

Losing my hair wasn’t just about appearance. it was about identity. I was still a hairdresser, still showing up for my clients, but when I looked in the mirror, I didn’t recognize myself. I didn’t want to cover my head with a scarf or a turban….I wanted to feel like me, even when everything else in my life was changing. But styling hair every day while knowing I had lost my own was an emotional battle I wasn’t prepared for.

That’s when I started searching for wigs that could help me feel like myself again. But nothing felt quite right….they were uncomfortable, unrealistic, or simply didn’t give me the confidence I craved. I wore a hat with wigs everyday to disguise the hairline.

THE BIRTH OF CRAFTED CROWNS

Amanda and I already friends and working together in the salon came together through our shared experiences of hair loss during 2024, each of us knowing the heartbreak, the frustration, and the struggle of trying to find a wig that truly felt right. We knew that wigs weren’t just about covering up…they were about restoring confidence, reclaiming identity, and feeling whole again.

That’s why we created Crafted Crowns.

We craft solutions for people navigating the emotional and physical challenges of hair loss. Every piece we create is made with precision, care, and the understanding that this is more than just hair….it’s about you.

Whether you’re facing alopecia, cancer, or any other condition that affects your hair, know that you’re not alone. We’ve been there, we see you, and we’re here to help you find the crown you deserve.