The story behind Goodly

It all started with a trip to Italy, a horrible boss and a 6yr old kid.

I went on a trip to Genova and had the best time, perfect gelato and a impressive array of art on display. I came back and wondered why we can't have these goodies more accessible where we live? So I focused on finding more about the story behind the beautiful art, and learned how to make gelato.

I then came back to a job that I loved but also a horrible boss. I decided it's time for me to focus on what I really love in life and stop wasting my time in a job that is draining life out of me. So I quit my job and started doing more of the things I love. Cross-stitching, making (and eating!) gelato, and planning trips to exciting destinations.

That's where it all came together, and I wanted to share all this with people around me. My 6yr old son used to say "I want to do this goodly", which although it isn't really correct English, I loved this expression and what it refers to. So when I thought about creating a space for all things well made, I found no better name than "Goodly"!

My name is Shaimaa, UK based but born and raised in Egypt. I've been working as a researcher and Linguist for over 20 years, and obtained my PhD in Linguistics in 2017. I've worked in Academia, corporates and as a freelancer. I loved it all and learned a lot about researching topics, managing projects and connecting with people. However, I've now reached a point where I want to focus on doing more of what I love.

I've always loved collecting pieces that carry meaning and denote cultural values from different places I visit. I also love exploring new places with a focus on the culture rather than just touristic sightseeing. My designs are unique and all inspired by famous motifs from different parts of the world. Everything here is handmade and ethically sourced and produced. And all the stories I share about my travels are based on real-life experiences.

So please join me in exploring my Goodly space, feel free to choose a couple of my products and I'll happily create it for you :)