toWhom – A Journey Through Creativity, Art and Healing
Welcome to my blog!
Today I would like to share with you the story behind toWhom – how art helped me through a difficult time after being diagnosed with breast cancer and why this shop with a heart was created. Perhaps you will find some inspiration, courage or comfort in my story.
The First Steps: How toWhom Began in Colombia
In 2017, it all started with a simple wish: to find special and thoughtful gifts. In Bogotá (Colombia), many of the gift ideas on the internet were often not very original or personalised. We were among those who liked to give gifts based on knowledge of the recipient. So we decided to get creative ourselves and design gift packages that would meet these preferences.
With a small budget, but a lot of heart and soul, we put together loving gift sets for friends, family and babies. The name toWhom came from the question: “Who is the gift for? What does this person like? Our ideas were well received – and we soon welcomed our first customers.
But then life took us in a new direction and we decided to move to Germany in search of new opportunities and a different lifestyle.
A New Home in Germany
We arrived in Munich in 2018 with four suitcases, a lot of hope and a little fear. The city offered everything we had hoped for: security, nature and new career prospects. While my husband looked hard for a job, I started a German course full of motivation.
But sometimes life writes stories we never dreamed of. Breast cancer knocked on the door of our new home – and turned everything upside down.
Suddenly it was: goodbye German course, hello medical terminology and a deep dive into the German healthcare system.
As the doctors talked about genetic tests, CT scans, contrast agents, MRIs, operations and chemotherapy, my head felt like it was stuck in an endless loop. My thoughts went round and round. How had I gone so quickly from being nervous before a job interview to fearing the test results?
This chapter of my life wasn’t planned – but it brought new perspectives, important lessons and an inner strength I didn’t know I had. Because sometimes courage comes when life challenges us the most.
Art as a Medicine
It was during this struggle that I discovered crochet. With each amigurumi I created, I found comfort and a way to calm my soul. Creativity became my anchor and I began to experience art as a cure for breast cancer.
This passion for handwork and art carried me through two more cancer diagnoses. Despite the setbacks, crocheting amigurumis and other creative activities gave me new energy and hope – a source of strength that kept me going.
The Rebirth of toWhom
Today, after all these experiences, I come back to my original idea: toWhom should be more than just an online shop for creative gifts. It should be a place that inspires people to give with love and empathy – and to give hope at the same time.
Our goal is to invest a portion of our earnings in art kits for people with breast cancer to bring a smile to their difficult moments (our initiative <artesana>). While drugs and doctors can heal the body and spiritual support can give hope, art provides a meditative space that gives inner strength and peace.
Why toWhom?
toWhom stands for individuality, creativity and kindness. Each gift carries the message that small gestures can make a big difference. In Spanish, the word ‘artesana‘ refers to a person who makes handmade objects. In my case, art (arte) has helped me to heal (sana).
I invite you to join me on this journey – a journey through art, healing and the joy of giving.