Hello and welcome! I'm so glad you're here.
My name is Franziska Nguyen, but everyone calls me Frances. I was born and raised in the beautiful city of Bamberg, Germany, and in 2013, I made a big move across the ocean to start a new chapter of my life in the United States. Since then, Arizona has become my home. In 2017, I proudly became a U.S. citizen, and in 2020, I graduated college with an Associate's Degree in Applied Science.
Life has taken me on quite a journey, from growing up in Germany to building a life and family in Arizona. Along the way, I've discovered new passions, learned new skills, and found a way to bring together the things I love most: family, creativity, and making things with my own hands.
Today, those passions are at the heart of Frances Farm & Craft, my small family business, where I create handmade everyday essentials, thoughtful gifts, and natural goat milk skincare products.
From Gardening to Sewing
I've always loved being outdoors. In fact, that's how I met my husband! Today, we're raising two wonderful boys, and our family life keeps us busy in the best possible way.
During my first pregnancy, I discovered a love for gardening. What started as a new hobby quickly became something more. There is something incredibly rewarding about planting a tiny seed, caring for it, and eventually harvesting something you've grown yourself. Gardening taught me to appreciate the time, patience, and care that go into creating something worthwhile.
After our second son was born, I decided to become a stay-at-home mom. I loved being there for my boys, but I also wanted to find a creative hobby that I could enjoy from home and make my own.
My mom, who still lives in Germany, often shared stories about the beautiful things she sewed. Hearing about her projects inspired me to give sewing a try. I started learning, experimenting with fabrics, and figuring things out one project at a time.
Of course, learning a new skill comes with its share of challenges. Not every project turns out exactly as planned, and sometimes you have to try again before you get it right. But that's part of the fun! With every project, I learned something new and became more confident in my abilities.
What began as a hobby gradually grew into a passion. I discovered how much I enjoy choosing fabrics, combining colors and patterns, and turning simple materials into something both beautiful and useful. There is a special satisfaction in taking a piece of fabric and transforming it into something someone can use and enjoy every day.
Eventually, sewing became more than just a way to spend my free time. It became the beginning of something I never imagined when I first sat down at my sewing machine.
Life on Our Little Homestead
Our family lives on a small homestead in Arizona, surrounded by goats, chickens, and dogs. Life here isn't always picture-perfect, and there's always something that needs attention, but I wouldn't trade the experience for anything.
Living on a homestead has helped shape the way I think about everyday life. I appreciate practical things, enjoy making use of what we have, and love finding ways to create things that bring a little more comfort and joy into our home.
Our goats have also played a special role in our family's story.
When our oldest son was a baby, he struggled with eczema. We tried many different products, from store-bought creams to prescription treatments, but we were still searching for something that worked well for his skin. Eventually, we discovered goat milk soap, and we noticed a wonderful improvement in his skin.
That experience introduced us to goat milk products in a whole new way. Since then, they've become a regular part of our family's daily routine.
It also sparked my interest in natural skincare and the simple ingredients that can be part of an everyday self-care routine. What started as a personal search for something that worked for our family eventually became one of the inspirations behind Frances Farm & Craft.
Our family's experience is personal to us, and it has shaped the care and thought I put into the skincare products I offer.
How Frances Farm & Craft Began
In 2023, I decided it was time to take the next step and return to work in a way that fit our family life. With my husband's encouragement and support, I started Frances Farm & Craft.
I wanted to bring together the two things I had grown passionate about: handmade sewing and goat milk skincare. Both felt like a natural extension of my life, my interests, and the things I value.
I began turning my sewing projects into practical products, creating bags and everyday essentials designed to be useful as well as beautiful. Alongside them, I developed a collection of goat milk skincare products inspired by our family's own experience.
Over time, Frances Farm & Craft grew into a place where these different passions could come together. Today, my shop offers handmade bags and accessories, everyday essentials, skincare products, and thoughtful gifts for everyday moments and special occasions.
I love the idea that something handmade can become part of someone's daily routine. A bag that goes everywhere with you, a little accessory that keeps your belongings organized, or a skincare product that becomes part of your evening routine may seem like a small thing, but those little things can make everyday life feel a little more special.
That's what I want my products to offer: a combination of practicality, thoughtful details, and the care that goes into making something by hand.
The Heart Behind Every Handmade Product
When you shop from a small handmade business, you're getting something a little different from a mass-produced product.
Behind every item is time spent choosing materials, working through designs, sewing seams, checking details, and making sure the finished product is something I'm happy to offer. Some projects require more time and patience than others, but I enjoy the process of turning an idea into something real.
Because I make my products in small batches, my shop is always evolving. Fabrics, patterns, and seasonal designs change, which means there is often something new to discover. Sometimes a favorite fabric is no longer available, and a familiar design gets a fresh look with a new print.
I enjoy that creative process because it allows me to keep learning, experimenting, and bringing new ideas to life.
My goal isn't simply to make more things. It's to create products that people will enjoy using, giving, and keeping in their everyday lives.
I also understand how meaningful a thoughtful gift can be. Whether you're shopping for a birthday, a holiday, a little thank-you, or simply something special for yourself, I love creating items that feel personal and useful rather than ordinary.
Every product represents a little piece of the work, creativity, and care that go into running this business.
A Small Family Business With a Big Heart
Even though I run Frances Farm & Craft, I often say "we" when talking about the business. That's because it truly is a family effort.
My husband's encouragement has meant so much to me. Starting a business takes time, patience, and plenty of learning along the way, and having his support has helped me turn an idea into something real.
Our boys are growing up while I build this business, and family life remains an important part of everything I do. I'm grateful that Frances Farm & Craft gives me the opportunity to pursue my own creative goals while continuing to be present for my family.
Running a small business isn't always easy. There are products to make, orders to prepare, materials to organize, and countless little tasks that customers may never see. But there is also a great deal of satisfaction in knowing that the work I do can bring something useful and enjoyable into someone else's life.
I'm proud to be building a small, family-centered business here in the United States, one that reflects my own journey and the values that matter to me.
Thank You for Being Part of Our Story
When I look back, it's amazing to see how different parts of my life have come together. Growing up in Germany, moving to Arizona, starting a family, discovering gardening, learning to sew, and finding our way into goat milk skincare all helped shape the business I have today.
Frances Farm & Craft is more than a shop to me. It's a reflection of the things I love, the skills I've developed, the lessons I've learned, and the life my family and I are building together.
I'm still learning, still creating, and always looking for new ideas to bring into the shop. I hope that when you visit Frances Farm & Craft, you find something that makes you smile, helps simplify your day, or makes the perfect gift for someone you love.
Most of all, I want you to know that there is a real person and a small family behind every order.
Thank you for taking the time to read my story and for supporting Frances Farm & Craft. Every purchase, every visit, and every kind word means a great deal to our family. Your support helps this little business continue to grow and allows me to keep doing what I love.
Thank you for being here and for being part of our journey.
With gratitude,
Frances
Frances Farm & Craft — Handmade everyday essentials and thoughtful gifts, created with care.
