Why These Dragons Exist — And Why These Last 4 Days Mean Everything

Hi everyone,

As we enter the final 4 days of this campaign, I want to share something deeply personal — the real heart behind the Astoria Kingdom Dragon Collection.

Before I ever picked up a needle and thread, I was a registered nurse. I spent years as a hospice nurse and oncology nurse, caring for people and families during some of the hardest moments of their lives. Nursing wasn’t just a job — it was a calling. A way of offering comfort, safety, and compassion when people needed it most.

And that calling didn’t start with me.
My mom was a nurse for over 35 years. I grew up watching her care for others with strength, tenderness, and grace. Healing is something she passed down to me. It’s in our blood.

But when my health began to decline, everything changed.

I live with Ehlers‑Danlos syndrome, mast cell activation syndrome, POTS, and two rare diseases — MALS and ankylosing spondylitis. Each one brings its own challenges, and together they shape every part of my daily life.

There are days when my hips and spine ache so intensely that simply standing feels impossible. Days when my temperature swings wildly and I can’t get warm or cool no matter what I do. Days when my brain fog is so heavy I lose things constantly — even things I just set down. And there are days when my body feels unsafe, like it’s working against me, and I’m left trying to find comfort in a world that suddenly feels too sharp.

I also go through monthly infusions and injections, and those moments can be frightening. Sitting in a cold medical chair, preparing for a needle or waiting for medication to drip in, can feel lonely and overwhelming. I wanted something soft to hold. Something comforting. Something that made me feel less alone when I was scared.

Losing the ability to continue nursing broke my heart. I could no longer heal patients in the way I once did.

So I found another way.

For the past seven years, I’ve poured a little piece of my heart into every plushie I make — with the hope that giving a piece of my heart can help heal someone else’s hurting heart. These dragons became my way of continuing to care for others, even when my body couldn’t carry me through a hospital hallway anymore.

And that’s where the dragons of Astoria Kingdom were born.

🌌Norrhys Twilight Aurora Dragon — He is the calm in the storm

He represents the nights I needed peace — a soft, celestial reminder that even in the dark, there is beauty. His belly pocket was inspired by my own need for hot and cold packs during painful flare‑ups and long infusion days.

🌿 Thistlefoot Forest Guardian Dragon — He is the protector I wished I had

He embodies grounding and safety — the feeling I longed for on days when my body felt fragile. His leafy wings and gentle presence remind me that softness can still be strong, and that comfort can be carried with you.

💛 Opaliath Gemheart Dragon — She is the light that refuses to go out

She is hope. Warmth. Resilience. A reminder that even when everything hurts, even when the world feels heavy, there is still something bright inside us worth holding onto. Her treasure‑ready belly pocket is a place to tuck away the things that matter most.

These dragons are more than plushies. They are companions for anyone who needs comfort, grounding, or a spark of magic on the hard days — including the days spent in infusion chairs, waiting rooms, or anywhere courage is needed.

✨ And the Accessories That Complete the Kingdom

The holographic keychains, enamel pins, and whimsical stickers were created for the moments when carrying a plush isn’t possible — but carrying a reminder of comfort is. They’re small pieces of magic for pockets, bags, journals, and everyday life.

⏳ 4 Days Left — And I’m So Grateful You’re Here

This project has been a way to turn struggle into something gentle and beautiful. A way to keep healing hearts, even when I could no longer do it in a hospital room. A way to create comfort for others while searching for it myself. A way to carry forward the legacy of care I inherited from my mom — the belief that healing can take many forms.

If you’ve been thinking about pledging, or adding a dragon or accessory to your reward, these last 4 days are your moment. Every pledge helps bring this world to life — and helps these dragons find the homes they were created for.

Thank you for believing in this dream.

Thank you for giving these dragons a chance to exist.

And thank you for giving someone like me — navigating a body that doesn’t always cooperate — a place to keep healing in my own way.

🐉💖
With all my heart,
Amanda