Giving Handmade Only This Year

I've decided to go all handmade this year. I pledge to not buy any store bought gifts this year. All my family and friends will get a knit or crochet item from me.

Over the Thanksgiving holiday, I made my list of who I'm giving gifts to and ideas on what I could make for them. I'm finding it fun to try to figure out what would be a good gift for each. I'm trying to base my selections on the person's personality and what I know of them from what they wear or shown interest in when I post on my Facebook page.

I've gotten a few orders from a few friends and co-workers, like four hats for my friend Judith who needs them for her three boys and husband. Two co-workers want a Seahawks 12th Man hat that I designed.

Another co-worker wants a pair of the Pocketbook Slippers for her son. I made a pair as an example to see how they were made and how they would fit and brought them to work to show off to friends and immediately got a request for a pair. I really liked the ease of which these are made so I've decided to give them as gifts this year.

What are some of your handmade items this year? I'd love to hear from you.

Where has the time gone...the holidays are here again!

Do you find yourself wondering where the time went? I do, I feel like I was just enjoying the long hot summer and now already we are days away from Thanksgiving and a few short weeks away from Christmas! It's amazing how fast the time flies.

I did a lot of knitting this year, but I only signed up for a few shows. I'm hoping next year I will be able to get into more holiday shows. After taking a year off from the craft show and farmer's markets, I think I'm ready to get back into it. I will spend the next few months knitting/crocheting even more so that when spring and summer roll around I will have a nice selection of items to sell.

For this holiday season, I participated in the outdoor Renton Fall Festival in October, and it got completely rained out within a few hours. The rain and wind was so bad, I thought my canopy was going to blow away, even with the weights holding it down.

I also participated for the first time this year in the Emerald Downs Holiday Gift Festival on November 14th and 15th. It was a good experience considering it was my first time there. I didn't make as much as I thought I would, but I figure I'll try again next year and see what happens. My biggest seller were my lip balm key chains. I made a few in the Seahawks colors and I sold almost all of them.

On Saturday, November 21st I will be at the 6th Annual Pre-Black Friday Holiday Bazaar at Renton Technical College from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Some items you will see at this event are:

Skull and Crossbones Headband 100% Acrylic

 

Flower embellished headbands
Grey 100% Acrylic
Maroon 75% Acrylic, 25% Wool

Hat & Fingerless Mitts Set
100% Merino Wool

Pint-Sized Pine Cone Ornaments

Holiday Ball Ornaments

So come on out and get your holiday shopping done early, there will be handcrafted items that will make wonderful unique holiday gifts. Check out the list of vendors that will be there. Also, go to the Facebook page for more information at Pre-Black Friday Holiday Bazaar.